(Carl Levin) Key Democrat: Bush 'Out Of Touch' On War

[sabra]

http://www.ksat.com/politics/10224605/detail.html

Key Democrat: Bush 'Out Of Touch' On War

WASHINGTON -- The top Democrat on the Senate Armed Services Committee said Thursday that President George W. Bush is "totally out of touch with Iraqi reality."

Sen. Carl Levin, D-Mich., called it "astounding" that the president would say he's pleased with the progress in Iraq. Levin says it's time to stop the "open-ended commitment" of American troops, and force the Iraqis to "come to grips" with the situation in their country.

In a conference call with Levin , another Armed Services Committee Democrat called Iraq a "chaotic, failed state."

Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., said he is also concerned that Bush intends to keep Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon for the rest of his presidency.

[Vidar]

1. Thanks, Carl.

[Faygo Kid]

2. Dupe

[Faygo Kid]

3. Just moved from Michigan, and still proud of Carl Levin

He is a man of great substance, despite his George Clooney, Cary Grant type of sex appeal.

[goforit]

4. Rummy and Cheney are out touch as well.

[wisteria]

5. Levin, the man that said Senator Kerry doesn't represent the party?

Kerry isn't suppose to say anything against Bush, but it is fine for Levin to do it? What a chicken - he emerges when it is safe to do so.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-33/1162397103111700.xml&coll=6

GRAND RAPIDS -- U.S. Sen. Carl Levin today called on Democratic colleague Sen. John Kerry to apologize for controversial comments about the troops in Iraq, calling them a "botched statement by a former candidate who doesn't represent this party."

[Egnever]

6. WTF?

It was a botched statement and kerry should have apologized and said it was a botched statement just as he did.If he had immediately this story wouldn't have lasted ten minns forget about two days.

[wisteria]

7. You are wrong about that. The repubs were planning on running

away with this even with an apology. It was suppose to be a springboard to discussing that Dem's don't support the troops. It would not of gone away. Actually, Levin and others missed a prime opportunity to defend Kerry and focus on Iraq and the mess there. That is what Kerry said initially.
And, Kerry really had nothing to apologize for other than omitting the word "us" from a statement he had made. Why should he have apologized when it was obvious that he was being swift boated again. They were attacking his honor and his integrity. Kerry said he nothing to apologize for and refocused the attention on Iraq.
Why do you think Dem's should always apologize- even when they are wronged- and Republicans not apologize for anything?

Levin's statement was nasty and uncalled for-period. He actually owes the Senator an apology.

[AllexxisF1]

8. I absolutely adore Carl Levin.

Moreover is it me or does Carl just look the part as Statesman? I mean he looks like he could leap out of the famous picture of people signing the Declaration of Independance
:-)

[Egnever]

9. Where do you get I think Dem's should always apologize?

I didn't say that anywhere. I was a huge Dean supporter during the last election and there is absolutely nothing apologetic about him. Kerry however screwed up his speech and like it or not the result was incredibly insulting to the troops. Sure its not what he meant but taking two days to acknowledge the mistake and trying to defend it only made it worse. Had he just come right out and said I misspoke it would have diffused the situation much earlier. Everyone misspeaks people understand it and are forgiving of it trying to push the original intent of his joke instead of just apologizing for the misstatement was a typical kerry blunder and did nothing but continue the debate on what should have been a non issue.

And as far as me thinking republicans shouldn't apologize for anything.... well that statements so laughable its funny.

When did levin make the statement and what did he know at the time? if all he was presented with was kerry's original quote at the time then he was absolutely right. Kerry's original quote was ridiculous and should have been addressed immediately instead of trying to wiggle out of it to save face he should have just done what took him two three days to do anyway.

Kerry owes every democrat running an apology for taking the focus from their campaigns for two days cause he was too stubborn to apologize for a joke that should never have been told in the first place.Had he continued to be an arrogant ass that thinks he can do no wrong we would still be talking about this idiocy today on the MSM instead of just on the RW blowhard stations.

Sorry but Kerry will never be president he needs to let the people that are running have their time in the spotlight instead of trying to run for president two years ahead of time.

I actually heard kerry have the balls the other day to claim this was bushes war as if he didn't enable it with his vote or pretending like he voted against it. Had he had the balls to stand up and do what was right in the first place then maybe he could call this bushes war but since he gave the go ahead himself he owns a part of it.When he apologizes for that bit of idiocy I might take his posturing seriously again.

[chemenger]

10. Levin should have stopped after "touch."

Since when has GeeDubya ever been in touch with anything other than his own hedonistic needs.