Andrea Mitchell says Republicans will pull the plug in August
I don't know about this as time goes forward (what is success in "the surge?",) but this morning on the Chris Matthews' show, Andrea Mitchell "reported" that the Congressional Republicans met with Petraeus and gave him until August to show real progress or they would pull the plug.
All kinds of questions.
What is Petraeus doing meeting with Congressional Republicans mapping legislative strategy?
Why would Mitchell reveal this here, and not report it as a real story? (I mean, if true, that's a huge freakin' story.)
You're telling me that nobody, not staff, has leaked this?
I'm dubious, but take a look and judge for yourself.
All kinds of questions.
What is Petraeus doing meeting with Congressional Republicans mapping legislative strategy?
Why would Mitchell reveal this here, and not report it as a real story? (I mean, if true, that's a huge freakin' story.)
You're telling me that nobody, not staff, has leaked this?
I'm dubious, but take a look and judge for yourself.
posted by mikevotes at
12:39 PM
7 Comments:
Andrew Sullivan, responding to a David Brooks column this week, wrote that there is a major political realignment happening as a reaction to Bushism. Conservatives (real ones, not the phony water carriers who currently run FOX, NRO, etc.) and Progressives have some common ground. I, for instance, often find myself agreeing w/ Pat Buchanan on both foreign and trade policy. I find myself agreeing w/ Andrew Sullivan on torture, cronyism, corruption, and the authoritarianism of the current administration. I find myself agreeing w/ Bob Barr on limiting the powers of the federal gov't. Do you see this realignment happening too, Mike? Do you ever find yourself agreeing with a conservative you once thought you would never agree on anything with?
By
Reality-Based Educator, at 1:17 PM
I don't believe that, the Republicans stand behind him too much.
By the way, thanks for the link, tell me when it's up.
http://www.intentdissent.com
By
Douglas E. Lindner, at 2:43 PM
Yes, mostly. Make the distinction, though, that largely, they're coming to you. I wouldn't so much call it common ground as their awakening to the political realities.
I think what's going on is that the Republicans were willing to go along with this crazy Bush stuff so long as they thought they were winning. Now that the American public has ebbed away, the politicians, reading the tea leaves, are choosing this summer, far enough away from the elections to not be called hypocrites, to get off the bus.
As for the pundits, they're just following their audience.
This is probably why I'm not singing the praises of these folks as they switch, like Matthew Dowd yesterday.
It is a big deal that the president is getting more isolated, but, really, how much credit does a John Sununu deserve, elected in 2002 praising war and get tough, and now that he's at threat, changing sides.
His actions put us where we are.
In the broader scale, I think these defections might hurt them alot because much like Clinton and Obama, it's far more credible if you are on record against it from the beginning.
(And a little warning. I've had several Pat Buchanan moments, but I can tell you for a fact, that sooner or later, he'll say something to make you regret that you ever claimed any commonality.)
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 2:48 PM
Buchanan was against the war from the beginning. That's one thing he's got going for him. On many issues, I completely disagree with him (like immigration, like cultural issues, etc.) But one thing I'll say for him, he refuses to go along with the Bush agenda just because it's the Bush agenda. That's why I actually like looking at his magazine The American Conservative. I may not agree with much of what is there, but at least it's honest. The writers at the American Conservative really believe in what they're writing. The hacks running NRO, FOX et al., on the other hand, adjust their values and beliefs to whatever Dear Leader and/or Karl Rove says they should. For them, it's power above principle.
By
Reality-Based Educator, at 3:51 PM
I fully agree. I watch for articles from several of their people because they do offer good critique against foreign adventurism.
I do check out their magazine from time to time, as well.
It's just that I've had the experience several times of agreeing with Buchanan on the war in one segment of Hardball, only to be disgusted by xenophobia or bigotry in the next segment.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 3:55 PM
Despite his many flaws, Buchanan is impressive on the trade deficit, I have to give him that.
IntentDissent.com
By
Douglas E. Lindner, at 5:15 PM
Again, I agree with him at certain times and in certain places, but I am not going to endorse the man.
Mike
By
mikevotes, at 5:30 PM
Post a Comment
<< Home