It's over. The surrender is underway.
He dubs "hawkish" John Murtha as the "one-man tipping point" that has brought about the beginning of this end.
Time to cut and run.
Fineman writes:Initially a strong supporter of the conflict, [Murtha] had voted for it and the money to pay for it. But on his last trip to Iraq, he had become convinced not only that the war was unwinnable, but that the continued American military presence was making matters far worse.
It's the moment the Left has been waiting for. They think this is really it.
The Dems believe that they have finally gained some traction on their assertions that the Iraq war is an unwinnable quagmire and Bush is a complete failure who lied us into the conflict.
The Dems think they are winning over the hearts and minds of Americans, meaning they think that they have convinced the public that the U.S. must accept defeat and surrender. Most importantly, it's all Bush's fault.
I don't see it that way. However, I agree with Fineman that we are at a tipping point.
Yes, according to polls, support for the war is down; but I think that's more indicative of fatigue rather than the public actually tipping toward the Dems' strategy.
When faced with a choice between a cut and run, Mogadishu scenario and a chance for democracy to take a firm foothold in the Middle East, I don't think that Americans are ready to embrace defeat and hand terrorists a victory.
Those on the Left are in the unenviable position of cheering for failure in Iraq. Instead of applauding the remarkable strides our troops have made in Iraq since the war began and extolling their liberation of millions of people, the Leftists in government and the media must downplay progress.
When freedom is on the march, the libs are in the tank.
Fineman does mention that some things could be interpreted as successes in Iraq. He writes:
On the ground, the shrewder analysts say, it's not entirely clear that U.S. policy has "failed." The TV news, not to mention Al-Jazeera, doesn't regularly summarize the stunning changes in Iraq, many of them morally and politically worthy. Saddam Hussein is gone and awaiting trial. Schools, hospitals and other institutions are operating in most parts of the country. Voters have adopted a constitution. And even many Sunnis are gathering in political parties that are maneuvering in advance of the Dec. 15 national elections.
Not surprisingly, Fineman dashes any hope for a free, thriving Iraq in his next paragraph. He warns:
But fresh allegations that the government was secretly torturing Sunnis won't help encourage that sect to take part in the December balloting. And few members of Congress return from visits to Iraq buoyant about the likelihood of ending the insurgency any time soon without a massive infusion of additional American troops.
Fineman considers the administration's campaign to get the good news from Iraq to the public as spin, as PR to save Bush's presidency, like it's a game about presidential approval ratings.
I don't get that. Truth isn't spin. It's reality. That's not PR. That's telling the facts.
Here are some Iraq facts that Bush's opponents don't want you to know.
Recently 217 Police Officers Graduated From Advanced And Specialty Courses At The Baghdad Police College. (Department Of Defense Website, www.defenselink.mil, Accessed 11/20/05)
This Week In Iraq "One Iraqi Division, Five Brigades And 36 Battalions Have Now Taken The Lead In Their Areas, Compared To Just One Brigade And 11 Battalions Just Five Months Ago ..." (Department Of Defense Website, www.defenselink.mil, Accessed 11/21/05)
"Iraqis Now Have The Lead In Roughly 90 Square Miles Of Baghdad, An Entire Iraqi Province And More Than 450 Square Miles In Other Provinces ..." (Department Of Defense Website, www.defenselink.mil, Accessed 11/21/05)
This Year, Over 100 Leaders In Zarqawi's Network Have Been Captured, Undermining The Terrorists Ability To Communicate, Finance And Execute Attacks. (Department Of Defense, "October, 2005 Report To Congress," Press Release, 11/15/05)
"Iraqis Are Expressing Their Freedom By Providing Information Regarding Terrorists. The Number Of Tips Rose From 442 In February To 3,341 In August." (Rep. Duncan Hunter, "Talking Points: This Is No Time To Leave Iraq," Press Release, 11/18/05)
Iraqi And American Forces Launched A Series Of Operations This Past Week That Thwarted Terrorist Activities, Including An Attack On The Italian Embassy. (Department Of Defense Website, www.defenselink.mil, Accessed 11/20/05)
MORE GOOD NEWS
"Internet Subscribers Have Risen From 5,000 Before The War To 196,000 In September." (Department Of Defense, "October, 2005 Report To Congress," Press Release, 11/15/05)
"There Were No Independent Newspapers Or Magazines In Iraq Before The War. Today, There Are More Than 100." (Department Of Defense, "October, 2005 Report To Congress," Press Release, 11/15/05)
"There Were No Commercial TV Stations In Iraq Before The War. Today There Are 44." (Department Of Defense, "October, 2005 Report To Congress," Press Release, 11/15/05)
"There Were No Commercial Radio Stations In Iraq Before The War. Today There Are 72." (Department Of Defense, "October, 2005 Report To Congress," Press Release, 11/15/05)
Last Sunday on Meet the Press, this exchange occurred between Tim Russert and John Murtha:
MR. RUSSERT: Congressman, according to our military experts, there are only 700 Iraqi troops who are fully independent and combat ready. That being the case, if we withdraw our troops quickly from Iraq, won't the Iraqi citizens be overwhelmed by the al-Qaeda and Saddam loyalists? Are the Iraqis capable of defending themselves without the U.S.?
REP. MURTHA: Tim, I'm absolutely convinced that we're making no progress at all, and I've been complaining for two years that there's an overly optimistic--an illusionary process going on here.
Huh?
Absolutely no progress at all?
There is an illusionary process going on here.
Many of Murtha's statements on Meet the Press were reminiscent of Aaron Broussard's Hurricane Katrina appearance. His tearful stories were dramatic, but highly misleading, or if you prefer--UNTRUE.
"We are each entitled to our own opinion, but no one is entitled to his own facts."
--DANIEL PATRICK MOYNIHAN
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