What happens if the Iraq report in September is great?

[Cant trust em]

Just for the sake of argument, let's assume that in September Petraeus gives Congress his update on the war and it turns out that the surge is working. The 30,000 extra troops is just what the doctor ordered and insurgent attacks have been halted in those areas that we were able to secure. It's a total success that can be built upon if Congress gives the military the time they need.

In this hypothetical situation I'm asking where do the Dems go after this? What does everyone think about that?

[MetaTrope]

1. It would have to work pretty damn well

given today's news that insurgent attacks are currently at their highest in four years.

[wtmusic]

2. Unrealistic hypothesis.

The war is lost. Period. Iraqis are fighting for their homeland -- they won't give up in September 2007 or September 2017.

[Contrary1]

6. Unrealistic...of course.

Manipulated? No doubt.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. I think your username says it all!

We can't trust them!

After all, they've been saying that we don't hear the good stuff....

That the damn librul media has been stifling the good news!

If the European press reports good news, then we can maybe believe it...

And where do we go then?

:shrug:

I really have no idea...

[EFerrari]

4. They should take credit for it of course, but, it's not going to happen.

[TahitiNut]

5. The UCMJ has harsh penalties for making a false report.

The UCMJ, unlike civil statutes, isn't forgiving of spin and faulty memory.

[MetaTrope]

7. No problem, the report will be pronounced "great" and made top secret under executive privilege

Let's get out the party hats now! :party:

[Why Syzygy]

16. ha . how right you are. . eom

[babylonsister]

8. It can't happen, it's too late. They know it, McConnell knows it, everyone

knows it. Plus, there's an election of congress people who are hung up on that. Too bad they even have to think about it.

[grytpype]

9. They still will fail the benchmarks.

The political reconciliation benchmarks will be failed. The Iraqis don't want reconciliation, they want to fight each other.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

10. Well Then That Would Be Great News, Of Course.

Obviously the disclaimer being if the progress was real and not propagandic in nature.

Where we would go from there I couldn't really tell ya exactly, but it would still revolve around bringing our troops home safely and soon.

[pinto]

11. I've wondered as well what happens if Petraeus, et al say "it's all good"

come September.

I doubt that will happen, but it's a reasonable possibility. Dem's in Congress need to have a plan B, C & D in that event.

My guess, from the few slips we've heard out of the Green Zone, is that they will play for more time. November was mentioned by a military spokesman there yesterday.

[Cant trust em]

13. I love your signature line

[The_Casual_Observer]

12. Dream on, it's 40 days away. Another crop just got killed today.

This thing isn't getting any better in 4000 days.

[artemisia1]

14. Nobody, but the 28% would believe them... /nt

[Why Syzygy]

15. If they need one more minute,

one more bullet to *secure* Iraq, we have FAILED. Sending MORE troops, or the need to, is NOT success. The insurgents and other random *terrorist**freedom fighters**whoever** all over that region have been strengthen and emboldened. They are fighting the most powerful nation in the world. And winning.

Bush is right when he says emboldening our enemies is dangerous. He DID IT! His looser policies have done nothing but rain havoc and divide the entire world. One world government? He can't even govern the White House. It has been off limits to the people his entire occupancy (someone correct me if I'm wrong on that). And he sets out to rule the world. What a clown.

More troops is not success. Think about it.

[SoCalDem]

17. Month-creep is in action..

Remember when the surge's effects would be known by JUNE? (that's the reason he was supposed to report to congress)

Then at the end of June, the WH announced that the surge had only just begun (cue Carpenters)

Then we started hearing september..

The other day I heard October

yesterday I heard November


and today I heard a general say "early spring"..

The WH wants to milk this as long as they can so the propagandists have time to "work this story" into a smilie face..just in time for the elelctions.. and failing that?


well all bets are off..

all that's needed is a "terrah-event" especially involving a media center (my guess).. that will scare the media types into line and they will gladly blame the democrats for not "allowing" the military to win..and for "emboldening" our enemies..

[ConsAreLiars]

18. Then Petraeus's head explodes and fairies fly around singing and the Dems

assure us that this is just business as usual and impeachment is off the table.

Edit to add - I'm pretty sure the fairies were singing Tiny Tim's "Tiptoe Through the Tulips," but it might have been Beethoven's "Ode to Joy." The premise is so bizarre that anything is possible.

[countmyvote4real]

19. We still have to get the F out of there ASAP.

Each day we put off going to the U.N. for their subsequent management and saying “What’s my tab? I’ll cover it.” The tab just gets larger.

[theredpen]

20. Monkeys Will Fly Out of My Butt

...if it's all that great.

I'm sure they'll give them best report they can -- which is scary because I think it will still suck.

[poverlay]

21. I totally just clicked on this topic to say just that. You read my mind...n/t

[MiniMe]

22. As usual, they are just trying to run out the clock

[spanone]

23. I assume petraeus will give a rosy assessment.

there is a story in my paper this morning about the administration wanting time PAST SEPTEMBER

IT'S ALL BULLSHIT.

[blondeatlast]

24. Petraus report wll be all kittens and sunshine, but the public won't be fooled anymore. nt

[VP505]

25. Undoubtedly

the September report WILL be great. Petraeus was chosen for that job for two reasons, 1) he is considered to have lots of expertise (credibility) 2) he is willing to tell Bu$h what he wants to hear. From what we have seen in the past we KNOW that there will be enough positive facts cherry picked to be included in his report that one would likely think that if only a little more time were given they could turn that corner that leads to, are your for it, a successfully outcome, as defined by Bu$h. We have been listening to that bullsh** for years now, why would anyone believe anything that comes out of the oval office after being fed so many lies for so long???

[applegrove]

26. If it goes well - it is because the US is making deals with the Sunni

insurgents..something they should have done as they deBAthefied the country in year one. So * is still wrong - he has just fixed a near fatal mistake. Means the neocons are still finks. Means that the US will be able to leave Iraq in less Kaos. Still means they should redeploy and concentrate of Afghanistan, Pakistan and the peace process with Israel/Palestine.