HARRY REID
Posted on 04/20/2007 6:27:23 AM PDT by yoe
On Thursday, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid did something that will surely cut at the heart of troop morale. With brave men and women risking their lives everyday in Iraq to promote freedom and combat terrorism, Reid, a Democrat from Nevada, announced to the media that “this war is lost.”
As noted in the Washington Times, Reid is going public with the same comments he said he relayed to the White House on Wednesday.
“This war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq yesterday,” Mr. Reid, Nevada Democrat, said at a Capitol Hill press conference with anti-war state legislators.
Mr. Reid said that both Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates agree with his position, though neither has ever declared defeat.
“You have to make your own decisions as to what the president knows,” said Mr. Reid, who left the press conference without fielding follow-up questions."
The fact of the matter is that up until this recent wave of violence, the beefed-up security efforts using additional troops was working to secure Baghdad. As noted in the Times’s story: “Army Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of U.S. forces in Iraq, this week said a little over half of the 25,000-troop surge he requested has arrived in Baghdad.”
So, Reid concedes defeat when many of the additional troops needed to put down the insurgency have not even set foot in Iraq? This is utterly pathetic. Reid’s comments send a very bad signal to our troops and a message of idiocy to the American people. How is Harry Reid going to know better than our military commanders? Reports from the field commanders of late have been positive, but Harry Reid somehow knows better? I don’t think so!
In a statement released Thursday, (House Minority Leader John Boehner) said he agrees with President Bush that “military decisions should be made by the generals on the ground, and not by politicians in Washington.”
Boehner added:
"When we return to the Capitol later today, House Republicans will force an up-or-down vote on the question of whether the military spending bill should give al-Qaeda a date certain for American surrender in Iraq. Any such timetable would be a disaster for our troops in harm’s way, and I believe a majority of the American people agree. I also believe most Americans are outraged that Congress has insulted our troops by attaching billions of dollars in pork-barrel spending to legislation that is meant to fund and protect our soldiers."
Boehner is also quoted in the Times as saying, “While Mr. Reid may be willing to throw in the towel and declare this a lost cause, I am certain that American troops are not. … Mr. Reid’s comments are demoralizing to our troops, and just plain wrong.”
Senate Minority Leader (Mitch McConnell) released a statement on Thursday saying:
"I can’t begin to imagine how our troops in the field, who are risking their lives every day, are going to react when they get back to base and hear that the Democrat Leader of the United States Senate has declared the war is lost. I can’t begin to imagine what their families will think. Surely this isn’t the consensus position of Senate Democrats."
McConnell cut to the heart of the Democrats’ cowardice and grandstanding for the left wing when he noted that if Reid and other Democrats truly believe the war is lost, then they should vote to defund it now. Instead, the Democrats have lined the funding bill with deadlines and pork in order to prolong the public debate and score points with their supporters.
The Democrats have no plan for Iraq… they have no idea what to do. The best course of action is to listen to the commanders on the ground and adapt to the situation at hand. That is what President Bush is doing. Saying the “war is lost” is the worst message to send to our troops and to governments around the world.
This is just great of Reid. He wants us to lose so badly that he cannot keep his trap shut...worse than Murtha i think.
“Dear Mr. Reid,
Your comments regarding our War on Terrorism are dissappointing. Radical Muslims that wish me and my family were dead will hear your remarks and be emboldened as a result. Millions around the world hate Americans. The War on Terror is about radical religious cults loathing western culture and its influence. They are willing to die and hoping to kill in the name of their deranged faith.
I suspect you don’t mean what you say. But, as with most of your ilk, see some political opportunity to affect approval ratings. Still, your selfish, and unpatriotic opportunism will be used as a tool to recruit more suicide kids to blow themselves up and kill American soldiers in the process.
Either you are ignorant about the world or so cold hearted you don’t care that your words threaten the lives of American soldiers. Which is it?”
Democrats, the best friends of the terrorists
This is a weak response. And why does it take so long to implement a new strategy?
"This last Sunday, Harry Reid, the incoming Democratic majority leader in the U.S. Senate, went on ABC's Sunday morning show and declared that a hike in U.S. troops in Iraq is OK with him. Here's the evolution of the Democrats' war platform since Nov. 7, 2006, the day the voters presented a clear mandate: "End the war! Get out of Iraq!" and took the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives away from the Republicans."
Freep the bejessus out of this TRAITOR:
Washington: 528 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-3542
/ Fax: 202-224-7327
Call your elected and DEMAND Reid's removal. The little man is not fit to serve this nation!
Gosh Mr. Reid, Americans, Iraqis and Israelis will all sleep better tonight, secure in the knowledge that you Democrats are tough on terrorism.
I put this forth on my old blog back in November of 2005, but here I can update it with Mr. Reid’s latest bowl-of-stupid-for-breakfast moment:
Bill: Resolution of Censure of Senator Harry Reid
Whereas on November 8, 2005 Senator Harry Reid of Nevada wilfully and publicly impugned the integrity of the Vice President of the United States by saying “The manipulation of intelligence to sell a war in Iraq, Vice President Cheney’s involved in that.”
And whereas Senator Reid continued his public attack by stating “The White House energy policy that puts big oil ahead of the American consumer, Vice President Cheney is behind that.”
And whereas Senator Ried also said “Leaking classified information to discredit White House critics, the vice president is behind that.”
And whereas these types of public personal attacks, WITHOUT OFFERING ANY EVIDENCE, demonstrate action contrary to senatorial ethics and tend to bring the Senate into dishonor and disrepute, that obstruct the constitutional processes of the Senate, and to impair its dignity; such conduct by a member of the United States Senate is hereby condemned.
And whereas Mr. Reid has traitorously declared defeat in Operation Iraqi Freedom, thereb demoralizing our troops and providing moral support and enouragement to the enemies of America:
RESOLVED: That the Senator from Nevada, Harry Reid, failed to maintain proper public ethical standards by impugning the ethics of a sitting Vice President of the United States. His behavior on November 8, 2005 and following
betrays the necessary good conduct as a Senator and has affected the honor of the Senate.
His abuse of Senate rules has prevented his fellow members from carrying out their assigned duties, thereby obstructing the constitutional processes of the Senate, and that this conduct of the Senator from Nevada, Mr. Reid, is contrary to senatorial traditions and is hereby condemned.
Copied and sent to everyone on my list and to my Senators.
The only loser is Reid. What a piece of garbage.
Wrote him told him he wasnt fit to lead even a boy scout troop.
“Bravo!!”
Thanks. Always glad to help.
Bravo to YOU for your activism.
Grass-roots movements gotta start SOMEWHERE....
I think he wants to score points against Bush so badly that he is willing to betray his country and our military with his words. How is this a display of leadership? How is Reid’s statement going to move the situation forward? What if Bush said, “OK, we’re brining them all home tomorrow. War over. Democrats have declared defeat.” Would this make the world a better place, Iraq a peaceful nation, and our country safer?
Harry was probably just declaring victory for his side and didn’t have the nerve to say it that way.
I’d love to see some of our boys over there standing over some dead jihadis with a banner saying “These Guys Say You’re Wrong, Harry.”
Senator Harry Reid has given aid and support to the enemy that has been trying to kill my son for the last two tours of Iraq. He has given them even more support and aid this week by his statements. My son is going back to Iraq for a third tour. My son will face even more danger on this tour because of Senator Harry Reid.
SENATOR HARRY REID IS A TREASONOUS SON OF A BITCH and has the blood of American Soldiers on his hands.
SENATOR HARRY REID IS A TREASONOUS SON OF A BITCH and has the blood of American Soldiers on his hands.
BUMP!
Solution: Reid, tree, and rope. Some assembly required.
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