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Perle of Wisdom: Lauer Cites Neo-Con To Knock Iran Talks
Today Show/NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

Posted on 12/07/2006 6:14:28 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest

How do you know the Iraq Study Group's suggestion of reaching out to Iran and Syria is in trouble? When even a leading MSM light like Matt Lauer approvingly cites, of all people, leading neo-con Richard Perle to shoot down the idea.

The Baker-Hamilton duo were making the TV rounds this morning, and it wasn't long into their chat with Matt that he hit them with this:

"Let's talk about this idea of reaching out to the people in the neighborhood - Syria and Iran. Richard Perle said recently that 'talking to Iran about Iraq will be seen throughout the region as an indication of American weakness."

To drive home the point, 'Today' displayed a graphic with Perle's photo and the language cited above.

Asked Lauer, essentially restating Perle: "So as a former Secretary of State, how do you sit down with someone like President Ahmadinejad of Iran knowing about the past and present of that country, and not make it seem like the US is operating from a position of weakness?"

After Baker argued that Iran had an interest in avoiding a chaotic Iraq that would send thousands of refugees into Iran, a tight-lipped Lauer asked dubiously: "but what do we get in return, Secretary Baker?"

Responded Baker: "We get their assistance to stop meddling in there and creating further chaos." In a classic moment, Lauer replied with a "right" that dripped with skepticism.

No doubt adding insult to Baker's injury was that the pro-Israel Perle is surely one of Baker's bete noires. Note that the Iraq Study Group report managed to slip in - presumably at Baker's behest - a recommendation that the Palestinian right of return be considered. This is something that supporters of Israel see as absolute anathema since it would threaten to drown the Jewish state in a Palestinian sea.

There will be many more twists and turns along the ISG's way. But the spectacle of Lauer citing Perle to refute Baker was some must-see TV.

Finkelstein recently returned from Iraq. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: iran; isg; mattlauer; richardperle

1 posted on 12/07/2006 6:14:32 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest
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To: Behind Liberal Lines; Miss Marple; an amused spectator; netmilsmom; Diogenesis; YaYa123; MEG33; ...

Perle-of-wisdom ping to Today show list.


2 posted on 12/07/2006 6:15:26 AM PST by governsleastgovernsbest (Watching the Today Show since 2002 so you don't have to.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

F Lauer. Where is this skepticism when Albright, Carter, and Clinton are telling us we can talk to N. Korea....?


3 posted on 12/07/2006 6:19:30 AM PST by edpc (Violence is ALWAYS a solution. Maybe not the right one....but a solution nonetheless)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Lauer will get the e-mail later today, and will reverse engines tomorrow.


4 posted on 12/07/2006 6:19:56 AM PST by popdonnelly
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Why would someone like Lauer insist on citing the one "neo-con" who has been so thoroughly discredited in the last few years that nobody takes him seriously anymore?


5 posted on 12/07/2006 6:25:45 AM PST by Alberta's Child (Can money pay for all the days I lived awake but half asleep?)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest
As a neo-conservative, I've long despised the realists. They offer nothing new and their prescription is not change but stability and not victory but defeat. Like I said, you put lipstick on a pig, its still a pig. The Iraq Surrender Group's report is going nowhere.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus

6 posted on 12/07/2006 6:30:20 AM PST by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

How do you know the Iraq Study Group's suggestion of reaching out to Iran and Syria is in trouble?

What do we have to say to them? Don't attack pretty please?


7 posted on 12/07/2006 6:49:06 AM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

I've been arguing this point with my brothers: What if the Baker Commissions ideas, and those of Democrats, have become so stupid as to become derisible? Just laugh these lunatics out the door.

Give back the Golan? Have talks with Ahmanutjob? Closed end involvement in Iraq? Come on, this is third grade thinking.

Baker is a pompous ass, a legacy of the weak Bush the Elder.


8 posted on 12/07/2006 6:52:46 AM PST by FastCoyote
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To: governsleastgovernsbest

Watching this Baker charade about engaging Iran and Syria is like watching the end of America while they disparage and nullify the efforts and sacrifices of our military. It's Viet Nam all over again and the MSM and the RATs are both culpable for yet another US defeat. This one, however, will cheer the islamofascists who see our weakness and then they will strike us again only much harder. Who will the leftists blame for such a disaster? Why, Bush, of course! Liars never stop lying. I am so disgusted, but it is futile, I'm afraid--too many leftists are now are in control.


9 posted on 12/07/2006 7:04:10 AM PST by Paulus Invictus
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To: FastCoyote

James Baker ought to start caller himself "Bakr abu Chamberlain"!


10 posted on 12/07/2006 9:16:09 AM PST by skepsel
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To: FastCoyote; governsleastgovernsbest
I hope James Baker is enjoying his limelight of lost credibility.



11 posted on 12/08/2006 5:29:55 AM PST by demkicker (In the minority or majority, I'll never stop kicking dems)
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