Posted on 05/09/2007 9:27:02 PM PDT by MinorityRepublican
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) condemned the Iraqi government for its failure to resolve security and political problems more expeditiously and predicted that, unless the current troop surge succeeds, U.S. policy will be changed by year's end either by President Bush or congressional action.
McConnell, in an interview for washingtonpost.com's PostTalk program today, offered a harsh assessment of the Iraqi government's performance and made clear that neither the American people nor elected officials have unlimited patience for the U.S. commitment there.
"The Iraqi government hasn't done anything it said it would," McConnell said, pointing to lack of progress on oil revenue sharing and reducing sectarian violence. He added, "I don't think there are many Republican senators who are happy with what happened."
The Republican leader said the GOP's poor performance in the 2006 midterms elections resulted almost entirely from public dissatisfaction with the lack of progress in Iraq and implied that his party would suffer again in 2008 if that election becomes another referendum on Iraq.
"I think the Democrats would like to have another election on Iraq and Republicans would like to avoid it," he said.
The interview, in McConnell's Capitol offices, came hours after he met with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and White House Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten to discuss possible compromises on an Iraq funding bill.
Bush vetoed the first version of the bill because it included a timetable for beginning a troop withdrawal and White House Press Secretary Tony Snow warned today that the president will veto a new House Democratic bill that would provide the requested funding in two stages.
McConnell said he remained optimistic that the funding bill can be approved by the end of the month but offered few details of a potentially workable compromise...
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
We have to demand that Islamic Law be removed from the Iraqi constitution.
Al-Qaeda isn't in Kurdistan or Basra, so I don't know what your "keeping your eye on" there.
It is time to face the music and make some smart decisions. It is time.
We are still close by in order to launch raids against Al-Qaeda in Anbar Province, we take them out rather than occupying the area.
There's no point in trying to occupy a hostile population in 21st Century especially if the local government is not being cooperative with us.
Besides, I want to protect the Kurds from Turkey, we can't just abandon them.
Basra is perhaps the only seaport in Iraq and it's essential that we have control over that city.
What you propose is like trying to rule France by pulling out of Paris, leaving it to the “Youths” and maintaining bases in Alsace-Lorraine.
Bingo. Should have never let Islamic (Islamofascist) Law be a condition in the constitution in the first place and back when it was written we had a lot more leverage. Still, needs to be taken out. Iraq needs to be secularized or, better, Christianized. “Convert them to Christianity”
It's not pulling out rather it's more like a calculated retreat.
It's time for us to make some smart decisions. After all, during the American Civil War, the Union did lose some battles early on and couldn't hold their territory in the South.
I agree. They HAVE to take care of their own messes sooner or later. We can only do so much for them.
Kurdistan is a good start.
"In recent years there has been a significant but growing number of Muslim background Kurds who have converted to Christianity. The growing Kurdish-Speaking Church of Christ (The Kurdzman Church of Christ)was established in Hewlêr (Arbil) by the end of 2000 and have branches in the Silêmanî, Duhok and Kirkûk governorates. Its logo is formed of a yellow sun and a cross rising up behind a mountain range."
You said — “We have to demand that Islamic Law be removed from the Iraqi constitution.”
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Well, that’s a big “laugh out loud” moment — if I ever heard of one... That will never happen. And that’s *precisely* why there will never be a democracy in Iraq. Islam and Sharia law is the reason. I’m not sure why all our important researchers that supply information to the government, couldn’t have figured that one out already...
Well, get ready for the “big change”. Pretty soon the only one left who is going to be supporting staying in Iraq — is going to be the President himself. Everyone else, including the Repbulicans, are going to be for pulling out as soon as possible.
Oh well, it was great while it lasted...
“Well, that’s a big “laugh out loud” moment”
Sure is.
You said — Bingo. Should have never let Islamic (Islamofascist) Law be a condition in the constitution in the first place and back when it was written we had a lot more leverage. Still, needs to be taken out. Iraq needs to be secularized or, better, Christianized. “Convert them to Christianity”
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And I agree it was a big mistake. But, you see, it’s always been a “religion of peace” to the President — his first mistake. And so, letting that remain was apparently in keeping with his idea of it. But, as we all know, it’s not a religion of peace and it’s *totally against* democracy.
The thing about it is that it’s a “religio-fanatical-governmental idealogy” which goes under the name of Islam, and masqueredes in other democracies around the world as a “religion” — so it can “sneak in the back door” and do their *dirty business* without notice. And when they get up to significant numbers, then they can *attack* from within that country and then show them that they are *indeed* a “subversive government” (not a “religion”) designed to overthrow other countries around the world.
So, if you think any of your suggestions are going to happen in Iraq, think again. It’s going to turn into another breeding ground for more terrorism in the future.
That’s actually a plan that I like. Of course, that’s also why I don’t get put in charge of things anymore.
There are three million people in Baghdad. Iraq without is like Illinois without the Chicago metropolitan Area.
How do you "take them out" if they own the cities (which they will if you run away).
So you support mass genocide and $100/barrel oil if we pull out?(which will happen)
Order that city taken out. (Think Fallujah)
If it's just another one of those Sunni-Shi'ite bloodbaths, let's stay out of it.
You said — “So you support mass genocide and $100/barrel oil if we pull out?(which will happen)”
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That was a “crystal ball” moment. The crystal ball look into the future does not reflect on the attitudes or the intent of the poster (this statement being called a legal disclaimer). The crystal ball speaks for itself... :-)
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