Baird’s(D-WA) war turn blew ‘any chance’ of Iraq ‘compromise.’

[babylonsister]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/11/13/baird-war-turn/

Baird’s war turn blew ‘any chance’ of Iraq ‘compromise.’

In August, Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) returned from a two-day trip to the war-torn country, proclaiming that “real progress” was being made and that the escalation should be extended “at least into early next year.” Baird touted his new position on the war with a conservative media tour. According to a new analysis by the Politico’s Jim VandeHei and John F. Harris, it was Baird’s pro-escalation turn that ruined “any chance of a compromise” on Iraq policy:

House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) told us last week his biggest fear early on was that Democrats would seek compromise solutions with moderate Republicans on the war and other issues.

Blunt suggested the strategy probably would have worked.

But once Rep. Brian Baird (D-Wash.), a staunch war opponent, returned from a visit to Iraq and applauded the surge, any chance of a compromise clampdown ended.

[spanone]

1. blackmail....bu$hco can wiretap anyone at will.

[redqueen]

2. And they never did find the weapons-grade anthrax mailer, did they?

I wouldn't put anyting past these people.

[liberal N proud]

5. The regime has something it is twisting arms with

Threat of exposing something or as I suspect, maybe something bigger.

[ProSense]

3. That's a bit ridiculous, but expected from Politico. n/t

[babylonsister]

4. Yes, ridiculous of Baird, but Blunt could be talking out his... nt

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Baird is my rep and answered my letter to him about his switch.

In brief, he said that he visited Iraq, talked to politicians, generals, soldiers and civilians and now believes that we must stay long enough to "stabilize" the situation and ensure that the Iraqi government can stay in power.

One of Bush's speech writers could have written much of his letter to me.

In my original letter I told him that I would no longer support or vote for him in the '08 election.

His response reinforced my decision.

[zbdent]

8. I would expect that any of the soldiers and civilians that spoke with him

were quite safe to speak with ... according to Blackwater's standards ...

[DCKit]

7. Of course if I got a guided tour with a whole contingent of Marines to guard me...

I'd be tempted to believe what they showed me. It's not as if this guy speaks the language or anything.