I've heard that Gates is assuring withdrawal from Iraq behind the scenes. Should

[blm]

he get confirmed, I would expect every Democratic Senator who votes for him to hold him to this promise. If he doesn't they need to do what they didn't do nearly enough with Colin Powell and his assurances - hold him to his word PUBLICALLY.

btw.....This is a newsroom tidbit that McClatchy received and decided to ignore.

[malaise]

1. Any why would anyone trust this

proven liar.

[flying_wahini]

2. they shouldn't believe it,

I can't believe in anyone that Bush thinks is acceptable to be a worthy candidate.

[blm]

4. I don't think Bush2 called the shots on this. I think he ACCEPTED an offer he couldn't

refuse because his team's incompetence has screwed over the longterm agenda of those who had painstakingly acquired the infrastructure to implement the fascist agenda over the last 40plus years.

[blm]

3. Here's why I'm inclined to believe it - Bushboy set fascist agenda behind for at least 10yrs

through his incompetent and overplayed stewardship of the agenda.

They had worked relentlessly for 40yrs to establish the dominance of fascism in this country and the world, but Bushboy overplayed it so badly he ruined it for them, so they need to retreat and rejigger. The best way to do that is end what Bushboy screwed up, and hope that a cooperative Democrat from the corporate wing of the party takes over and allows them to regroup and rebuild.....again.

The key will be for us to support their retreat from Iraq for the good it will bring, but be mindful of exposing them more fully for their agenda afterwards.

[ashling]

5. I believe it was Hillary Clinto who said

I think I can trust this whitehouse.

[blm]

14. I'm not so sure she meant it if she said it.

I certainly hope not.

[ashling]

15. which begs the question

what else has she said that she didn't mean?

[blm]

16. that's the part that bothers me....

annoys me would be even more accurate.

[EFerrari]

6. I'd think the Saudis would be demanding a withdrawal.

They are the ones who have really taken a hit. How they will survive George Bush is a mystery to me anyway.

[blm]

8. What I am guessing is behindthescenes the Saudis are demanding withdrawal

and likely an overthehorizon withdrawal so our military will still be close enough to defend them should all hell break loose.

[EFerrari]

9. I just heard Ray McGovern say that this genius wanted not only

to mine the harbors of Nicaragua but also to bomb them.

We could have had Iraq twenty years ago, right here.

[blm]

10. I've said before, the uncovering of IranContra and BCCI is what stopped the agenda

for a time and would have stopped it cold if it hadn't been for Clinton taking office and ignoring or downplaying Poppy's criminal actions throughout his term.

I doubt the fascist planners thought Bushboy could screw up their agenda so bad - I think that has to be the influence of the religious right and the neo-cons trying to add their goals to the pragmatic fascists who work best UNDERCOVER with no exposure.

Bush blew that aspect for them, so now they need to retreat and regroup.

And we will be in that exact same spot should another Dem from the coverup wing of the party take office in 2009.

[malaise]

11. Bingo n/t

[EFerrari]

13. Couldn't agree more. n/t

[Jacobin]

7. We have no choice. We have to leave

We got our asses kicked.

Its simply a matter of Bush's ego and saving face and how its characterized and how many more Iraqis and American soldiers get to die and be maimed while this little exit strategy dance plays out.

[blm]

12. Yep - and it gives the pragmatic fascists a chance to regroup to rise again.

Except this time I fear that they have been cpmpletely rehabbed as 'wisemen' through the constant bolstering of Bush1 by Clinton and by the corpmedia.

Leaving for another day the crucial exposure the fascist agenda needs.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

17. Memo to Gates: Your assurances are irrelevant. We're getting kicked out.

God forbid that the politicians and generals deal with obvious.

[blm]

18. I must say that I have been thinking that Saudis WANT us out and have told Poppy to

make it happen, and they don't care one whit how his 'boy' looks. I see that as Gates' purpose in all of this - he can deal with Cheney and achieve the results that Poppy needs before the Saudis turn on him, too.

I think this is something beyond Bushboy's control, too, at this point. Loyalty only goes so far.