CNN Reporter: Artificial Iraq Deadline 'Serves Only America's Enemies'

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Amazing the salubrious effect that being on the ground in Iraq can have on representatives of the MSM. Earlier this week, as NewsBusters noted here and here, NBC's Brian Williams, reporting from Iraq, offered some unusually positive observations. Now comes this eye-opening exchange from earlier this afternoon on CNN International between host Jim Clancy and correspondent Michael Ware, also reporting from Iraq:

JIM CLANCY: "The Democrats are pressing for a deadline, be it at the end of 2007, 2008 to bring all U.S. troops home. How is that going to affect General Petraeus, the Iraqi government and the Iraqis themselves?"

MICHAEL WARE: "Well, Jim, certainly in terms of the Iraqis and the war that's being fought in the streets and the deserts of this country, I mean, what's happening over there, what the Democrats are saying about timetables may as well be happening on the planet Pluto for all that it counts, to the bloodshed and endless combat that we're seeing day in, day out. All that it does, anyone setting time frames like that without real pre-conditions, anyone trying to put artificial deadlines upon this conflict is only aiding the enemies, so-called, of America, al Qaeda and Iran. It allows them some leverage to know when to put the pressure on, to know that the clock is ticking and to know where the pressure points are.

"So, in terms of the battle, day-to-day here, General Petraeus isn't looking more forward than five or six months. He's trying to make this surge work. But in terms of the broader strategic framework, it serves only America's enemies."Nancy & Harry, are you listening?

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Surprising-CNN-ping to Today show list.

[lesko]

Somebody pinch me - am I in reality? The MSM actually saying something worth listening to...

[Bahbah]

trying to put artificial deadlines upon this conflict is only aiding the enemies, so-called, of America

Pretty surprising indeed, but what is with the "so-called" enemies of America. Does he think they are just kidding? (I notice he drops it the second time he refers to our enemies.)

[USMCWife6869]

"Nancy & Harry, are you listening?"

They'll never listen.

[Responsibility2nd]

I suspect Michael Ware will soon be sent to re-indoctrination camp.

[lump in the melting pot]

Democrat jawboning "...may as well be happening on the planet Pluto for all that it counts...", from a CNN reporter?

Snowstorms in Hell! Pigs at 30,000 feet! I love it.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

I also noted that "so-called," but as you say he did repeat the line twice about deadlines aiding America's enemies, so overall his message seemed pretty clear.

[johnny7]

I'm sure he'll be 'talked to'... and if he doesn't come around... his next 'tour-of-duty' will be in Crawford, TX.

[angkor]

The MSM actually saying something worth listening to...

There aren't that many Western reporters on the ground in Iraq. I believe it was Michael Yon that counted 2 (yes, two) embeds when he was there last fall.

That's two embeds to cover 150,000 American soldiers in the field.

We can't expect much decent coverage with that.

The coverage is disgraceful. Beyond disgraceful, whatever that is.

[Mo1]

Well .. it's up to the media to get this fact out

Not many listen to President Bush .. because then they would have to admit he's right

[angkor]

I also noted that "so-called,"

That's just so he could satisfy his producers and editors in Atlanta that he remains a so-called "objective" correspondant.

[Bahbah]

overall his message seemed pretty clear.

It certainly was. It had to be his "conditioning" that caused that "alleged" to pop out.

[HOTTIEBOY]

CNN Reporter: Artificial Iraq Deadline 'Serves Only America's Enemies'

Hell has officially frozen over.

[HOTTIEBOY]

I figure CNN will have a segment on how the reporters on the ground are starting to suffer from some type of warzone mental condition to explain this reporter's words. Then blame it on Bush's healthcare.

[School of Rational Thought]

And this reported is spins against the US all the time.

[Suzy Quzy]

Glad to see we won't be arguing over this...:)

[bnelson44]

Time to start writing your congress critters again.

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Don't be so sure. Didn't you notice that I was actually condemning Ware for what he said? ;-)

[Suzy Quzy]

I'LL LET IT SLIDE TODAY!!! :) :) :)