Republicans betting debate on Iraq works in their favor

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: The Hill

Senate Republican’ decision to engage Democrats in an Iraq debate this week represents a risk that could further tie the party’s political prospects in November to the war.

The change in strategy from defense to offense was so quick that it caught Democrats by surprise Tuesday, after Republicans forced the Senate into a 30-hour debate over the war. GOP senators said the perceived success of the U.S. troop surge shows the war has finally turned a corner.

The gamble, however, is that the success of the surge will last at least through November. That’s when several politically vulnerable Republicans face reelection races that could strengthen or tip the Senate’s current 51-49 Democratic majority — a super-thin majority that continues to stymie major legislation.

Democrats say that more boots on the ground in Iraq was not the only goal of the surge, and they are quick to point out that the political situation has yet to change.

Read more: http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/republicans-betting...

---

They really are a one trick pony. They're also very out of touch with Americans and what's taking place in America. Poll after poll I've been seeing puts the economy ahead of the war in voters minds.

[Olney Blue]

1. More of Rove's 2006 "math". They are delusional.

[grytpype]

10. Right, the Repugs are in a death spiral and they don't know what to do.

Iraq is going to win the general election for us, as if we needed more help!

[ck4829]

2. Democrats can easily best the Republicans

Just bring up the bill that set up local elections and that Iraq's Executive Branch just vetoed, you know, one of the benchmarks.

[tekisui]

3. Let's have that debate.

This reminds me of the embarrassment they caused themselves on dickies impeachment. If they think they can debate Iraq as a positive because we have a slight reduction in violence and no real political progress, let's have at it.

Feingold can easily put that argument to bed. The facts are with the Dems on this one, let's debate!

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Republican delusional

They lost this debate a long time ago.

[dmosh42]

5. They count on the 'media' control they have on news....

The in-depth stories of the waste and corruption, and the genocide of religious sects will not be headlined. Plus, they would rather not deal with the economy and jobs.

[zbdent]

6. just start pointing out ... a billion dollars a day spent in Iraq on bribes, building

schools that nobody will attend, and trying to stop a civil war ... and the Repukes will use it as the excuse why they can't afford to do anything here at home for U.S. citizens ...

[gratuitous]

7. "Perceived success" passed off as proof

I don't know what the folks at The Hill are sucking down, but where I come from just saying something doesn't make it true. Rather than being "caught by surprise," I think there would be a line of Democrats out the door ready to "debate" Iraq anytime the Republicans want.

[Bandit]

9. Yep that same long line that is demanding Impeachment....D'Oh

Democrats don't have the balls to tell America the truth. Iraq is all about War Profiteering. Nothing more nothing less and Democrats are getting wealthy as well.

[CanonRay]

8. By November the economy will be horrible.

But the war may be just as bad.