Posted on 08/29/2005 8:20:41 PM PDT by neverdem
WASHINGTON, Aug. 28 - With lawmakers facing tough questions at home about the war in Iraq, Senator John W. Warner, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, says he intends to summon Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld quickly for a hearing when Congress returns next week.
Mr. Warner, a Virginia Republican who is one of the most important Congressional voices on military policy, said mounting numbers of dead and wounded Americans, the contentious process of drafting an Iraqi constitution and the economic cost of the war were adding up to new anxiety in Congress.
"The level of concern is, I think, gradually rising," Mr. Warner said in an interview on Friday. "Our nation has given so much to the Iraqi people, and what are they giving us in return?"
Unlike some of his colleagues in both parties, Mr. Warner said he did not see parallels between the current situation and the Vietnam era. While he said he believed that most Republican lawmakers remained strongly behind administration policy, he indicated that continuing on the same course could steadily erode Congressional backing for the war.
"I don't see that the Congress is going to suddenly pull back like in the days of Vietnam," Mr. Warner said. "It is the desire of the Congress to continue to work with and support the administration. But there is always a tipping point."
He spoke as leaders of both parties acknowledged that lawmakers had heard, during the August recess, from voters unhappy with events in Iraq. The public sentiment has been reflected in polls indicating a drop in support for President Bush and his Iraq policies. The political atmosphere has also been influenced by the antiwar vigil outside Mr. Bush's ranch in Texas.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
Bottom line: If a RAT is prez. all is great and couldn't be better, and we'll win the WOT and make it la$t a$ long a$ po$$ibile. Ain't we ju$t the greate$t???$$$
Actually his wisdom and judgement were best characterized years ago when he married Liz Taylor.
“And for a distinguished member of this august body -- modesty forbids naming of names -- the temptation to grandstand is nearly irresistible.”
Senator Warner, a question.
Just what is that tipping point? I'm sure the terrorists would love to know. It would speed up our defeat. :-)
Look, Senator, the tipping point is that you will either retire as suspected or you will be challenged in your next election. You will be forgotton, you will not be missed.
This President will have a bright spot in history. Rummy will log more miles, more favorable than you believe, in the history books and every one of you that believe you are "gods" will learn in your retirements you were anything but.
And, please, don't rush back from your own extended vacations. We haven't missed you one damn bit.
The problem seems to be the same as it has been from the beginning. It is DoD versus the CIA and State. Every claim of progress by DoD is undercut by leaks to the press by the CIA or state. CIA seem unable to give up their old policy of "stability" under favored tyrants. Bush seems to be unable to control the old spooks, and ought ruthlessly to break up the agency. Might start by retiring most of the leadership and keeping an eye on their proteges who remain. Might not this be done by giving the Intelligence Czar a real staff and budget?
I disagree. People know exactly what is at stake which is why Bush won the non-MSM opinion poll taken on November 2, 2004.
With the media against him like they are W has to find a way around the MSM or he is going to have a lot more people in his own party defect from him. That trend has already started.
There are lots of ways to get the message out, and this is one of them.
If it was up to me Rummy would give weekly updates on the war. The guy is a class act, sharp as a tack and he commands respect.
Remind ourselves that this yet another hate America hit piece from the mighty NYT.
Why bother dignifying any utterance from these agents of our enemy?
Category 5 Bloviation Alert!!! Everytime these worthless, do-nothing, egomaniacs return from a break, they feel compelled to treat us to hearings on all manner of "urgent" topics. I suspect it is face-time withdrawal that causes them to call these hearings, and a desire to give the sheeple the false impression that they are in control of any given situation.
If we had any sense at all, we would turn every last one, D. or R., out of office at the next opportunity. They are killing us and robbing us blind. How could things possibly get any worse if every incumbent lost his or her seat?
Rummy will have these amateurs - yes, that includes my senior senator from VA - for lunch.
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