Dodd: Leadership On Iraq Now

By Big Tent Democrat, Section War In Iraq
Posted on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 11:19:56 AM EST
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Speaking only for me of course

The NYTimes reports on the lack of Dem resolve on Iraq:

With a mixed picture emerging about progress in Iraq, Senate Democratic leaders are showing a new openness to compromise as they try to attract Republican support for forcing at least modest troop withdrawals in the coming months. . . . Senator Carl Levin, Democrat of Michigan, said, "If we have to make the spring part a goal, rather than something that is binding, and if that is able to produce some additional votes to get us over the filibuster, my own inclination would be to consider that."

In response, Sen. Chris Dodd provides leadership on Iraq now:

More...

Today Presidential Candidate Chris Dodd expressed his opposition to the reported Levin-Reed legislation: "Rather than picking up votes, by removing the deadline to get our troops out of Iraq you have lost this Democrat's vote. Despite the fact that this has been the bloodiest summer of the war and report after report says that there has been little to no political progress, the White House continues to argue that their strategy is working. It is clear that half measures are not going to stop this President or end this war. I cannot and will not support any measure that does not have a firm and enforceable deadline to complete the redeployment of combat troops from Iraq. Only then will Congress be able to send a clear message to the President that we are changing course in Iraq, and a message to the Iraqis that they need to get their political house in order. I urge my colleagues to join me and declare their opposition to this measure.

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Dodd: Leadership On Iraq Now | 30 comments (30 topical)

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That Times article ruined my night (5.00 / 3) (#1)
by andgarden on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 11:47:23 AM EST

And Dodd just made my day.

Very good on Dodd's part. (5.00 / 3) (#2)
by Geekesque on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 12:28:32 PM EST

I urge Obama to do likewise here.

Sure wish Dodd's principled public position (5.00 / 2) (#3)
by oculus on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 02:12:59 PM EST

would cause at least some uptick in the polls. I'm afraid if Ophra endorses Obama it will have the same effect as her pushing a book. Herds of people descend on the bookstore the next a.m. and the book is immed. sold out.

I'm with you (5.00 / 2) (#4)
by Militarytracy on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 02:36:22 PM EST

First the Supreme Court gives me a president, then the corrupt Repub system of Ohio gives me a president, if Oprah now gives me a president that is fricken it man.

[ Parent ]

I don't know enough about (5.00 / 2) (#5)
by oculus on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 02:39:18 PM EST

FEC to predict if she would have to suspend her appearances on her own show if she campaigned for Obama. But, she already has plenty of money.

[ Parent ]

: I saw an interview with her yesterday (none / 0) (#30)
by Militarytracy on Sun Sep 09, 2007 at 10:37:23 AM EST

Where she stated that no candidates would be appearing on her show because she is backing Obama fully. She said that it would be unethical for her to interview candidates since she is obviously biased..........and all this time I thought that those people were Experts.

[ Parent ]

A question remains... (5.00 / 1) (#6)
by Lora on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 03:15:22 PM EST

I'm glad to see a Democrat that doesn't cave. However, does Dodd or anyone know just how the Iraqis are supposed to "get their political house in order?"

I think it's up to Iraqis to decide (none / 0) (#8)
by Edger on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:06:59 PM EST

how to get their house in order, and also up to them to decide what "in order" means too, no?

I don't they much care what anyone else thinks at this point. From their perspective I imagine they figure no one else has any business sticking their noses in their business.

[ Parent ]

: errr.. I don't :think: they much care (none / 0) (#11)
by Edger on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:39:16 PM EST

[ Parent ]

This is great (5.00 / 1) (#7)
by Edger on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 03:56:12 PM EST

Sen. Dodd is the kind of guy I had in mind the other day when I said that I think "if leading Democrats heard enough people say to them that they will not vote for ANY Democrats next year EXCEPT Democrats who have been vocally, and by their votes on supplementals, calling for total withdrawal from Iraq they would quickly notice."

Imagine what Pelosi and Reid and Clinton and Obama might start saying (and doing) about the Iraq occupation if Dodd's poll numbers started to soar, and he turned into a come from behind superstar in the next few months.

"They would notice if enough people turned the tables on them and used fear to motivate them, instead of voting simply out of fear of republicans."

I'm pretty sure they'll notice if enough people don't, too....

Is this new cockeyed optimism (5.00 / 1) (#9)
by oculus on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:18:50 PM EST

due to residual anesthetic?? Welcome back.

[ Parent ]

: Thanks, Oculus :-) (5.00 / 1) (#10)
by Edger on Thu Sep 06, 2007 at 04:28:38 PM EST

I think it's more cockeyed realism no?. A lot of pretty big "ifs" in it...

[ Parent ]

kos seem to be (none / 0) (#12)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 06:15:08 AM EST

continuing to do what he started doing on Tuesday.

Good for you, BTD. The constant shoulder against the mountain pushing is maybe starting to budge the mountain, or at least starting some small temblors in the foothills:

Here's the bottom line -- the voters elected a Democratic House and a Democratic Senate in 2006 to get the f' out of Iraq. Democrats don't need to compromise with Republicans. If there's no money, there's no way to continue the war. And with Democrats in total control of the House, and with the ability to filibuster any funding bill in the Senate, our side can hole up any bill that doesn't do what WE want to do.
...
And as of now, Hillary and Barack are still hiding, afraid of showing "leadership" on the issue

Let's hope kos continues.... let's keep light fires under his... umm, [chair] ;-)

DId you hear Bill Clinton this a.m. (5.00 / 1) (#14)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 12:21:05 PM EST

on Morning Edition? He says a "substantial drawdown" is necessary in case something happens in the U.S. requiring U.S. military response. Sure wish Hillary Clinton's advisers would listen up. P.S. Go to NPR.org. My link isn't linking today!

[ Parent ]

Thanks... (none / 0) (#15)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 12:33:13 PM EST

I didn't hear him, and I have to go out for awhile, but I will listen when I get back.

Is this the NPR link you mean?

Bill Clinton Urges 'Substantial Drawdown' in Iraq

[ Parent ]

Yes. [Show off!] (5.00 / 1) (#16)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 01:07:47 PM EST

Thanks. Good to hear you are able-bodied enough to have an "airing," as my daughter called it when I was on crutches and unable to drive.

[ Parent ]

Aww, jeeze! (5.00 / 1) (#17)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 02:57:56 PM EST

I was just being helpful. Cut me some slack, sheesh! :-)

[ Parent ]

I repeatedly tried your methods but (none / 0) (#18)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 03:50:24 PM EST

no link. Glad you were able to link, as the interview was quite interesting. P.S. I think Bill is losing his Southern accent.

[ Parent ]

Are you on a windows machine? (none / 0) (#19)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 04:43:36 PM EST

[ Parent ]

Always. (none / 0) (#20)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 04:56:14 PM EST

Only my daughter has a Mac (due to her mother's extreme generosity).

[ Parent ]

THis May Work (5.00 / 1) (#23)
by squeaky on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 05:13:38 PM EST

a manual template for you:

<a href="paste your link here">paste text you want to highlight here</a>

[ Parent ]

I don't really understand (none / 0) (#21)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 05:00:30 PM EST

why it doesn't work for you. If you know how to make a screen shot and attach it to an email... why don't you try to make a link in a comment box and take a screen shot of it before you click post, and send it to me? edger10@gmail.com

[ Parent ]

Actually, its been foolproof until (none / 0) (#22)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 05:05:55 PM EST

today.

[ Parent ]

The only other thing I can suggest (none / 0) (#24)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 05:34:11 PM EST

without seeing it - is reboot your computer.

[ Parent ]

I tried the "link" box on a different (none / 0) (#25)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 06:48:51 PM EST

thread and it worked.

[ Parent ]

: It'll do that occassionally. (none / 0) (#26)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 07:26:25 PM EST

Happens to me too. It's a bug either in scoop or in the browsers - or in the javascript interpretation.
Try refreshing the thread with the thread title link at the bottom next time.

[ Parent ]

Maybe this (none / 0) (#27)
by squeaky on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 07:56:17 PM EST

Make sure that the button under the comment button is in Auto Format and not Plain Text.

[ Parent ]

That seems to work. (none / 0) (#28)
by oculus on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 08:01:34 PM EST

: In ::your :: (none / 0) (#29)
by Edger on Sat Sep 08, 2007 at 05:19:14 AM EST

User Preferences: Interface do you have the checkbox for Use dynamic interface elements: checked?

[ Parent ]

And this morning on the dKos FP from Devilstower (none / 0) (#13)
by Edger on Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 08:47:06 AM EST

We're but a Freidman unit away from Magical April, when the administration will run out of troops to put on the front lines, draw back to the levels before the recent escalation, parade it before the public as a "large reduction in forces," and claim that they, not the Democrats, are the only ones doing anything about reducing forces in Iraq.
And if Democrats don't have the guts to block yet another "supplemental," the administration will be right.