Although the president was initially tepid to the panel’s report last December, Bush said its ideas now appeal to him because they offer “a kind of long-term basis” for stabilizing Iraq. “I believe this is an area where . . . we can find common ground with Democrats and Republicans,” he said.
Yes Bush “won” the show down with the Democrats on timetables but I believe this will be the last such victory on this issue unless in three months there is a complete and total turn around in Iraq.
This also from Bush:
“As it provides vital funds for our troops, this bill also reflects a consensus that the Iraqi government needs to show real progress in return for America’s continued support and sacrifice,” Bush said, alluding to the bill’s setting of benchmarks for the Iraqi government to achieve security and political reconciliation.
How many times over how many months will we hear this line. Wasn’t this what was said when the surge was announced, wasn’t this what was said around the time the Baker-Hamilton report was announced. Once again this points to the fact that for all the talk without some sort of deadlines for progress the U.S. is in an open ended committment to Iraq.
And while we continue this little dance:
The U.S. military also announced Friday that six U.S. soldiers were killed in a series of attacks across Iraq in recent days. The deaths put May on pace to be one of the deadliest months for U.S. forces here in years.
And further good news:
Radical Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr appeared in public for the first time in months on Friday, delivering a fiery anti-American sermon to thousands of followers and demanding U.S. troops leave Iraq.
This is from a story at USA Today.
So Happy Memorial Day everyone
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