---Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. & Condi THREAD 4 ---

[underpants]

Thread #3
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=3095443&mesg_id=3095443

[underpants]

1. Obama-the resolution is always 6 months away

3 questions

What are the benchmarks?
Why won't you be more specific? (actually I missed that one)
What IF they aren't met?

[underpants]

3. Condi"We will not stayed married to a plan that isn't working in Baghdad"

She said that twice.

[Richard Steele]

6. Coffee came out my nose. Un-fricking-believable.

[underpants]

20. I'm confused are they now NOT staying the course?

or am I just following too closely and my head is spun around from her nonsense?

[tridim]

9. How does she say something like that

without her head exploding?

[rodeodance]

73. but she has NOthing IF/WHEN THE PLAN FAILS.

[rodeodance]

78. she keeps repeating herself last few hours

[helderheid]

2. 1st rec

[LSK]

4. put the cspan link in

http://www.c-span.org/watch/index.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3&ShowVidDays=30&ShowVidDesc=&ArchiveDays=30

[Bluerthanblue]

5. Condi is crumbling- she can't rebut eom

[Cameron27]

8. Her voice is shakey

[Gold Metal Flake]

7. Need mods to lock previous threads.

The time order is getting mixed a bit.

BTW, I am hanging on these threads cuz I can't stream. Thank You!!!

[LSK]

14. this will repeat on CSPAN1 or 2 tonite

[Norquist Nemesis]

10. Obama: What are the consequences?

Condi: We won't stay married to a plan that isn't working...*spin*

Obama: Are you telling me that if in 6 months or whatever time...that if it's not working you'll suggest to Maliki you'll start phasing down our forces in Iraq?

Condi: Oil is important, they need to be even handed, more no-answer

Obama: The question is: WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES?

[annabanana]

11. The Lady in Pink... behind Condi's head

being carefully blocked by two men seated immediately in front of her,,, What does the button on her hat say?

[mwdem]

18. I don't know, but when she walked in, she was flashing the peace sign!

I thought they escorted her out.

[cyberpj]

21. self delete

[mwdem]

29. Oh yeah, she was even wearing a pink feather boa!

Security went over and said something to her. Cool beans that she's still there.

[annabanana]

26. She's being very carefully blocked..

(But the color gives it away. . . smart cookies)

[cyberpj]

24. Sounds like Code Pink person to me. Dunno. nt

[Bluerthanblue]

12. link-

http://www.c-span.org/watch/cspan3_wm.asp?Cat=TV&Code=CS3

[Greeby]

13. Biden "The Maliki government will probably be gone by then."

How true :eyes:

[Richard Steele]

15. "The Malaki government will probably be gone by then", did I hear that right?

[Cameron27]

16. Yep, Biden snuck that in, lol

[cyberpj]

17. Sen Lisa Murkowski (R) Alaska now up.

Talking about Great Britain drawing down forces while we're building up.

Asking now about Malaki saying the "surge" was his idea and he came to us.

[Blue_In_AK]

91. OUR Lisa Murkowski?!!

I'm glad to see she's asking some tough questions. She always has been more moderate than old Ted or Don, and has responded to my letters respectfully and on point, even though she doesn't always completely agree with me. I recall that she was extremely skeptical of renewing the PATRIOT Act, as well.

Maybe there's hope for her.

[Eurobabe]

19. Murkowski, AK, another CON not on board anymore

Jeebus, this is serious!

[helderheid]

23. Do you think we can stop this out of control train?

[tridim]

36. This hearing makes it clear that it is indeed an 'out of control train'

If nothing else it's now obvious that Bush's plan and our presence in Iraq is completely irrational.

[Greeby]

27. She's probably just worried after see what happened to her dad nt

[Blue_In_AK]

145. My e-mail to Senator Murkowski today...

I'm really quite proud of her.

Dear Sen. Murkowski,

Thank you so much for asking SoS Rice some tough questions today at the Senate hearing. I personally am adamantly opposed to the troop build-up in Iraq and believe it is a clear step in the wrong direction, when we should be bringing the troops home and seeking a diplomatic solution to the mess that the Bush administration has created.

Keep up the good work, and don't be fearful of opposing the president's policies. You will not be alone.

Sincerely, Blue_in_AK

[Bluerthanblue]

22. ticker played 3,000 Brittish troops being withdrawn during last nite speech

why are we alone? being asked again

[dogday]

25. Murkowski of Alaska

Not real happy with this plan either... Where are our coalition forces?

[annabanana]

28. Hey! She said "plus-up". .

I wonder where she heard that?

[graywarrior]

30. Astounding, coming from her.

[Hepburn]

34. My mouth has dropped open a few times with Murkowski...

... the echoing Barbara Boxer one? I nearly dropped my cup of coffee.

[underpants]

53. Bush and the cabal are now political pariahs

the Republican party has to find a way to never have them mentioned again.

Tough times tough times :evilgrin:

[Norquist Nemesis]

32. She just said that the new plan is staying the course

But she's just "skeptical".

[dogday]

31. Condi being forced to sit and listen to

the failures of the Iraq War... I love it!!!

[Justpat]

33. Murkowski bringing up the Brits intention to withdraw troops.

Bringing up the fact that we are alone in this war.
We have no more friends.

Now wants to know if the policy is worthy of their sacrifices.

Uh, no, Lisa, it is not. It is more delusional bulls**t from
President Chucklenuts.

Using all the administration orwell speak - "plus up"
the troops.

Can Condi assure different results this time?

Uh, no, Lisa, she can not - but it is her job to try.

Oh, it is so clear now - the rules of engagement were the problem.
Thanks for clearing that up, Condi.

[LSK]

35. rules of engagement and force #s were the problem

Ok...

:crazy:

[underpants]

49. She's doing Rodney and Sam Kinnison bit from "Back to School"

Say it SAY IT

Okay Johnson was a ****y he should have bombed the hell out of them and we could have won

[mikeytherat]

Love that scene!

'cuz Truman was too much of a pu**ywhip to let Macarthur go in there and blow out those commie bastards!"

mikey_the_rat

[Hepburn]

37. Menendez up now... n/t

[dogday]

38. Menendez said I didn't vote for the war and I am glad I did.... nt

[graywarrior]

39. Man, I am loving this today.

[sinkingfeeling]

40. Wow, sectarian violence only started in Feb. 2006 according to Condi.

[Norquist Nemesis]

41. Menendez up now

[cyberpj]

42. Bob Menendez (D) New Jersey up now.

continuing to ask about what benchmarks are

[TornadoTN]

43. Menendez: "I didn't vote for the Iraq war, it was the best decision I ever made"

[progressoid]

44. Menendez: "I didn't vote for the war in the first place..."

SMACK!

[Justpat]

45. Bob Menendez says Iraquis have to work it out.

An escalation by any other name is still an escalation.

Tell it, Bob!

[annabanana]

46. She is getting hammered.. left/right/R/D/

I love to see her on the hot seat

[underpants]

52. Yeah she is

she only has 25 mintues left.

I really hope the Dems in the House are watching this and will continue and reference these answers when she gets over there.

[Cameron27]

47. A surge by any other name is escalation

[TornadoTN]

48. Menendez: "We don't need a military ESCALATION, but a POLITICAL surge" n/t

[Blackhatjack]

50. If you were watching this bloodletting w/Bush in the White House ....

I would surmise that you would be observing Bush in the midst of having one of his famous tirades right now.

[Jacobin]

54. Nah. More than likely he's having his nappy, or playing X-Box

They put him in his romper room until the next time the AEI needs to pull him out and drug him up for another teleprompter thingy

[WinkyDink]

62. He's on MSNBC, having lunch with troops.

[Blackhatjack]

74. You just discovered his best skill ... eating, and staying disengaged

I would anticipate he upped his prozac dose this morning, having an idea of what was coming.

He always wraps himself in the troops whenever he has screwed up royally.

[Richard Steele]

51. "A surge would be temporary, and that's clearly not the case here."

I'm liking Bob Memendez a lot today!

[helderheid]

55. me too!!

[underpants]

57. How can you ask for the American people to give you a blank check

with no benchmarks..... they haven't been met in the past and there have been NO consequences

[underpants]

60. Condi 'The benchmarks are very clear, it is up to the Iraqis to set timetables...'

seriously she just said that they were clearly set but that it was the Iraqis fault.

[Hepburn]

97. Ditto. He did a heck of a job...

...and I loved the way he terminated his questioning of her.

[Blackhatjack]

56. Key Q "What do we do when the Maliki Govt fails?" ...Menendez

[Norquist Nemesis]

64. She keeps repeating "We're going to know if they're not living up

to thing, and we'll know early on!" She never answers the question of what the consequences are. It's spec-u-lation to talk about if they fail. :eyes:

[LSK]

58. same old benchmarks, no consequences

[underpants]

65. She said they were clear but that it is all the Iraqis fault

:eyes:

[Riddler]

68. Repuke Isakson from Georgia already bailing her out

[dogday]

59. They have already lost the support of the American People

Condi has not been in touch with the polls either....

[quiet.american]

70. Glad he called her on that. n/t

[Blackhatjack]

61. Condi won't answer the question, will not discuss possibility of failure

[Roxy66]

63. He is getting pissed!!! Your going down Condi!!!

[Greeby]

66. Issakson, you twit

This hearing might be on in downtown Baghdad, if THEY HAD ANY ELECTRICITY!

Dumbshit

[Bluerthanblue]

67. you HAVE to measure the concequences of any action... she's full

of crap.

RISK is important as to whether you choose to play russian roulette or not.
Idiotic drivel.... I can't believe she is trying to pass off the concequences...

[LSK]

69. I never even heard of this guy, but he sounds fed up too

[annabanana]

71. Isakson up (R) Georgie

RE: Negroponte
I guess Condi appreciates the break

[TornadoTN]

72. Isaacson (R-GA) - Essentially saying that its all the Iraqis fault (they dealt their own hand) nt

[rodeodance]

75. well, gee, i think we threw the first ball

[TornadoTN]

87. Obvious to everyone but Republicans apparently n/t

[Norquist Nemesis]

77. Funny he used more gambling references

Condi's getting another break now. Ooops! He's helping to hype the Iran prep.

[babylonsister]

76. Are there ANY pro-* people at this hearing? Not many 'friends of Condi'

there, from what I'm hearing.

[TornadoTN]

81. Isaakson (R-GA) and Corker (R-TN) were there to worship St. Condi

nt

[Inuca]

90. But they were the ONLY ones

which is quite amazing

[TornadoTN]

92. That's true - a little surprised

The R's aren't lining up - I think they are trying to save their own asses.

[Inuca]

131. WHatever the reason, it is a good thing nt

[LSK]

83. Corker

[underpants]

85. Isaakson of Ga. was but everyone else is trying to get as far from them

and this fustercluck as possible. Even Nelson of Fla. and Voinovich Ohio.

[TornadoTN]

Cardin (D-MD) - "Disappointed, it's time to start drawing down troops" nt

[annabanana]

79. Now Cardin (D) Maryland

Pointing out that B*sh hasn't listenend to ANYONE.. Not bipart ISG, not military, not no one

[underpants]

80. Cardin (MD) then... Webb (Va) with a Republican in the middle I think

Coming up.

only 16 monutes of lying left Condi

[TornadoTN]

82. Webb is going to be the highlight

Can't wait.

[LSK]

86. with almost no time

:grr:

[TornadoTN]

88. He'll shine in whatever time they deal him

He will make his point known.

[underpants]

89. *---- I think we should stay on this thread

Just my idea. This is going to be over in less than 15 minutes.

[cyberpj]

Wonder if they keep Webb until after a lunch break - Pace scheduled later, right? nt

[Roxy66]

84. I want to hear what Webb has to hammer her with n/t

[freefall]

100. I just turned it on and I'm glad I'm in time for Webb. Should be

interesting. It will be the first time I've seen him in action in the Senate.

Peace,

freefall

[LSK]

93. Blair agrees??? so UK pulls troops?? WTF

[cyberpj]

98. He has to show support to keep his Carlyle job. nt

[TornadoTN]

94. Vitter(R-LA) - Asking specific #'s of troop deployments.

NT

[TornadoTN]

99. Vitter (R-LA) - Wondering why we aren't sending a lot more troops than 21,000 n/t

[Roland99]

128. Oh, christ. Just what we need. Hundreds of thousand of targets and more Iraqi bloodshed

[Norquist Nemesis]

95. Cardin: Can you list the countries that are with us?

Condi: ummmmm.....

[underpants]

103. He asked if they concurred with this new plan

It was pretty clear that either Condi didn't know or more likely they haven't talked to any of the "Coalition" about this.

Damn shame because the Moroccan landmine monkeys might have been really influential with a "YOU ARE GOING TO DO WHAT??" input

[underpants]

96. Vitter (R-La) up -What is the exact number of troops?

Condi gets a break with a nice easy numerical answer.

[Bluerthanblue]

101. "too little too late" 22,000 troops

[TornadoTN]

105. I took it as he was wanting more troops than 21500.

Questioning why this number was chosen, "weren't all the past recommendations based on this same thought"?

[mrcheerful]

102. WTF a puke saying to little too late? What the koolaid wearing off?

[Hepburn]

Better late than never. n/t

[Blackhatjack]

104. Q"What Changes in Strategy & Mission For 132,000 Already There?"

The 20,000 bump is only 15% increase. Nothing is going to change because of that number.

What are we doing to change what our 132,000 on the ground are doing?

[LSK]

106. commanders on the ground suggested troops levels??? Casey? Abazaid???

T

[Bluerthanblue]

107. Vitter wants to know about borders eom

[TornadoTN]

108. Does Condi have to go to the House next?

Just curious.

[Bluerthanblue]

110. I think they said she has to be in the house at 1!

[Blackhatjack]

118. What? No time to change clothes? Boy she is going to look beaten by day's end.

Might be informative to examine a before and after picture of Condi before she started answering questions in the Senate and after she finished up with the House.

[Roxy66]

Oh...that should be good. Will it be on C-Span?

[underpants]

138. Probably C-Span 2

I can;t check or I will lose this feed.

I WILL make sure there is a thread on it

[Hepburn]

112. I thnk so..but not sure.....

...and if she does, she probably should stop and get a new supply of Depends on the way.

[LSK]

113. shes leaving for the middle east??

[Hepburn]

119. Thanks for the info! n/t

[underpants]

122. No she IS going to the House Foreign Relations comte. today

probably after lunch.

See how they scheduled her for TWO hearings the same day?

[TornadoTN]

130. Where is that one going to be televised? Ill follow it as well

I assume CSPAN 1 or 2?

[Riddler]

115. Casey up now. What happened to Webb?

[LSK]

120. Webb was last yesterday

[underpants]

132. We have already covered this

we are focused on moving forward

[LSK]

135. yeah but what happened yesterday?

:D

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

109. Condi is on the absolute edge of hysteria

How DARE even the R's ask her REAL questions???

She's hemming, hawing, and stuttering so much it's hard to draw ANY sense from what she's spewing. In other words, it's bidness as usual.

It's beautiful.

[Blackhatjack]

111. So What Have We Learned From Condi So Far? Feeling Assured?

Nothing new and NO.

[underpants]

114. Vitter is totally stalling-Now Casey is up (no Webb?)

[LSK]

116. 5 min left...

:grr:

[Riddler]

161. She's doing the Texas two-step around the question.

[Riddler]

Biden threatening her about a constitutional confrontation if they go to Iran!

[TornadoTN]

117. Casey (D-PA) up now. nt

[LSK]

123. Casey will not support surge

[Roxy66]

121. Will Webb have enough time? Is he next?

Casey (D) up now.

[underpants]

127. Biden said that they were going to have to go over on her time

he said that two hours ago or so.

There is a Republican between Casey and the next Dem who could be Webb but I don't know-it would make sense since they are the most junior members of this commmittee (Vitter, Casey, Webb)

[TornadoTN]

124. Casey - "I'm not convinced that this is a strategy that will work, so I don't believe I can support"

[Blackhatjack]

125. Condi just said " Iraqis want to do this themselves...."

So we need to respect that, and let them.

[POAS]

129. Yep, get out know-respect their wishes.

[TornadoTN]

126. Condi: Convinced that the problems are only in Baghdad and Anbar Province

n/t

[LSK]

133. the ISG Report said that many provinces were stable

But not many folks are there.

[underpants]

134. She forgot about the "problem on the Northern border" all ready?

:wow:

[TornadoTN]

139. Confused: Now she is saying that diplomacy is helping the situation in Anbar is improving.

nt

[Roxy66]

136. She is hanging her head low....when asked what she has done personally

hang it low lady....you have failed!

[Blackhatjack]

137. Now you see why Condi's diplomacy has not worked.... n/t

[LSK]

140. Webb!!!

[Roxy66]

141. Webb up now!!!

[Hepburn]

142. Webb is up!!! YAY!!!!!!!! n/t

[Eurobabe]

143. Webb, finally

[TornadoTN]

144. Webb bringing up Iran: "Invading Iraq would impower Iran" nt

[Roxy66]

146. Bringing up Iran!! About frickin time!

[Roxy66]

150. What!!! he would have his support?!! Did I hear that right?!!!

[underpants]

147. WEBB_ I am the last obstacle between ...Ms.Rice and the door

:bounce:

He said that he was the last obstacle between Biden and lunch...(turns to Condi) and Ms. Rice and the door

[dogday]

148. Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha

:rofl:

[underpants]

149. Compares to IRaq to situation with China in early 70's

He is being very nice

[underpants]

159. Referencing Exec.Order-Can you attack Iran without Congressional authority?

Condi will respond (not) in writing but their position is.....blah blah blah you've heard all this before.

[Hepburn]

153. Hehehehehehehehehehe....

...letting the prey know it is trapped!

[TornadoTN]

151. Webb being very diplomatic, but getting his point across n/t

[Blackhatjack]

152. Iran Question!

[helderheid]

155. GO WEBB GO!!

She will answer IN WRITING??

[quiet.american]

162. And we know the letter will never arrive. n/t

[LSK]

154. talking about Iran, asking if the IWR allows Bush to attack Iran without Congress

[Hepburn]

158. Great question....and he has her stuttering. n/t

[Cameron27]

160. She'll respond in writing...

[Blackhatjack]

156. Says will answer in writing..... ducking the question

[dogday]

157. Senator-um I um don't um know um

can't really um talk um .....

[underpants]

165. That's just Webb

He is just weighing out which element of thought to follow. He doesn't subscribe to the KISS method.

[janx]

172. She's the US Secretary of State and she

DOESN'T KNOW?

:wow:

[Blackhatjack]

163. Calls it out --"we all know the elephant in the bedroom here" ....

He is not letting her off the hook.

ASking her to respond.

[underpants]

169. I took that as being that he has vastly more experience than she does

and so he wants her to know that she can't BS him.

[quiet.american]

180. Excellent! Biden throwing down gauntlet on Iran! n/t

[TornadoTN]

164. Webb: "Things have changed since I was in the Reagn administration, that is, preemptive war"

[Blackhatjack]

168. Very straightforward question ..... now suggesting Bush go to Iran. WOW

[Blackhatjack]

176. If Bush went to Iran, I doubt he would come back.....

But I agree with the idea of pushing diplomacy with those we consider enemies.

[Bluerthanblue]

166. whoo hoo questioning "pre-emptive war vs. attack"-

[LSK]

167. Pre-emptive war vs Pre-emptive attack

[TornadoTN]

170. WEBB: "BOLD ACT IF BUSH WOULD GO TO TEHRAN AND ENGAGE IRAN HIMSELF"

[Richard D]

174. Oh Gawd . . .

That would be scary!

[tridim]

179. Don't worry about that, it'll never happen

Dubya doesn't do diplomacy.

[underpants]

177. Webb brought it back around to his reference to China at the beggining

WOW

See my post above

[LSK]

171. Bush should go to Iran like Nixon went to China

Wow!!!

[Bluerthanblue]

173. Webb wants * to get on a plane and go to Teheran !

[POAS]

175. If Nixon can go to China

Bush can take a risk and go to Tehran

[Roxy66]

178. WOW!!! Biden is laying down the gauntlet!!! Go Biden!!!

[helderheid]

I AM SO RELIEVED to hear them standing up!!

[Cameron27]

184. We will FIGHT you!!

[Roxy66]

186. "Constitutional Crisis"!! If they attempt to go into Iran!!

[YDogg]

191. music to my ears

[halobeam]

187. OH YEAH !!

[Bluerthanblue]

181. Biden throws down the gauntlett about Iran- constitutional crisis

if * thinks he can wage war on Iran

[TornadoTN]

182. Biden: "I will confront this administration if you try to cross the border into Iran"

"It is explicitly spelled out that you cannot act against Iran without our consent"

[dogday]

188. That was a strong statement on his part nt

[buzzard]

189. Which makes me think even more that is the plan.n/t

[TornadoTN]

192. Bingo! nt

[Eurobabe]

183. Biden closing remarks, don't think that the executive branch has authority

to go into Iran, this will cause a constitutional crisis. I will make it one.

WOOHOO!!!

[Blackhatjack]

185. Biden just warned Condi and Bush that there is no Congressional authority to go into Iran

... and he will lead the charge to make it a Constitutional crisis if he attempts to do so.

Biden wants a legal opinion from the State Dept as to their position.

[janx]

193. Isn't it a bit late though?

Isn't a carrier group already there--or on its way?

[bdamomma]

211. Yes, this is going to be constitutional crisis if they go into Iran

I except to see a very sedated bush if the Dems call him out on this. No more BS, WE THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. Geez, thanks to you all for keeping us informed, geez, I hope they show this again, I will be yelling at the TV. Thanks guys.

[underpants]

190. Biden-IF you act on IraN it will lead to a Constitutional crisis here in the Senate

adds that she has heard from 21 Senators and except for a few she has heard how upset they are with the war in general and this "surge" idea

[TornadoTN]

194. Webb to Biden: "Marines are already being extended to support the 21500 troops" n/t

[underpants]

195. DID YOU SEE THAT LOOK CONDI JUST SHOT AT WEBB?

:rofl:

She was like "How did you know about that?"

[Blackhatjack]

196. 'skepticism, intense skepticism to outright opposition to the President's plan' -Senators

[Bluerthanblue]

197. "this is NOT a done deal"

[TornadoTN]

198. "If you can't find a way to bring the American people along, then you are facing a serious problem"

N/t

[rodeodance]

199. "Constitutional Confrontation" to you condi--present from Biden

[underpants]

200. ---HEARING IS CLOSED--- Condi is going over to the House

Voinovich points out that none of this undermines support for the troops

[TornadoTN]

204. See you guys in the subsequent threads!

NT

[rodeodance]

206. SO DOES BIDEN.

[LSK]

201. OMFG what a hearing!!!! House hearing after lunch

:popcorn:

[Hepburn]

202. Impeachment???

Did anyone else basically feel that Biden was saying to Rice that if Bush continues to thwart Congress and the voters he is looking at impeachment without actually saying the word???

[TornadoTN]

203. Precisely. Give him credit for that, for sure!

n/t

[Cameron27]

205. Yes, I think he was giving her a warning

Constitutional crisis!

[Blackhatjack]

207. WOW. And Condi Gets To Come Back Again & Again .......

She has got to be thinking about jetting off to the other side of the world rather than take another beating like that!

[ClayZ]

208. WOW! I am amazed!

[Blackhatjack]

209. Will Condi's testimony before House Comm Be On CSPAN this afternoon?

[ChiciB1]

212. I HOPE SO! It's Hard Watching C-Span 3 From Here....

I get 1 & 2, but not 3! If she goes to The House I can watch both to some extent!

[bdamomma]

213. I want to see Kuninch go after her, he will be great.

he knows the facts!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ChiciB1]

215. I Watched Him On C-Span This AM! He Was Really Good....

It's too bad he's only considered a 2nd tier candidate. I didn't make it so, it is what it is!

But for a little guy... he does have cohones!!

[LSK]

216. doubtful, House is in session

She testifies before committees, not to the House in general.

[The Witch]

210. So THIS is what majority feels like! :sparkle:

Feels like... Listerine! I feel so refreshed, like we've totally scrubbed the crud out of things!

[bdamomma]

214. is that it for now? I am not even watching and my heart is pounding

boy, you guys should be correspondence reporters!!!!

[d_b]

217. what channel is this on