The twisted logic of centrists on Iraq

[ProSense]

(emphasis added)

Doug Schoen| BIO

After Petraeus, Conciliation: The Report Must Not Derail a Moderate Democratic Strategy

Posted September 14, 2007 | 03:43 PM (EST)

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The situation in Iraq is deteriorating, improving, or staying the same, depending on who is asked. To dispute minor improvement accomplishes little. If the Democrats are serious about winning in Iraq, building their majority, and taking the White House, they will "stay the course" -- the moderate course of the past few weeks, that is.

After months of demanding a hard-and-fast deadline for an American troop withdrawal, Harry Reid recently changed his tune, calling for a strongly bipartisan approach. The move was both sound policy and shrewd politics; it puts the security of American troops first, and ultimately sets the Democratic Party up for victory in 2008.

Gone is the posturing and preaching that marked Reid's pronouncements earlier in the year (when he announced solemnly that the war in Iraq was "lost.") The new Reid appears better in touch with reality: Democrats simply do not have the votes to force a unilateral withdrawal, and advocating such a position is bad for America and bad for the Democratic Party.

The Petraeus report must not distract from this logic.

The electorate has had it with the war in Iraq -- close to two thirds want an orderly withdrawal of troops to begin immediately. That being said, the American people understand that to withdrawal completely and unilaterally without a clear strategy for pacifying the country is risky.

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Polling from Penn Schoen & Berland shows a strong desire for the parties to work together to develop coherent, long term strategies to fight terrorism and protect American interests around the world.

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Penn Schoen & Berland

Mark Penn has helped to elect over 25 leaders in the United States, Asia, Latin America and Europe. Currently, he serves as Chief Strategist to Senator Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign.

[sandnsea]

1. So this is Hillary's strategy

It's one thing to admit you don't have the votes, it's completely different to not even advocate for your position. It looks like the Clinton people have decided to not even try to end the war now. I don't know how we can trust her to end it in 2009.

[OHdem10]

2. I have been watching C-Span for over 20 years. and Mark

Penn has een saying 'people want us to work together every
year".

I think most people realize any withdrawal has to be orderly.

GOP talking points: Cut and Runners want to just leave with
no planning.

It would be nicd if these people who put out these articles
would get themselves before the Camera and let the American
People know what they believe. Be sure they distinguish
themselves from GOP or they will hand the election to GOP.

The GOP define our party and our parties position falsely
every day and no one ever bothers to correct it.

[ProSense]

3. "depending on who is asked"

The policy shouldn't be based on reality---a failed policy, deteriorating condition, and the dozens of Americans and thousands of Iraqis dying each month. It should be based on appeasing those who are wrong and delusional.

[Telly Savalas]

4. Centrists believe we need to withdraw our troops from Iraq.

There's nothing moderate about the prolongation of this clusterfuck.

[ProSense]

5. Kick! n/t