Democratic Leaders, Bush Agree to New Advisory Panel on Iraq (Pelosi, Reid to appoint ALL Members)

FoxNews ^ | January 31, 2007 | FoxNews

[IntelliQuark]

Democratic leaders have agreed with President Bush to create a bipartisan Iraq advisory group to offer ideas on the way forward, with members to be named by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

"This afternoon, the president had a good phone conversation with Sen. Reid and Speaker Pelosi. They all agreed to creating a bipartisan consultative group on Iraq. The group will meet for the first time next week," a White House official said Tuesday.

Democratic leaders initially rejected it but agreed to the idea only after the president agreed to allow the Democrats to appoint the members, a Democratic source said.

Though all 435 members of the House were invited to participate in a classified briefing Wednesday morning providing an update on implementation of the president's surge strategy in Iraq, only about 25-30 members accepted the invitation.

[NonValueAdded]

What the Sam Hill is he thinking?

[tobyhill]

The story not told, President Bush told the Rats to go ahead and set up whatever committee they want because it won't matter, he will continue to perform his duty as CIC regardless.

[The Blitherer]

Exactly.

[IntelliQuark]

I guess Pelosi and Reid are now also the leaders of the Republicans in Congress. The Republican minority leaders might as well resign.

[Argus]

I think this is what Bush is thinking:

"Go ahead, appoint all the members. Take all the time you like, advise away. I'll listen, ponder, and weigh what you say - and then do what I want. Have a nice day."

[IntelliQuark]

But it would have been infinitely better to NOT have a "bipartisan advisory group", than to legitimize the antiwar Dems by allowing them to create this.

[Dog]

Though all 435 members of the House were invited to participate in a classified briefing Wednesday morning providing an update on implementation of the president's surge strategy in Iraq, only about 25-30 members accepted the invitation.

Those Posers...this is criminal.

[SeaBiscuit]

"Democratic leaders have agreed with President Bush to create a bipartisan.."

First sentence, first lie.

[IntelliQuark]

Yes, they complain they want to be told what's going on, and when they get the chance, they don't bother showing up. They don't want to be bothered with the facts. And sadly, this includes our Republican Congressmen too.

[tobyhill]

The Republicans resigned when they couldn't get their act together before last election.

[basil]

What I love about it is the fact that Santos is on this committee--an unabashed, avowed Communist!

[processing please hold]

President Bush told the Rats to go ahead and set up whatever committee they want because it won't matter, he will continue to perform his duty as CIC regardless.

What article did he say that in, do you have a link?

[Faith]

They don't want to be bothered with the facts.

You are right. Every single one of them should have been in that briefing.

[tobyhill]

The rest already have their minds made up that America lost.

[Beagle8U]

Gee, I wonder who the RATS will appoint from the R side of the isle? Specter, Snow, Hagel, ....

[tobyhill]

The congress can create whatever committee they want and they really don't need the President's permission. We all knew these committees were coming.

[WhiteGuy]

What the Sam Hill is he thinking?


here is the scam..........

both side posture, keep the 2 voter bases happy.

then the deal is made.

bills that even a moderate democrat would vote against will mysteriously be signed into law, and the white house will get as much tax-payer funding as it wants to spend as it sees fit. in the name of the "war on terror."

both sides claim victory.


see?

[mdittmar]

And while they meet,and prattle and pose for the cameras,and offer "non-binding" resolutions, more of our troops will arrive in Baghdad,3,000 are there now,11,000 total,will be in Baghdad proper soon,to kill the terrorists.

President Bush will let them have their silly show as he goes about doing what needs to be done.

[tobyhill]

"Democratic leaders initially rejected it but agreed to the idea only after the president agreed to allow the Democrats to appoint the members, a Democratic source said."

My comment was to paraphrase my read into it.

President Bush has already given the whatever. The President doesn't have a say in who participates anyway but he has made it clear he's going with the surge.