Congress, Media Could Talk U.S. Into Iraq Defeat

Roll Call, via Real Clear Politics ^ | May 21, 2004 | By Mort Kondracke

[Robert DeLong]

Mort can be way off target sometimes, but in this case he is right-on.

[Tolik]

Mort Kondracke:

The American establishment, led by the media and politicians, is in danger of talking the United States into defeat in Iraq. And the results would be catastrophic.

... there is a real danger that Iraq could become like Vietnam - a self-inflicted defeat. Public support for the war is down, and even conservative columnists such as David Brooks and George Will are implying that Bush's aims are unachievable.

Although everyone says they support American troops in Iraq, soldiers have to wonder whether the country is fully behind their mission. Iraqis, too, have to be wondering: Will America stay the course?

President Bush surely will. He strikes me as being as resolute as George Washington was at Valley Forge, Abraham Lincoln after the early defeats of the Civil War, and Franklin Roosevelt in the darkest days of World War II. They didn't have "exit strategies," either.

But if Congress and the media raise doubts that Bush can "finish the job," then Iraqis - who already have good reason to doubt American resolve, given our performance during and after the 1991 Gulf War - will lose all faith that they can have a stable country.

...

But it's utterly vital that Americans give the enterprise every chance of success. The consequences of failure will be disastrous-not just for Bush, but for Iraqis, for America, for the Middle East and for civilization itself.

If Iraq descends into chaos, Iraqis who have sided with the United States will be butchered. For some time, America will cease to be seen as the leader in the world, no matter who is president. The forces of evil - Islamic fanatics and Saddamist killers - will be ascendant in the Middle East. The forces of democracy and liberalism will be defeated.

....

This is a hard time in Iraq - perhaps, as Tom Paine once said, a "time to try men's souls." On the other hand, after the head of the Iraqi Governing Council was murdered this week, Iraqi national security adviser Mowaffak al-Rabai - a figure considered close to Grand Ayatolla Ali al-Sistani - declared that "these gangsters and terrorists will have to kill 25 million Iraqis who are longing for freedom, democracy and prosperity."

Sistani, arguably the dominant political actor in Iraq, is clearly siding with the United States against upstart Shiite leader Moktada al-Sadr. That's good news. Americans should know more about it - and take heart.

     Nailed It!

     Moral Clarity BUMP  !

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[Inwoodian]

Of course, Kondracke is right. He fails, however, to take the next logical steps. The major media, the Democrat Party, most universities, Hollywood and A.N.S.W.E.R. are all part of the Socialist faction that was left seething with the fall of the Soviet Union. They are anti-American instinctively and could care less for our troops. For them to do other than what they are doing would force them to face the realization that they have been wrong about virtually every major issue of at least the last sixty years. They are far too self-absorbed to do that.

[Starve The Beast]

The media... focuses overwhelmingly on the bad news coming out of Iraq. There is plenty of bad news - but there is also much good, and it is being almost completely ignored.

Imagine how much better it would be for America, for Iraq, and, ultimately, for world stability, if we could get the Left in this country to pipe down. We don't even need them to get on board with the WOT if they don't want to. We just need them to stop actively opposing our efforts to stabilize the Middle East, and to stop cheering on our enemies.

[Helms]

The media ratings and he said she said point counterpoint, crossfire formats may cost us this war. In addition folks like Bill O'Reilly have no business practicing politics let alone geopolitics. The 24 hour 3 cable news outlets are undermining my tax dollars and sacrifice not to mention my country.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

To these whiners

A “Col Jeesup's rant” I think it's time for Donald Rumsfeld to have a few words with ABCNBCBCCNN:

"Liberals, we live in a world that has walls and those walls need to be guarded by men with guns. Who's gonna do it? You? You, ABCNBCCBCCNN?

"I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for prisoners at Abu Ghraib and curse the Commander-In-Chief, you have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that prisoner intimidation at Abu Ghraib, while tragic, probably saved lives and that my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves lives."

"You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about at ABCNBCBCCNN you want me on that wall, you need me on that wall. We use words like honor, code, loyalty. We use then as the backbone of a life trying to defend something. You use them as a punch line in a propaganda headline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to TV media who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom I provide and then questions the manner in which I provide it.

I would rather you just said "thank you," and you go back to reporting the real news. Otherwise, I suggest that you get off that elitist throne, put down the microphone equipment, push away from the feeding trough, waddle your fat ass outta my sight and SHUT YOUR MOUTH! Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to."

[rrrod]

Until our Republican congresscritters go on full attack this is a possiblity!

[Helms]

Forces of darkness versus forces of light.

What more possible evidence do we need to substantiate their war on flyover country?

Elite US Media needs humiliation and defeat and 11/04/04 represents that opportunity.

Will a 4/5 point win represent a mandate?

[Tolik]

Funny you mentioned "A few Good Men". It is amazing what real talent can do. Rob Reiner and Aaron Sorkin are leftists, BUT really talented. Nicholson as well, I think. Sorkin wrote Jessep's speech that became bigger than the movie. It always amazes me how real talent cuts through the person's own bias and build up of BS. One of those moments...

[freekitty]

Oh, I see another Viet Nam.

[patriciamary]

So why doesn't a group of Washington republicans say this loud and clear for all to hear.Speak you use the word LIAR

[Liz]

Elite US Media needs humiliation and defeat and 11/04/04 represents that opportunity.

Oh, I just can't wait to see 'em eat crow.

[MEG33]

WE WILL NOT TIRE...WE WILL NOT FALTER...WE WILL NOT FAIL..

[johnb838]

If we could shut down the left for just a few months we could win this damned war. We won't have a chance till the fall. I'm not pessimistic about the election. But I'm very sure I need to work my butt off to keep the socialists out.

[johnb838]

Wow! That is tremendous. I hope you don't mind if I put it on my profile (with credit of course)

You Can't Handle The Truth bump.

[Wolfstar]

The consequences of failure will be disastrous-not just for Bush, but for Iraqis, for America, for the Middle East and for civilization itself.

If John Kerry is elected president this November, as far as I'm concerned, this country — indeed Western civilization — will deserve everything it will get from the Islamofreaks. I will no longer give a rat's butt about any of it and will turn inward to just focus on me and mine.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

Go for it

[Vets_Husband_and_Wife]

Mort said that? About 40% of the time we agree with him.

In this case, 100 percent.

[MEG33]

Mort at his best...even though he is a dem.