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You want a fight, Mr. Bush? On escalation, you've got it.
We all witnessed Mr. Bush's insulting performance on "60 Minutes."
Presidential hopeful John Edwards has come out strong against escalation.
Senator Chris Dodd, another Dem in the '08 race, wants to cap the number of troops in Iraq.
Republican Senator Hagel joined the Democrats against escalation today as well.
The AP is reporting about the Democrats resolution "against the Iraq war." But it's specifically about being against any escalation.
Well, not too long ago, Senator Hillary Clinton took part in the press conference that was postponed from yesterday. Here's the video. Below is the letter she sent to Gates. No, let me rephrase that one. Evan Bayh signed on to the letter with her.
January 17, 2006
The Honorable Robert Gates
Secretary of Defense
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301Dear Mr. Secretary,
We recently returned from an important fact-finding trip to Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan. Our trip has been extraordinarily useful in helping us assess the situation on the ground in each country and in giving us another opportunity to thank the brave men and women of the United States military for their service. While we hope to soon discuss with you our impressions of the deteriorating situation in Iraq, we write this letter now, and with utmost urgency, about the need to expand our stabilization presence and increase the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan before the likely Taliban offensive in the spring.
In our discussions with commanders in Afghanistan, they explained to us that they expect a large offensive by the Taliban in southern Afghanistan this spring and the urgency of a decisive victory against the Taliban and its supporters. The commanders expressed their concern that there would not be enough U.S. troops to conduct all necessary counter-insurgency operations in the already volatile south and east of the country. Specifically, the commanders told us there is an urgent need to maintain and then expand our presence in Afghanistan by two infantry battalions, and possibly a third battalion for a total commitment of approximately 2,300 troops. We understand one way this can be accomplished is by having one battalion stay in-country longer, and having at least one other battalion prepared to be sent to the field immediately. A third battalion would be ready for deployment should the situation so warrant.
The Taliban - and its al Qaeda partner - remains a pernicious enemy, and a failure to defeat it decisively in the spring risks undermining public confidence in the government of Afghan President Hamid Karzai. It would be tragic if we fail in Afghanistan because of an unwillingness to deploy a manageable size of additional troops to aid an important and willing ally during a time of true need.
We also were told by the commanders that there is an overall shortage of Intelligence, Reconnaissance and Surveillance (ISR) capabilities in Afghanistan. In particular, the commanders told us they need more Predator unmanned aerial vehicles. More than five years after 9/11, this is unacceptable.
Unlike in Iraq, we have a government in Afghanistan committed to promoting national interests over sectarian ones, is making tangible progress in governance, sincerely wants more U.S. help, and is fighting the enemy that brought us September 11.
We know that you share our goal of defending the nation against radical extremism and terrorism. It is in this context that we respectfully ask that the commanders’ requirements in Afghanistan be met, and that this happen with the highest urgency.
Thank you for your consideration.
Sincerely,
Evan Bayh
Hillary Rodham Clinton
Was this the first salvo on Senator Clinton's presidential bid? Let the debate begin.
- Taylor Marsh LIVE! can be heard from 6-7 pm eastern - 3-4 p.m pacific, Mon.-Thurs, with podcasts available.
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Hillary has found a creative way to be against Clusterfuck’s escalation- and still appear to be a warrior—SWITCH WARS! Now why didn’t WE think of that?
Jane!
JANE!
Thanks Taylor!
This non binding resolution against the escalation is almost worse than doing nuthin’ to me.
I am embarrassed.
Thanks, Taylor. Without FDL and all its great regulars and pinch-hitters , how would we ever keep up?
I’ve not been happy with HRC lately, like most posters here, but this letter, to me, puts the problem pretty succinctly. Afghanistan was and is so much more important than Iraq, and because of Iraq, it has been so neglected.
If Hilary and Bayh can get attention to the desperaste need to focus militarily on Afghanistan, more power to them.
Although I’d prefer to hear more screaming on the lines of “Attention! attention!” Whatever works. Even to contemplate IRan while Afghanistan slips away is just criminal - well, I know, it’s just one more crimal thing, but…
As a Blue Hoosier, may I take this opportunity to say that (and in the spirit of *ilson) Evan Bayh is *not* his father, and is no friend to we few progressives in Indiana?
He did my son’s commencement speech - I took notes - and all he said was re-cycled Rodney King.
The Republican position: None of these critics ever served in the Texas Air National Guard, so what do they really know about fighting wars anyway?
> close bold? @3
try again
Moderator: pls close bold?
I just had to tell you guys that I saw Chuck Hagel on Blitzer’s Situation Room: “This is not a monarchy!” Unbelievable. In other news, they mentioned that it appears the administration has agreed to so thru FISA rather than Alberto get grilled on why they shouldn’t. I want him (Alberto) impeached so bad I can taste it.
what have I done?
She is also proposing that if Iraq’s government doesn’t toe the line, oil royalties, death squads, etc that GWB would have to come back to Congress for reauthorization in one Friedman.
Won’t she be surprised when she finds out the death squads are being funded by the CIA.
I’m taking my foil helmet off now.
Hey firepups! I don’t know if any of you heard/saw this, but Chuck Hagel just said on CNN that we don’t have a “monarchy” in America. Bush is getting bitch slapped from all directions. It’s about time. However, that isn’t enough. We need action in the form of legislation that STOPS THE ESCALATION that Bush thinks he’s entitled to authorize.
I’m not seeing a bold anywhere. Everyone please refresh your screens and see if you are still getting a bold. And, if so, where does it start?
If Bush pushes on with his agression, I wonder if we will end up with impeachment anyway!
Casting the war as a zero-sum game, where Republican legislators have to choose between Iraq or Afghanistan, is actually brilliant. The kind of brilliant I don’t normally associate with Hillary. Hmmm.
BTW, follow up the non-binding feel-good bill with something binding. Create a hideous box for the Republicans. Make them vote-against-the-war-before-they-vote-for-it. Figure out a way to make them vote against the wishes of 70% of the electorate over and over again. Tie the GOP more and more to W’s giant failure.
Two interesting, and related stories today that are worth noting:
around 8:00am ET this morning, the top featured story on the MSNBC.com site was this, headlined as “Troop Surge: Commanders on the Ground in Afghanistan tell Gates they need more troops”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16666549/
Gates apparently is interested in this.
Second, Hillary Clinton apparently is calling for a cap on Iraq troops - per the secondary story at MSNBC.com right now:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16669005/
It’s also interesting to note that the top headline at MSNBC.com right now says “NO CONFIDENCE - Democrats: Iraq troop buildup ‘not in the national interest’.”
Oh, I think it is ON. There’s gonna be a showdown. I somehow doubt HRC will bring it… but someone is gonna bring it.
Christy Hardin Smith
Bold started at 1 and ended at 6
Christy, it is corrected.
All, please use the refresh button on your toolbar (or F5 on a pc) if you still see bold. The refresh comments button will not correct the bold.
Uh-oh. I was in mid-typing of rather strong anti=admin argument when everything I had typed “vanished.” Do I need a tinfoil hat? Or to bar my doors?
Maybe the bold is just showing up for those bold, pushy FDL’ers who speak out too much, not the rest of us mealy mouthed softies who mostly lurk. :-?
Taylor Marsh @ 13
We’re gonna punish him with a non-binding resolution. That’ll show him!
cleter says
January 17th, 2007 at 1:27 pm*
Casting the war as a zero-sum game, where Republican legislators have to choose between Iraq or Afghanistan, is actually brilliant. The kind of brilliant I don’t normally associate with Hillary. Hmmm.
Bill, is that you?
Taylor, thanks much for the post. Very intersting letter — and from Clinton and Bayh? Hmmmmm..the political kabuki meter in my brain is now going bonzer yo-yo.
Airport blogging! Hope y’all saw that the administration has agreed that the FISA Court now can oversea domestic spying.
From msnbc online, going now for a linky.
There ya go.
egregious @ 25
Have yourself a drinky too.
Trying again:
Taylor Marsh @ 13
Agreed, emphatically. Finally hearing out loud from politicians what we’ve been saying for many months.
However, is any legislation enough for these guys? Is it possible to draft a Congressional order to, say, Joint Chiefs, to arrest the P and VP? (trying to be circumspect here)
I’m starting to think nothing short of physical removal will stop them.
Yes, lots of ramifications, none of which I like, but I really feel we are facing the end of democratic experiment in the US.
Taylor Marsh @ 13
If Hagel keeps talking like that, he’s not going to get Christmas cards from any of the Bush family anymore.
Christy @ 24 - Yeah, Bayh in the picture does make one wonder. I’d rather see her with Webb, if anyone.
hackworth @
26
…and hope the plane’s not stinky-poo
Hil. Ever the politician. I no longer care what letters and to whom Senator Clinton sends them to.
I tell you what Hillary, you quit and denounce the DLC, then, maybe, just maybe I’ll sit up and take notice. No promises though.
Umm, why no mention of Pakistan’s involvement vis a vis the Taliban?
Huh, HRC and Evan???
Kabuki indeed and you know what– much too little, too late folks. I cannot remember the last time I heard either of these folks talk about Afghanistan…
or Iraq.
But they had plenty to say in support of the grievous aggression on Lebanon.
Ptooey.
twolf1 @ 30
And your name isn’t on “The List” (Boston Legal last night as prep for today)
Published on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 by the Inter Press Service
U.N. Move to Downgrade Disarmament Triggers Protests
by Thalif Deen
A proposal by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to downgrade the U.N.’s Department of Disarmament Affairs (DDA) — and possibly bring it under the umbrella of the Department of Political Affairs — has sparked a critical reaction from member states, peace activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Worse still, noted one ambassador who was present at the NAM meeting last week, are rumours that the soon-to-be revamped U.N. department of political affairs is likely to be headed by a U.S. national: a nominee of the administration of President George W. Bush, which has strong reservations on arms control and nuclear disarmament.
“Having an American as head,” the ambassador told the meeting “is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.”
hackworth @ 26
egregious @ 25
tejanarusa @ 27 - I understand your emotions, but I believe we’re actually seeing a revival of the democratic experiment and everything on which this country stands. It’s the beginning of a 2007 version of a good old fashioned rebellion.
dk2 @ 15
Before or after he starts World War III wherein we’re on the wrong side because everybody thinks they need to go to arms to stop our aggression?
Taylor Marsh @ 37
Taylor - I sure hope you’re right. I had hope for so long…how could any congresscritter put up with THIS outrage? Well, surely THIS one will outrage them? OMG, they’ve gotta respond to THIS one…
you know what I mean.
Anyway, I really hope so. There does seem to be a new mood…
So W is poised to lose TWO wars now!
I haven’t written Hillary off yet. Besides, it’ll be fun to watch a girl kick W’s ass. ;-)
cleter @
16
My, I like the way you think!
Oklahoma kiddo @ 34
Certainly true so long as the Bush Administration is in power.
Why didn’t the senators say anything about opposing an escalation in Iraq? That might be inferred by their call for keeping troops in Afghanistan, as reportedly some of the troops scheduled to be inserted into Iraq would come from Afghanistan. But the letter is silent on the overall issue of escalation in Iraq.
I hope this is not the best they can do.
twolf1 @ 30
Ugh. I spent a 9 hour flight the other day sitting across the aisle from a man who had obviously not showered in over a week, and did not use deodorant. Every time he moved, we gagged. Before you get on the plane, you might want to get some mints or something else to divert your smell sense in a different direction! A stinky-poo flight is no fun.
Senator Clinton, why don’t you send your letter to the families of the American soldiers who have perished in Iraq.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 34
You know, I had a very bad feeling about this new Ban Ki-Moon person. I really hate seeing this feeling become justified.
Here’s the short video of Hagel today, which is really worth the two minutes:
http://taylormarsh.com/video/_.....1-17-1.wmv
neurophius @ 43
They did talk about it in the news conference and proposed 6 month (that’s one Friedman) conditional continuation of support dependent on Iraq for making positive steps towards revenue sharing, death squads, which, if not met would require re-authorization of the war.
I hope this is not the best they can do.
Oklahoma kiddo @ 34
So don’t let it happen. Fight it back. 70 percent of Americans don’t much care for our warmongering ways lately.
rwcole @ 1
Actually, I like that bit of ju jitsu
Evan Bayh will be on the ticket with Hillary if she ever gets that far. Hopefully, she won’t.
Hmm, well, maybe this is another good omen:
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01.....r=homepage
HarperCollins announced today that it plans to close ReganBooks, the imprint created by Judith Regan, the controversial editor who was abruptly fired last month. The imprint will officially close on March 1.
Ann in AZ @ 38
This is the big worry in our household, where we’ve been viewing current events as a race between the Forces of Sanity and Decency and the Evil Bastards — the race is to change the facts on the ground.
My only hope hinges on the fact that this admin is getting to the point — in terms of their craziness — that they can’t really count on the personnel of any executive agency or military entity not to betray them — and thereby forestall Armageddon.
Why are we in Afghanistan, exactly?
Hill may think ‘we’ can ‘win’ there, but not everyone does. For instance, Capt Leo Docherty, calls the war in Afghanistan ‘blundering’. His observations suggest that beleagured Afghani politicians are more interested in some free muscle than in democracy. General the Lord Guthrie says it’s ‘cuckoo’ and that many, many more troops are needed. General Richard Dannatt says British troops should get out.
Wow, change quagmires. Not a solution. How about NO war.
new moveon.org ad was just on CNN
I hope Hillary doesn’t think that co-authoring a letter with Evan makes her Bayh-partisan…
Ann in AZ @ 10
I have a lot of questions about this announcement. Under FISA you get pre-approved individual warrants for each target. Just like regular wiretap warrents only in a secret proceeding.
If the Admin is willing to go forward with that now, does it mean that all the cries of FISA is too cumbersome, where just bullshit?
Or are they planning toask the FISA court to do something different than what exists under the FISA law?
This is gonna be another one of the “devil is in the details” kinda things.
DO NOT NOT NOT Get all happy about this, yet.
A little Vicks Vapo-Rub under the nostrils does wonders. Just be sure it’s in a teensy container — the TSA probably suspects that it’s a major ingredient in the Anarchist’s Cookbook.
Taylor Marsh @ 47
Taylor, thank you for your time and posts today. I am sitting here in awe of the embarrassment of riches we are privy to, here at FDL. What would our democracy look like if all the MSM took as much care to inform the citizenry as our community does? A hell of a lot better, imho.
Cheers~!
PoliticalCritic @ 51
Not that it will matter as much after the pickup of more senate seats, but Indiana’s governor is a Repug, so would appoint a Repug if Bayh left?
Taylor Marsh @ 47
Thanks for the video, Taylor!
And thanks for posting another great front page entry here.
neurophius @ 56
lol
neurophius @ 56
A big problem of Hillary’s is that she is Bayh partisan or republican-lite. She can’t hang with Webb. Webb’s too strong personality-wise.
She needs a limp noodle like Evan to make her look tough.
neurophius @ 55
Punaise….you gonna let neuro @ 55 get away with this?
Clinton-Bayh.
Now THERE’S an exciting ticket. I can just picture the scintillating repartee Bayh will use against whatever far-right dullard John Sidney McCain III is forced to pick as his running mate.
Ooooo, that is wicked clever. She still retains her hawk status and diverts attention away from Iraq and to Afghanistan. Actually, I could support this redeployment. It makes so much sense it is hard to see how Bush could oppose it and it would have the support of many Americans.
Crafty.
Writing letters to the SecDef is sooooo 109th. Hill’s trying to change up wars, very Thatcheresque.
I appreciate your post here, Taylor, and the heads-up, but I’m afraid Hillary by now needs to be very, very strident to satisfy my longing for leadership. Not sure that’s in her media kit for 2008.
Jacqrat & Mrs. K8 - You bet and your welcome. However, one of the reasons our politicians are sounding so brave is because of communities like FDL, as well as my readers and listeners to my little radio show, as well as all the other progressive blogs led by Jane (Christy, Pach, Rick, TRex…), Markos, Matt & Bower & Armstrong, John Amato @ C&L, and so many others. You all kept the DC Democrats feet to the fire. You are a big reason escalation has become a line in the sand. Don’t stop now.
Don’t forget Hagel’s smackdown of Joey Switchpack (via CTblogger). Apparently it was a hit on Youtube. That kinda makes me think Joey Liar/Bush/McCain are toast.
tejanarusa –
Thanks for the report on the demise of Regan Books.
I hope that it doesn’t mean simply that “Regan” in the name of an imprint is unacceptable because Judith Regan is long gone — and that they’ll be up and running with a similar entity (NOT named for a specific employee).
The non binding resolution is actually pretty significant- if it passes- it isolates Clusterfuck- particularly if a number of goopers sing on- we already knew that the Pentagon doesn’t support his bullshit- this would mean that congress has abandoned him too. For this to happen to a CIC during wartime is to cut his nuts off- and the world will know it.
tejanarusa @ 36
egregious @ 25
Airport blogging! Hope y’all saw that the administration has agreed that the FISA Court now can oversea domestic spying.
Hi, Egregious! yzdite c bogom! And take care of yourself. (Russian SO rusty)
ponehmahyu [i understand]. spahseebo [thx]
Haha I observe that I typed “oversea” spying, because I am about to go overseas. The ADHD mind at work, where everything is connected to everything else.
I’m still gonna run my blog from Russia so depression open house is still open. Come on over.
Capeman @ 60
Webb (D-VA) would be a better choice. He’s an FOB (Clenis made a campaign stop here), a former Repub (gotta get those Reagan Democrats), and the VA guv is a D.
But hold on a minute here! Neither Webb nor Hillary are my choices. How about Lyndon LaRouche and Mary Carey. Now THAT’S political theater!
Where’s Pat Paulson when you need him?
rwcole @ 71
But will it stop the Bush/Cheney mad lust for war? I think not.
twolf1 @ 55
Great ad. McNuts must be pissing himself.
TeddySanFran @ 62
Everytime I hear of a Hillary letter a silent shudder runs through me. & Evan Bayh? Joe Wilson don’t like him.
LHP
I like it too. I’ve always thought that Hillary is smarter than hell- and has plenty of assertiveness. Her biggest problem is that she may not be electable.
Hardball MSNBC
Sen. Clinton says she will introduce legislation capping the troop level in Iraq and requiring Congressional approval for any increase; requiring the Iraqis to certify that their security forces are doing whatever they are supposed to be doing; and another point that I missed.
looseheadprop @
50
Auntie Smitism?
Teddy
“Will it stop the war”
No- but it’s too early for that anyway- in my opinion..
This thing needs to reach critical mass- and we may be getting there.
hagel on Tweety now
Hillary is talking about “success” in Iraq. Where have I heard that before. From the prez perhaps?
Mrs. K8 @ 46
Oklahoma kiddo @ 34
A proposal by Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to downgrade the U.N.’s Department of Disarmament Affairs (DDA) — and possibly bring it under the umbrella of the Department of Political Affairs — has sparked a critical reaction from member states, peace activists and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).
Worse still, noted one ambassador who was present at the NAM meeting last week, are rumours that the soon-to-be revamped U.N. department of political affairs is likely to be headed by a U.S. national: a nominee of the administration of President George W. Bush, which has strong reservations on arms control and nuclear disarmament.
“Having an American as head,” the ambassador told the meeting “is like putting the fox in charge of the chicken coop.”
You know, I had a very bad feeling about this new Ban Ki-Moon person. I really hate seeing this feeling become justified.
egr:
A moonie in charge at the United Nations…what could go wrong?
Taylor Marsh @ 68
Wouldn’t dream of it! As long as I draw breath, evil is something I’ll actively fight. It’s just MHO, but I think I will have to answer to Someone once I stop drawing breath.
rwcole @ 71
I hear you and beg to differ. The CIC just thumbed his nose at the people who spoke out in November and he continues to do so– ignoring his OWN ISG! I worked hard (again) to change the political landscape last year and I expect more from this Democratic majority.
More, as in Ted Kennedy’s proposal. More as in Kucinich’s proposal. More, please!
Good grief, we are talking about life and death here and an administration completely OOC, delusional and dangerous.
One more thing; if all elected leaders and pundits would stop blaming the Iraqis, I sure would appreciate it. ;)
I mean, the moonies have done such a good job with the Washington Times. And owning all the television broadcast studios in the District of Columbia. Good thing that will never influence what is broadcast.
Minn Gov Tim Pawlenty has signed on to help McCain’s 08 bid.
The feeling here is that Senator Hillary has bombed.
angie @ 32
angie, did you see the frontline program on Afghanistan/Pakistan/Taliban resurgance. It’s just one big “Chinese” knot of politics, that chimpy and friends have no capacity or desire to understand.
Great video clip of Hagel - says he’ll continue to work to stop Bush’s plan as put forth Tues. night. That to be mute would be to fail not only constituents, but to fail the Constitution.
About time!
Small question to self: If it were a Dem saying this, would the MSM have bothered to attend the press conference? Part of our problem has been, like the pre-Iraq war demonstrations, the major media didn’t cover them, so it was as if they never happened.
Still, I’m glad to see this.
rwcole @ 77
My problem with her is that she likes corporations more than she likes human beings. She was, after all, on the board of Walmart. That in itself says everything I need to know. JMO.
Hi mui! Thanks for the link; I missed it and will watch it online.
All they “understood” was that a pipeline should run through it… nevermind about the “purple fingered” people who have suffered untold violence and devastating poverty for well over 25 years.
egregious @ 86
egregious –
Hi there! Hope your trip goes smoothly!
Actually, he’s not a Moonie. The name is a coincidence. This datum is from John Gorenfeld, masterful investigator of all things Moonie.
It was enough for me to know that this administration was enthusiastically supportive of his nomination to the position. Q.E.D.
Evan Bayh is the white-bread Obama.
Can’t we all just get along?
Mrs. K8 @ 93
I stand corrected. But now I fly.
Au revoir. Pray for Boris and the babies.
angie @ 85
You are correct that Little Boots won’t give a damn.
However, it is an excellent thing that the country is uniting against him. Establishing a national consensus on this war can only be a good thing.
He’s a uniter, you see?
ironranger @ 87
Just in time to watch McCain playing kissy-face and puppy-hugs with the Dumbya in the new MoveOn ad. Also being plastered with responsibility for the Escalation. Mmmm…yummy.
Mrs. K
I have worked for corporations for decades- there is nothing inherently evil about a corporation (in my opinion)- and there is no necessary conflict between helping them to succeed and helping individuals to succeed- it’s all in the details.
All these Democrats do is talk, talk, talk
Talk today about Sgt. Liam Madden, a kid from Vermont who joined the Marines after high school and ended up in Anbar Province, who says that you can be a good Marine and a good American and still want our war in Iraq to stop.
Clinton would rather be photographed with soldiers than do anything for them. The other day on “Face the Nation,” Obama looked like he wanted to hide under the desk when Bob Schieffer asked him if he backed Sen. Edward Kennedy’s bill that would require congressional approval to fund the troop increases that this President has planned. Obama started talking about a “phased withdrawal” and sounded like somebody trying to explain cricket.
http://www.nydailynews.com/fro.....2164c.html
Santorum: Bush’s Iraq Approach Is ‘Lincolnesque’
ricky, please wither away into obscurity. you’ve already perfected the irrelevancy part.
Hmmm. Npr just played pieces of both the Hagel clip and the McCain clip. Now they’re talking about “what’s changing.” Focus seems to be on FISA “surrender”, though.
angie @ 92
One of the most squeamish moments: chimpy screwing up *real bad* in a press conference with the preznit of Pakistan.
egregious @ 95
My prayers are with you and them.
rwcole @ 98
Those are some pretty damned important details. Large corporations are controlling policy in this nation — and foreign policy as well.
Take a look at the latest important Playboy article — on how Lockheed Martin has been steering foreign policy.
And it’s the health insurance corporations who are preventing decent health care for all Americans.
Those are just two examples. You know what I mean.
The fusion of corporations and the state was Mussolini’s definition of his own ideology of fascism.
That judicial determination (made by a Supreme Court clerk, not even a judge) that corporations have all the rights of a human being cannot stand.
Our tyranny of the state is really the tyranny of the corporate state.
AP - Defense Secretary Robert Gates suggested on Wednesday that he is likely to urge President Bush to send more troops to Afghanistan to fight the resurgent Taliban.
Right. Just like another super power did not so long ago. And just where are these additional troops going to come from. Alchemy perhaps?