Monday, September 10, 2007
Petraeus
The Democrats have slammed the Republicans — for not planning, not ancipating consequences — in going into Iraq. Now, less interested in putative mistakes or logical consistency, the Democrats want to get out yesterday, without planning, or considering the possible consequences from precipitate withdrawal. Petraeus was chosen to assess the situation and ever since the Democrats have been attempting to undermine him — before he even opened his mouth.
The Democrats appear intoxicated with a simple herd instinct, their natural intelligence and individual judgment vitiated by their cascading frenzy, “We were right (or so they think), so we should pull out now to underline our transient public opinion victory.” It's all about them, all about some distorted conflation of current circumstance with Viet Nam, all about winning a political battle at home; for them, it is not about succeeding in a military/political battle in Iraq with a sinister enemy percolating just beneath all this. Listening to the hearings, you would hardly know we had a real enemy in that part of the world. You would think the whole problem is politics in the States.
Everyone knows, in both parties, that this is a long term struggle and it will take a sustained effort. Anyone elected president will do just that — gird themselves for the long haul. Soft partition with troops in Kurdistan and reassurances to Turkey appears the best route — from people who have thought seriously about it — but who knows really? Congress isn't even talking about it.