Success in Iraq will be declared by the media in December 2008. There will be some nearly symbolic benchmark that will pass, and they'll say, "Aha! See! The hardliners knew they had to give in, because they didn't want to face consequences from incoming President Clinton!"
this is great news. Though I think it's not hard to imagine the "no political progress" crowd as really believing there's no political progress. Maybe it's willful ignorance on their part, but it isn't a stretch for me to count them as honest in their opinions.
I think the passage of this is a good sign, but it remains to be seen how it will be enforced. The NYT and WP quotes various Shiite government officials as saying this law will allow the government to further purge as many as 27,000 current Sunni government officials, while at the same allowing 13,000 to 31,000 new Sunni to be hired.
According to Hillary on Meet the Press (paraphrased) the Iraqi government had no incentive to meet benchmarks last year. But as they see good chances for a Dem to be the next president, (with all candiates pledging to withdraw troops) they now have incentive to work out a reconciliation.
Elsewhere I saw a good answer.
I suppose that Hillary now asserts that she only called Petraeus a liar in such circumlocutions as "the willing suspension of disbelief" in order to urge the Iraqis on. Reid's assertion that "The war is lost" -- oh that was just a goad to hurry victory. Opposing the surge...just a gentle exhoration to do more more quickly.
But as they see good chances for a Dem to be the next president, (with all candiates pledging to withdraw troops) they now have incentive to work out a reconciliation.
The anti-war activists in the Democrat Party will say that the prospect of peace could not have been possible without their opposition. The time lines did it.
1.13.2008 10:50pm
Commenting on Dean's World is a privilege, not a right. Dean is your host, you are his guest, and you should behave in that fashion. Dean is not your babysitter, nor is he your punching bag. Please remember this. In general, you are free to disagree with anyone on any subject you wish, but abusive behavior will not be tolerated.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.
this is great news. Though I think it's not hard to imagine the "no political progress" crowd as really believing there's no political progress. Maybe it's willful ignorance on their part, but it isn't a stretch for me to count them as honest in their opinions.
Elsewhere I saw a good answer.
Hey! Senator Clinton reads Dean's World! Note the time, more than 12 hours before Meet the Press.
Of course we all lose our tempers now and then. Dean freely admits to being imperfect in this regard, which is why regulars to this establishment will generally be cut more slack than people who we don't know very well.
Still: behave like an adult, or go find somewhere else to play. Thanks.