Powered by Max Banner Ads
Video: Live Stream Of Sotomayor Hearing
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
Petraeus/Crocker Talk Progress, Democrats Talk Defeat
The much anticipated appearance of Gen. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker kicked off today, with the first of 2 scheduled hearings today having just concluded.
It was fairly predictable, with Republicans listening to what Petraeus/Crocker had to say about the current state of things in Iraq. No sane person can at this point deny the very significant progress that’s been made since the surge began, unless of course your a liberal Democrat.
Democrats on the panel of course tried to get Petraeus to say the mission wasn’t worth it and to say the the current policy in Iraq is a failure. He was of course unable to say those things given the fact that neither of them are true.
Gen. Petraeus went on to lay out his plan going forward, which included recommending a 45-day “period of consolidation and evaluation” once the extra combat forces that President Bush ordered to Iraq last year have completed their pullout in July. He did not commit to a timetable for resuming troop reductions after the 45-day pause.
“At the end of that period, we will commence a process of assessment to examine the conditions on the ground and, over time, determine when we can make recommendations for further reductions,” Petraeus said.
“This process will be continuous, with recommendations for further reductions made as conditions permit,” he added. “This approach does not allow establishment of a set withdrawal timetable. However, it does provide the flexibility those of us on the ground need to preserve the still fragile security gains our troopers have fought so hard a sacrificed so much to achieve.”
President Bush has said he intended to accept Petraeus’ recommendation. On Thursday, the president will make a speech about the war and give further details.
-Chris Jones
Rice faces House’s questions about Iraq
For months, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice fended off demands from Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee that she testify about a growing list of State Department problems in Iraq.
Rice finally made her appearance Thursday, and faced aggressive questioning about corruption in the Iraqi government, rogue behavior by security guards for private contractor Blackwater USA, and construction defects at the new $600-million U.S. Embassy in Baghdad.
“We need to know whether the mistakes of the State Department have jeopardized any chance for political success in Iraq,” Rep. Henry A. Waxman (D-Beverly Hills) said in his opening remarks.
Rice, an academic by training and a diplomat by profession, sparred for three hours with Waxman and committee Democrats. Republicans charged that Democrats, without the votes in Congress to end the war outright, were trying to halt it by exposing a series of problems in Iraq.
“The Democratic strategy seems to be to drill enough small holes in the bottom of the boat to sink the entire Iraqi enterprise, while still claiming undying support for the crew about to drown,” said ranking member Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R-Va.).
Anybody that wants to know what “drunk with power” looks like needs only to look at Henry Waxman. He’s been investigating, badgering, smearing, and condemning the Bush Administration week after week.
He’s issued subpoena’s for damn near everyone that has ever had any dealings with the President. I wouldn’t put it past Waxman to subpoena Barney, the President’s dog.
I usually watch all the hearings on Capital Hill, because it’s always amazing to see how they fit so many huge egos in one room. Rice’s testimony was especially interesting, because she refuse’s to be bullied by Waxman and his stooges.
When the Democrats hold hearings and pretend to be outraged, the whole thing is just so obvious. It’s the epitome of a dog and pony show. I can’t imagine anyone really believing the whole process is authentic or has any real value. It’s pure partisan politics and while it does make for good TV, it’s a colossal waste of time.
-Chris Jones
Posts
