Harman On Iraq: We Should Take ‘Success’ Out Of Our Lexicon; ‘Survival’ Is More Logical

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/08/harman-interview/

Harman On Iraq: We Should Take ‘Success’ Out Of Our Lexicon; ‘Survival’ Is More Logical

ThinkProgress recently sat down with Rep. Jane Harman (D-CA), a senior member of the House Homeland Security Committee. Asked about her prognosis for the future of Iraq, Harman said, “I don’t think that the surge will succeed because I think our combat mission cannot succeed. And putting more good lives after good lives, as I put it, doesn’t make any sense to me.” She recommended, “we should take the word ’success’ out of our lexicon. ‘Stability’ and ’survival’ are more logical.”

Harman noted she “does not want us to leave Iraq.” Rather, she explained, “I’m someone who supports an ongoing mission in Iraq. But I don’t think a combat mission is the right mission.” Watch it:

The House and Senate will soon begin debate on an Iraq supplemental bill. Their respective bills currently contain provisions for the withdrawal from Iraq in one year. Bush has said he will veto the bill because of that provision. “My advice to this President would be think carefully before you veto this bill,” Harman said, offering that she is a member who could be swayed to compromise.

“There’s a recess going on. There’s time right now for the White House to reach out and engage in helping to craft a final bill that perhaps could show enormous presidential leadership. I would commend the President if he did that,” adding however, “I don’t think the chances are great.”

Transcript:

HARMAN: I don’t think that the surge will succeed because I think our combat mission cannot succeed. And putting more good lives after good lives, as I put it, doesn’t make any sense to me. Changing the mission permits at least a chance for stabilizing Iraq and the government in place, the democratically-elected government to survive. I think succeed — we should take the word “success” out of our lexicon. “Stability” and “survival” are more logical.

And I think many Democrats in Congress — I’m certainly one of them — don’t want us to leave Iraq. We want to change the mission in Iraq. Change the combat mission to a training mission and a counter-insurgency mission.

(…)

I think President Bush is wrong on Iraq. And I think among his other legacies, he may end up having destroyed the Republican Party because people are bailing in record numbers and becoming independents and maybe even some of them Democrats.

So my advice to this President would be think carefully before you veto this bill. See whether there might be something you could negotiate with Congress that could be an outcome that would be in your interest, in the country’s interest, and in the military’s interest. There is no final version of the bill on his desk. The House and Senate bills are different.

There’s a recess going on. There’s time right now for the White House to reach out and engage in helping to craft a final bill that perhaps could show enormous presidential leadership. I would commend the President if he did that. I don’t think the chances are great. But I would certainly urge him to consider it.

(…)

It’s important that we change the mission. The combat mission has failed. There is room — I just said I’m someone who supports an ongoing mission in Iraq. But I don’t think a combat mission is the right mission. Maybe there’s some room for agreement there. And if there is, I would certainly urge the White House to look for it. Because, in addition to the fact that the U.S. is isolated in the world, the White House is isolated in the U.S.

[Cha]

1. Isn't jane harmon one of

the ones who voted to bomb Iraq?

She must be real sad to see it didn't work out the way she thougth it was going to.

There is no Victory then, now, or ever in Iraq. The US Government lied and the US mediawhores helped them. harmon knows that.

Fuck you and your "mission", jane harmon.

[babylonsister]

2. You're asking a question and then cussing her out?

:shrug: Then, by your equation, the majority of prez candidates are immediately discounted.
I applaud anyone who sees the light and will fight to get out of this b.s. war.

[Cha]

6. I'm "cussing" jane harmon out

because I think she's a warhawk.

It's real nice that she sees the light(so to speak) but she still wants us in Iraq.

It would take a very dumb person or the chimpgang.. to "stay the course" now.

[Greeby]

3. Question, would Harman be saying stuff like this

If Marcy Winograd hadn't come within a hair's breadth of defeating her in the last primary? :shrug:

[babylonsister]

4. I don't know; she's walking a very fine line at the moment, contending

we should stay in Iraq, but our mission shouldn't be to prolong this war. I think there's a bit of Joementum in her, but she's trying to balance that out with political survival.

[Monkeyman]

5. Yep