Iraq Should Be a Nation Divided....

The vote in the Senate today.... probably coming late in the night as the GOP filibusters.... decides a simple matter really. What do we care about, the lives of our troops, or the occupation of a nation waging a tribal civil war where 69 percent of the citizens don't want our presence, and whose Prime Minister Maliki told us a few days ago could take over their own security operations.

As the "Democrats Maneuver To Force Iraq Votes," let's not lose sight of the troops, as Majority Leader Harry Reid passionately reminded the Senate..... not just the unacceptable loss of life, but the tens of thousands injured, many with the loss of limbs and other horrific disabilities.

Reid said of the vote, "It's unfortunate that President Bush has proven, beyond any doubt, that he won't listen to the Congress or the American people unless he's forced to, and that's what this amendment does."

Yes, Chicken Little Bush continually fear mongers that if we leave Iraq the sky will fall. That's not what recent "war games" exercises for the U. S. military concluded however as outlined in "Exit Strategies." (WaPO)

It's worth quoting in full: "If U.S. combat forces withdraw from Iraq in the near future, three developments would be likely to unfold. Majority Shiites would drive Sunnis out of ethnically mixed areas west to Anbar province. Southern Iraq would erupt in civil war between Shiite groups. And the Kurdish north would solidify its borders and invite a U.S. troop presence there. In short, Iraq would effectively become three separate nations."

This outcome is basically the same as the thoughtful proposal of Sen. Joseph Biden that has received bipartisan support.... dividing Iraq into three defined states under a weaker central government. The sky wouldn't fall. Especially if the administration drops the "stay the course" rhetoric and works to implement such a plan.

Today's "Intelligence Report Warns of al-Qaeda's Capabilities," (WaPo) and confirms our worst fears as articulated by Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) the chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, that the invasion of Iraq "diverted needed resources from eliminating the threat from al Qaeda".... and "points out that the real threat to the U.S. homeland emanates from Afghanistan and Pakistan, not Iraq."

Sorry to say, though, undoubtedly when the clock strikes midnight in the Senate tonight nothing much will have changed.... and the "stay the course" pumpkin-heads will once again frustrate the will of the nation.

GOP Splinters

Are the Senate Republicans stalled, their leadership sails slack as they bob about in the legislative doldrums?

So says Robert D. Novak in his "McConnell's Immigration Failure." (WaPo)

While Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid (D-NV) was up to his elbows in dirty deeds, convoluting the rules of procedure and twisting arms trying to pass The Decider's amnesty for illegal aliens bill, Bush's Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell (KY) was not only above the fray.... he ended up voting against it, and "abandoned his post, staying off the floor during final stages of the debate."

As it turns out, the fury of the switchboard-crashing number of calls coming into the Senate, threatening to never again vote for anyone supporting "amnesty," changed the minds of some GOP senators facing reelection, like McConnell.

So it seems McConnell faced the music and voted against the bill.... music conservative columnist Novak sees as a sour note, "It is difficult to exaggerate the pessimism about the immediate political future voiced by Republicans in Congress when not on the record."

Seems like Novak needs to quit talking only to Bushistas, and instead listen to Republican senators like Jim DeMint (SC) who didn't support the legislation and exulted in an email to supporters.... "We did it."

Even Republican former House speaker Newt Gingrich, who may yet throw his hat into the presidential ring, told contributors that the vote was "a soaring victory for the American people" in the defeat of the "Bush-Kennedy-McCain bill."

These are strange times, unexplored waters for many GOP politicians.... the party of political discipline that heeded President Reagan's admonition to speak no ill of another Republican.... an open break with their party leader and president.

It will be interesting to see if GOP supporters of the legislation who didn't change their vote despite the loud and intense pressure of their constituents... Lindsey Graham (SC) who is up for reelection, and presidential candidate John McCain (AZ).... will pay the price in 2008. One can only hope so.

The U.S. voters should find joy, not the reflected dejection of Novak or the gloomy outlook of McConnell who tried to have it both ways by trying to appease Bush while justifying his defection.... "This isn't a day to celebrate.... It wasn't the people's will. And they were heard."

You bet we were heard!

Let freedom ring

Bush Bandwagon Loses Steam

There's good news.... and since good news is about as rare these days as a non-political Justice Department decision, we'll run with it.

There are a few U.S. Senators who are well-respected by other U.S. Senators, and Richard Lugar (R-IN) is one of them. Up until now, he's been in lockstep with The Decider on the Iraq War. Well, he's now broken ranks. He says the Iraq plan is not working. (WaPo)

And, rather than wait for the stalling September date to hear once again that the administration is going to "stay the course," yesterday Lugar announced on the Senate floor: "In my judgment, the costs and risks of continuing down the current path outweigh the potential benefits that might be achieved..... Persisting indefinitely with the surge strategy will delay policy adjustments that have a better chance of protecting our vital interests over the long term"

Although lauding Lugar's change of heart, in a transparent attempt to look in charge of events, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) plans to force votes on several anti-war proposals although they are expected to fall short of the 60 votes needed.

He thinks that is what frustrated voters want. It isn't. Such voter pandering only keeps the Senate polarized and sends moderate voices scurrying back to party safety.

Instead, the next step should be to get other influential Iraq war voices like Sen. John Warner (R-VA) to join Lugar's, and to get behind a plan such as Sen. Joe Biden (D-DE) is putting forward for a federalized Iraq that is currently enjoying bipartisan support.

Maybe voters could propose a deal, if the Republicans get rid the scary Dick Cheney, the Democrats will replace Reid as majority leader. As far fetched as that may sound, Cheney is the subject of the next piece of good news.

There is a GOP plan afoot to oust Tricky Dick. In an article by Sally Quinn in WaPo, she reports that Cheney is viewed by many Republicans as toxic, dangerous and a net minus for the party going into next year's elections.

The showdown would unfold something like this.... senior Republican message carriers led by someone like Sen. Warner.... a la Barry Goldwater who went to the White House and told President Nixon he had to go.... would lay the words on Cheney.

Look for this possible move this summer when Cheney is scheduled for surgery to replace his pacemaker.... after which he may have to leave office amid much regretful fanfare.... doctor's orders don't you know.

The person being mentioned as his replacement is ex-Senator Fred Thompson. Talk about getting a leg up on positioning for the presidential race. We'll find out this summer if Cheney needs to spend more time with his family and Fred is the anointed one.

And, if you can stand it, another piece of good news. "Ex-Aides Break With Bush on 'No Child'."

Even as The Decider urged lawmakers to renew his fatally flawed No Child Left Behind program, his former aides who helped craft and implement his education initiative are speaking out against the law. One aide, Eugene Hickok, now says he always had second thoughts, and feels the lawmakers should step back and "see if there are other ways to solve the problem."

The messages are loud and clear.... The Decider's decisions stink. The Iraq war, No Child Left Behind, even his choice for Vice President have imperiled our country.

Now, if the Senate can just find the fortitude to go against their corporate masters, The Decider's immigration and North American Union schemes can be thwarted, and perhaps the country can start to limp back toward some sort of non-ideological sanity.

A final word, just to prove that nonpartianship is possible. Like Howard Kurtz, WaPo staff writer, a recent remark by the GOP stiletto-mouth, Ann Coulter on "Good Morning America" took my breath away.

Referring to The Decider, she slashed: "We're all just waiting for this nincompoop to be gone."

Amen, Ann. Amen.

Giuliani, McCain Bail on Bales

Ho hum.... that may be the interest in the Ames, IA straw poll, an early test of GOP presidential campaigns.

Two major GOP candidates have opted out of the straw poll scheduled for August 11.... former NY Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Arizona Senator John McCain.

Interestingly, though not a candidate, former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich plans to attend. Hmmmmm.

The bada bing of the poll may now hang by a straw.... the champion of "going to announce soon," former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson. His participation would make the event a match between at least two GOP superstars.... former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, and Fred.

Perhaps the reason Giuliani and McCain have basically abandoned Iowa is the rush by many big states to hold their primaries right after Iowa's January 14 caucuses.... 20 plus state primaries are within 3 weeks of Iowa's caucuses.

It takes money, money, money.... and campaign organization in Iowa to successfully compete in the Ames bus-in.... I mean straw poll. In a crowded primary calendar the effort may not seem worth it.

McCain thought he didn't need Iowa in 2000, and how did that work out for him (and the nation)? We got The Decider. McCain's Straight Talk bus seems to need a map.

First impressions do count, and for many voters their first impression of a winner in the primary contests will be from Iowa's first-in-the nation results . Any GOP candidate not participating in the Iowa straw poll can expect to suffer in the caucuses.

Democrats wisely don't hold a straw beauty pageant before the caucuses, but they have to contend with a crowded primary calendar too. That is why New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson is nesting in Nevada.... their caucuses on January 19 will make them the second after Iowa on the nominating calendar.

The really disappointing new Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, elbowed his home state forward, upsetting New Hampshire, the traditional second-in-the nation state. Besides the obvious higher-profile and income payoffs for Nevada and Reid... it jump-starts the Democrats chase for the Latino vote, whose population is 23 percent in Nevada.

Richardson, unlike other Democratic candidates, can easily travel from New Mexico to Nevada, and understands the Latino population. He hopes for a slam dunk there in the presidential sweepstakes.

But, even Richardson acknowledges, "South Carolina and Nevada are players.... Iowa and New Hampshire are in a class by themselves.

Biden's the Man

Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is doing what the tarnished Senator McCain (R-AZ) used to do, straight talk.... "White House Postponing Loss of Iraq, Biden Says."

The forcefully-speaking Biden sees the current situation in Iraq this way.... The Decider is waiting until after the elections of 2008, and a new president, to take the historical blame for "landing helicopters inside the Green Zone, taking people off the roof," in a chaotic withdrawal reminiscent of Vietnam.

Such a postponement would insure the death of yet more brave troops, continue the Bush administration's plunge into an abyss of debt, and fuel yet more terrorism throughout the Iraq region and the world.

To what purpose?

To avoid such a scene of failure on Bush's watch.

So, The Decider irresponsibly continues his "stay the course" Iraq policy.... however he cloaks it in his upcoming speech.... unable and unwilling to face, as Biden thinks, what VP Cheney and former defense secretary Rumsfeld have already faced, the fact that Iraq was a "very, very, very, very bad bet, and it blew up in their faces."

Starting next week, Biden will hold committee hearings on every aspect of U.S. policy in Iraq. He intends to expose the Iraq policy underbelly and bring pressure to bear to influence GOP lawmakers.

In the meantime, new Democratic legislative leaders "Pelosi, Reid Urge Bush To Begin Iraq Pullout." They sent a letter to The Decider warning him that sending more U.S. troops to Iraq.... the "surge" option.... was "unacceptable" to the Democratic majorities in Congress. Instead, they want him to begin a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces in the next four to six months.

As at least the Bush advisers must know, a "surge" would not be a new strategy, but a new tactic. Shuffling generals and diplomats, increasing troop strength.... hollow maneuvers all.

Bush has been spending a lot of time in the Iraq woodshed. Is our thumb-sucking Decider incapable of a new strategy? Are we asking a spoiled boy to do a man's job?

Stayed tuned.... although the sorry answer is probably yes.