Prepping For Petraeus

Washington awaits the testimony of General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker.  Senators McCain, Clinton, and Obama will have an opportunity to take center stage and ask questions, inspiring this great line from former Senator Alan Simpson of the Iraq Study Group - “Everyone is going to be watching this like hawks.”  Yup, even the doves.

Let's see - violence in Iraq is up in March, which means either the surge is a proven failure, or it has succeeded beyond expectations and must be sustained.

The WaPo offers a sneak preview of the testimony:

In a reprise of their testimony last September, Army Gen. David H. Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker plan to tell Congress today and tomorrow that security has improved in Iraq and that the government of Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has taken steps toward political reconciliation and economic stability.

But unlike in September, when that news was fresh and the administration said a corner had been turned, even some of the war's strongest supporters in Congress have grown impatient and frustrated. Petraeus, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq, and Crocker will face many lawmakers who had expected more by now and who are wondering whether any real change will occur before the clock runs out on the Bush administration.

Comments

[TCO]

I'm getting tired of the Paetreus love-ins. What he has done has reduced the sway of the national government in Iraq by empowering factions. When we leave, the Shia will still need to put down uppity Sunnis. Fallon was no fool.

[kim]

Oh, fah.
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[boris]

Goverent by elected officials stabilized by US and Iraq military force is better than any of the alternatives.

[Neo]

Al-Sadr demands Iraqi government protect public
A top-level Iraqi body calls for immediate disbanding of militias
Aides: Muqtada Al-Sadr Calls Off Rally

[DebinNC]

C-Span just cut to a drowsy Hillary, chin in hand, looking like she's been answering too many 3:00 a.m. calls.

[DebinNC]

Is it too much to ask to watch Petraeus without having to see Dana Milbank's smug mug over his right shoulder? Ugh.

[M. Simon]

Rally called off?

I'd say he couldn't get even 5,000 of his proposed 25,000.

He doesn't realize that with good camera angles and reporters in the tank for him he doesn't need a whole lot.

[Jane]

Clarice,

Petraeus is on the mud-wrestling list, isn't he? If not, consider it done as I'm sure your swoons rival mine.

[FD]

Did Hillary set of the Sadr counter insurgents when she said we won't leave? We won't build a base there so we save alot of money. We probably should leave and let them tear each other apart.

Sadr should work closer with dems.

[bgates]

Simon - he couldn't get 5,000 of his proposed million. Funny thing is, he doesn't realize he could sway the media with any number of supporters. If I were on his side, I'd advise him to go ahead with a no-man march and try for the headline, "Countless Sadr Supporters March Against US".

[clarice]

Yes, he'son the list, Jane.*sigh*

[cathyf]

He doesn't realize that with good camera angles and reporters in the tank for him he doesn't need a whole lot.

Reminds me of an old joke we used to tell in college about the Spartacus Youth League: "The Sparts believe in mob psychology. That's why they have their meetings in a closet lined with mirrors."

[M. Simon]

Clarice,

An attractive man will get your juices flowing at any age.

My mom (an 88 yo hardcore Dem) was just gushing when she told me Edwards put his arm around her.

You ladies have a lot to look forward to. I must say your choices are better than my mom's but, who can account for taste?