Obama And Petraeus

The Times tells us about the evolving and improving relationship between Gen. Petraeus and his Commander-in-Chief.

I like the reason the General is so well respected:

Like no other figure today, General Petraeus has stepped into Gen. Colin L. Powell’s shoes as the face of the military to ordinary Americans, particularly as the White House extols the end of the combat mission in Iraq, which was largely made possible by the troop surge that General Petraeus orchestrated.

General Petraeus orchestrated the surge, but who ordered it?  A mystery!  But Bush did get mentioned earlier, when we were told that Petraeus was one of his favorites.

The Times almost gets snide here:

General Petraeus has a history of early optimistic assessments that proved largely correct; one dates back to the Iraq surge, over which he and Mr. Obama first butted heads. Military officials say that during the early days of the surge, General Petraeus cited what his staff termed “leading indicators” of progress, even when much of the private and public discussion of the war effort was still negative. (During one Senate hearing with General Petraeus, then-Senator Obama accused the Bush administration of setting “the bar so low that modest improvement in what was a completely chaotic situation” was considered success.)

I stand by my earlier snarkery on the topic of Petraeus and Obama - one of these men has made history and changed a nation with his transformative leadership; the other got a lot of the asbestos out of Altgeld Gardens.

Comments

[Clarice]

Lisa's first move was to send emails to all the lobbyists she deals with seeking a Sunday conference call--mostly energy company lobbyists. They hate cap and trade; she was one of the few Republicans for it. I think Sunday may be a wake up call for her.She no longer has a leadership position in the Senate; her chances of winning are slender; she is for the one thing they detest.

[narciso]

It's not coincidental that Halvorsen's opponent in Kenzinger (sic) one of the 20 house reps that Sarah has endorsed

[JM Hanes]

Ann:

I was actually looking for what I assume must have been Murkowski's presser.

You'll love Jonah Goldberg on the grasping Alaskan: "Arlen Specter in a dress."

[Clarice]

Crazy Chris finally catches on:

[quote]MATTHEWS: Let me finish tonight with a question. Just where do you think this explosion of voter anger we saw last night in Delaware and have seen growing in voters in Pennsylvania, Florida, Utah, Nevada, Kentucky, Colorado and in just about every poll across the country is going to take us?

Last night, as the dust began to clear, I heard progressive glee that the anger was on the verge of burning itself out, that the victory of Christine O`Donnell in Delaware like that of Sharron Angle in Nevada, was throwing away the election. How could voters in the general election go so far as to elect one of these candidates the angry primary voters have kicked pup?

I supposed I had my eyes on something different. While others were seeing dead people, the defeated Mike Castle, who was supposed to be strong this November, I saw the strength of the flames that consumed him and will consume many others this rapidly approaching election night. I have waited all my adult life for an election in which voters have the fire to reach up and burn those who have been running the show for decades. But I didn`t know it would come from the right and center.

2010 could be the first year in modern times when being in office in Washington and part of Washington is the worst possible credential when facing voters. I don`t know how far the fire will burn. Based upon last night`s returns, I expect it has a long way to go. It could topple the House and, yes, the U.S. Senate. It could bring the defeat of people who feel even now they are not endangered. It could produce an election night spectacle of name brand politicians standing before stance supporters saying their careers are kaput.

Why is this happening? Because this economic system is failing to produce the security and opportunity people have come to expect in this country. In this middle-class country, the middle class are scared and when people are scared, they get angry. They sense a rot at the top and are ready to chop it off.

If the plan of those in power to raise a ton of cash and run nasty TV ads saying you can`t vote for this new person, that he or she is flawed -- I expect the voter will say, "Are you telling me I have no choice but to vote for you? Are you saying that I, this little voter out there, dare not take a chance on someone who has not yet let me down as you have? If that is what you`re telling me, that I have no choice, well, Mr. Big Stuff, you just have to wait -- stay up late election night and see what I have done."[/quote]

http://www.newsbusters.org/blogs/noel-sheppard/2010/09/15/chris-matthews-bets-liberal-guest-christine-odonnell-wins-november#ixzz0zqyWhg40>Cuckoo Chris Catches On

[Clarice]

I think we should help out AK by printing up cards for voters you want to write in her name so they know how to do it---

Lisa Loopner
L. Mikulski

[Ann]

Oops, sorry, JMH. I just checked CSPAN and they have not posted the link yet to Lisa Murkowski.

Funny, because they are probably trying to scrub one of her endorsers at the end that sounded a lot like a Howard Dean Scream. I kid you not. :)

[Jim Rhoads a/k/a vjnjagvet]

Lisa Loopner is perfect, Clarice. Murkowski is just like that quintessential whiney adolescent.

[narciso]

No one really wants to listen to a petulant child, Ann, and thats what she comes across as 'Veruca Salt, is what some have dubbed her, Back in the day, the state party
promoted her, over Sarah as the responsible one, let her Anchorage speech be broadcast although no one wanted it

[MayBee]

Clarice- yeah. I think Matthews sees it. People just want to stop the madness. On top of that, they are tired of being portrayed as crazy because they want the madness stopped. Nothing is more irksome than having your motives misrepresented. Obama sees this about himself, but is too un empathetic to see regular citizens can feel the same way.

[JM Hanes]

Strange new respect? As Don Surber would say: Good.

I love it when Dems persuade each -- for the gazillionth time -- that there's a fatal civil war going on in the Republican Party. This time the war may be real, but it's sure not looking fatal to me. I think that we all understand the stakes and the scale of the potential win here, and that two weeks down the road the roiling antipathies that look divisive now will be squarely fixed on the Democrats. Establishment Republicans, however reluctantly, will climb on board. Castle and Murkowski will be memories left in the dust of a movement that they were too stupid to take seriously. I've begun to see the primaries as training exercises; we've been gearing up while the Dems chattered amongst themselves, and we'll be hitting the ground at a run.

There is zero energy on the left. Look at the news coverage. It's all Republicans all the time, regardless of the source; even an Obama speech becomes a headline about John Boehner. It's the cat fights on the left which are sapping the Democratic party of life. The secret they don't understand is that disagreements on the right are always more dramatic because they engage existing passions and intensify them. And as the statisticians tell us day after day, passion is what 2010 is all about.

So dance on Dems, and prattle ye pundits! Pay no attention to that strange new coalition juggernaut slowly wheeling in your direction.

[JM Hanes]

MayBee:

"Obama sees this about himself, but is too un empathetic to see regular citizens can feel the same way."

I think that's really key to understanding Obama. He talks a big empathy game, but he's clueless about what it really means. He can see your pain clearly enough, but he's just not mentally equipped to feel it. I've known people like that: watching other people is not much different from watching actors in a movie.

A whole array of pundits have exhorted Obama to up the emotional content of his messaging, but that won't fix the emotional disconnect at the heart of the problem. People can read empathy on your face, even when you don't say a word or perceptibly move a muscle. GWB was not exactly a big emoter, but I can see his face in front of me right now. When I picture Obama, I get nothing.

[Ellie Light]

I love Bunkerbuster!

He's as lucid as the average Kos commenter.

As informed as Biden.

As experienced as Obama.

A has the foreign policy-military experience of Michelle.

And he looks better than Michelle in high heels and a dress!

[Elliott]

My condolences, Glenda.

[clerinsmadona]

When Petraeus was running the show in Iraq, Obama said it was a failure. He claimed several times that the surge failed and the war was lost.
Nox Edge

[Jack is Back!]

Happy Yom Kippur.

Exactly what the world needs now is a good piece of honey cake. I wonder what our dear leader does for atonement? Lets leave that for the question of the day.

My answer is he plays B-ball and eats cheeseburgers while kicking someone's ass.

[Extraneus]

Very sorry to read about your loss, Glenda.

[caro]

Glenda,you have had more than your share of sorrows. I am so sad for your loss and can't say it nearly as well as cc did last night.

[Janet]

Is Barney Frank in trouble?

Please God, let it be so.

[Leanspa]

I wouldn't expect anything less.
LeanSpa

[pagar]

"Is Barney Frank in trouble?

We need to make sure every Democrat is in trouble.

[centralcal]

Re: Evita Lisa, Michelle Malkin has a great photoshop of her "Don't Cry For Me, Anchorage" by contributor Slubog.

(Oh, and please know the heartfelt words to Glenda were mine except the last sentence, which is a quote from Scripture and not my own.)

[Rocco]

My thoughts are with you Glenda

[narciso]

Those Taiwanese animators have gotten things cmore right then unusual, although there is
always the lefty slant, on things, in the LUN

[Clarice]

Yes, jmh, exactly. As for the civil war sapping the right--With people like Crist and Castle and Murkowski where exactly were the troops on the right headed?

After the internal cleanup and reshuffling, the targets move even further to the left.

[Janet]

I liked Captain Hate's point on some of these threads that a good aspect of this Republican civil war is that we get to see exactly where certain candidates & pundits stand. The cards are on the table. The political power status quo or the will of the people?

[sbw]

Glenda, Thomas Jefferson wrote to John Adams about a death in the family that there is nothing to assuage the deep-drawn sighs but time and silence. Look for us at JOM to help the time pass and help the clouds to clear.

[narciso]

The post is fully validating Nixon's attitude
against it, look at this whitewash of the consequences of the Gray victory

[hit and run]

So sorry to hear of your loss,Glenda. You are such a lovely and precious person,my heart aches with you.

[Danube of Thought]

Minus 17 at Raz today.

[peter]

My sincerest condolences to you and your family, Glenda.

[hellen]

There're always going to be bigoted idiots, so let's stop with the senseless comparisons.
http://www.laptop-battery-adapter.co.uk/dell-rn873-battery.html Dell RN873 Battery

[Clarice]

Raz:

Following his Republican primary win Tuesday, John Stephen receives a bounce in support against Democratic Governor John Lynch in New Hampshire’s gubernatorial race. The latest Rasmussen Reports statewide telephone survey of Likely Voters shows Lynch picking up 48% support, while Stephen, the former state Health and Human Services commissioner, is right behind with 46% of the vote. One percent (1%) prefer a different candidate, and four percent (4%) are undecided. The latest results move this race from Solid Democratic to Toss-Up in the Rasmussen Reports Election 2010 Gubernatorial Scorecard. These findings mark the highest level of support yet for Stephen,...

[Melinda Romanoff]

glenda-

My deepest sympathies to you at this time.

[Neo]

Came across this at Drudge this morning …
O’Donnell hits the ‘ruling class’ in speech…
I wonder how Democrats will respond to class warfare ?

They have been doing it for years, but when the definition of "class" changes ...

[caro]

Calif. Rep Tom McClintock, on Hewitt yesterday said fully half,that's 120 dems are feeling threatened.

[centralcal]

Why I love to read Dr. Zero over at Hot Air:

Obama would be making a deadly mistake by calling out Sarah Palin for a political cage match. Let me put this bluntly: virtually no one in America gives a damn what Barack Obama says about anything at this point. What could be more predictable, and less interesting, than Obama’s opinion on any given subject?

The Palin Card

[peter]

Where are all the free speech advocates regarding the firing of Doug McKelvay for stating a fact, namely that BP had donated to the Obama campaign? Near radio silence out there.

[Janet]

Speaking of class, on this beautiful fall day we are going out to mingle with the "quirky class" at the Maryland Renaissance Festival.

Prepare Thyself For Merriment!

It is always fun. Our favorite acts are Hilby the Skinny German Juggling Boy and Johnny Fox Sword Swallower. The funny banter is 90% of the show rather than the juggling or sword swallowing.

[Janet]

Yeah Peter...did you see the "controversial" TV report that started it?

[Rocco]

I can't figure NH out. For a state with the motto "Live Free Or Die", you would think it would be more conservative than it is. Must be all those flatlander's from MA who've moved into the southern part of the state.

[Porchlight]

I liked Captain Hate's point on some of these threads that a good aspect of this Republican civil war is that we get to see exactly where certain candidates & pundits stand.

I agree with you and Cap'n, Janet. Lisa is providing a dandy negative example for ticked off voters.

Matthews is right about the flames not being anywhere close to dying down in this election.

[Cecil Turner]

When Petraeus was running the show in Iraq, Obama said it was a failure.

Yes, looking upthread I see we got the usual conflation with the go-to-war decision (blamed on Bush, even though the Constitutional authority and official authorization are solely Congressional). And it's worth pointing out that none of the current national leadership (unless you count Pelosi in that category) voted against it. But the real duty of the CinC is conduct of the war . . . and on that score, the contrast is stark.

As far as operational strategy, the main difference is the willingness of the Democrats to accept clearly unhelpful policies (e.g., pull-out dates) and resistance to decisive action (e.g., the "surge"). But the real difference is in propaganda. During GOP administration, the Dems and our fourth estate seemed to devote an inordinate amount of time to rhetoric that was both defeatist and openly supported our enemies. But once the Dems took control, things like Gitmo, rendition, military commissions and the like received cosmetic changes at best and magically became acceptable. And the same general whose earlier optimism marked him as traitorous became the go-to man for political cover for an unpopular operation.

[The lies aren't simple. They are complicated.]

It is clear in the discussion of the Founders that Declaration of War was Congress's responsibility, and the conduct of it, the Executive's, and the main reason for that was that it is a Hell of a lot easier to get into a war than to get out of it.

And so, Congress got us in the war and Bush and Petraeus got us out of it. It's that simple.
===========================

[matt]

my deepest condolences, Glenda.You and yours will be in all our thoughts today.

I wonder if, should the conservative trend continue this fall, we will see smoke pyres in Washington destroying secret documents like those old World War II movies in the scenes just before the Germans were overrun.Streams of bureaucrats trudging through the mud like Napoleon's defeated armies into Maryland carrying their word processors and file cabinets in endless columns.

Last ditch breastworks constructed of full body scanners and boxes of unused census forms manned by Homeland Security and Americorps fanatics.

Tattered "Yes We Can" posters 60' tall hanging from the National Endowment for the Arts.....

I have a dream, of an America unencumbered with bureaucracy. Of an America where men and women are judged by the content of their character and not by the content of their federally issued health care ration card.Of an America where word "entitlement" is eliminated from the vocabulary.

I have a dream of a sound dollar based upon economic common sense. Of an America where the word "service" is used more often in conjunction with the words "church" and "others" than the word "financial". etc., etc., etc......

[Clarice]

Excellent points, Cecil!

[sbw]

Peter, regarding the post you are assuming a causal connection between the BP donations to Obama and the reporter's firing when it could have been something entirely different, . . . like the reporter flipping the managing editor the bird.

[Rick Ballard]

Porchlight,

McCarthy points out the roadblocks to getting Holder on the carpet wrt the Black Panther case. The Jennifer Rubin piece McCarthy cites is very good.

We can expect widespread fraud in Chicago, Philly, Milwaukee, St. Louis, Detroit and Los Angeles (as well as 'normal' fraud in Boston etc). I'm hoping for a lot more video of obvious fraud and intimidation.

[RichatUF]

Glenda, my condolences and thoughts and prayers are with you.

[MayBee]

It is clear in the discussion of the Founders that Declaration of War was Congress's responsibility, and the conduct of it, the Executive's, and the main reason for that was that it is a Hell of a lot easier to get into a war than to get out of it.

And so, Congress got us in the war and Bush and Petraeus got us out of it. It's that simple.
===========================

Genius.

[RichatUF]

peter-

Not taking away anything from sbw's point, but Dems have to keep the eco movement asleep that they are tools of progressives and the oil companies. If that requires a few firings than so be it.

Rocco-

In re: NH. The Swing State Project. Authors have recently published a book detailing the progressive inroads into Colorado and how destructive and distorting progressive groups have been to local CO politics (and I'll drop a link when I can find one). It is of a piece with Soros' Secterary of State Project and other progressive supported pressure groups. They targeted a number of states for change and have had a number of successes-defeating Coleman for his rather tepid work on OFF being an example.

[Jane]

Glenda, I'm so sorry. Your strength is always an inspiration around here.

Let me give you guys a Tea Party update. Things are moving so fast I can barely keep up. While holding my Tea party poster at the polls on Tuesday, I met a guy who has since jumped in, created a web page, a facebook page, and pretty much taken over all the stuff I'm not smart enough to do.

I've heard from all the local area tea party heads - I met the head of the Worcester Tea party in Washington and he has jumped in with both feet. Today, because of him, I got an email from a guy who has a band and offered to play. Every time I open my email mail there is another Tea Party guy offering to help.

Volunteers are poring in. We will have an organization meeting on Thursday.

Caro is doing her magic for Tea Shirts and buttons.

Local politicians have indicated they want to attend.

I keep dreaming of things I need to do. Right now I'm looking for more speakers and wondering what the town will do to me when more than the promised < than 100 people show.

It's a great time in America. And someone needs to tell Chris Matthews that he is so late to the party he should resign from his job as a political analyst.

[RichatUF]

Rocco-

Here is the book: The Blueprint: How the Democrats Won Colorado (and Why Republicans Everywhere Should Care)link. It would probably be a good read with Fund's, "Stealing Elections".

[RichatUF]

Go Jane!

[Clarice]

Heck, just put ringers on the buses from Chicago to Milwaukee , racine and kenosha on election day.

[caro]

Fate is amazing. With all the huge crowds of people in DC last weekend,because of people wearing their local Tea Party t-shirts we saw two different ones from Jane's nearby area. Meeting up with them was so fortuitous. You can see how the movement has spread like wildfire.I am in awe of the whole thing. What a difference a year makes.

Jane is doing a fabulous job!

[Thomas Collins]

So, Jane, after we JOMers go to the Central Mass. Tea Party and then imbibe liquids at your place after the Tea Party party, are we going to Rovezzi's for some Italian food?
And is Oct. 9th still the scheduled date for this?

[Jane]

TC - yup October 9th - and I'm perfectly thrilled with the thought of Rovezzi's but there just might be more people here than can fit in the place. We shall see.

[Clarice]

Jane, certainly is. If you need a hand whistle and I'll send you some money for buttons and flags, etc.

[centralcal]

Jane, what fantastic news. You are a real community organizer! lol.

[caro]

I am not much for losing my anonymity but I can't resist this. I think I could be Janet's mom. Don't you?

[centralcal]

Caro, too cool. Nah, mayber her older sister?

[Rocco]

Thanks Rich...I'll never forget that 2000 election. To think that butterfly ballot was developed by democrat Theresa Lepore, published in the local newspapers, hung on the polling place walls with directions and arrows pointing to the candidates. Then the DNC hired a telemarketing company, TeleQuest to make calls asking Dem voters if they found the ballot confusing, before the polls even closed! Then of course, the Florida Supreme Court, instead of interpreting the law, changed it...still makes my blood boil!

[Captain Hate]

Don't sweat it caro; you both look great.

[matt]

how is your counterpart at the radio station taking this, Jane? It must be driving the libs batty....

[Rocco]

I still can't believe you were going to ride out that last hurricane on your sailboat! Now that's courage...

And I think all 3 of you are beautiful! (I'm assuming Jane took the picture!)

[Jane]

Matt,

He is turning into a Tea partier. (I expect to have the podcast of this week up this afternoon.) Of course he is a tea partier who sees no need to get off the couch - but hey, step one works.

Rocco, I'm planning on you coming on October 9th - I haven't seen you in ages!

And yes I took the pix.

[Porchlight]

Look at you ladies! You both look wonderful.

[Jane]

Clarice,

Thank you. You are always so sweet and generous. I am hoping to recoup my investment from selling gear - and if anything is left re-invest it in the next tea party event.

I truly believe the most important Tea party is the one after November so I guess we are just getting started.

If anyone wants to help join the Sturbridge Tea Party page.

There is also a facebook page.

[MayBee]

Love the picture of the beautiful Caro and Janet. You do look like sisters.

And Jane. Yay you, girlie.

[Rocco]

I'll be there Jane...I'm still laughing at "Pelosi spit on me"

[Ignatz]

--And so, Congress got us in the war and Bush and Petraeus got us out of it. It's that simple.--

Well, IIRC Bush approached Congress asking for a resolution authorizing the use of force at his discretion, correct? That they approved it certainly plces a great deal of the responsibility on their shoulders but it also allows them to duck it if they so choose. That's why I detest the modern aversion to the clear Constitutional divisions of labor; the congress likes the modern way precisely because they can avoid responsibility and the executive likes it because it gives them more power and discretion.
I like the good old days; Congress declares a war and the President goes and does what it takes to win it.
If we win they both get proper credit, if we lose they both take the blame and cannot avoid responsibility. Not totally of course but it's a damnn sight better than the mealy mouthed mish mash that we have now.

[Porchlight]

Fantastic work Jane. I know it's going to be tremendous. I still want to come, just don't know if I can afford the ticket. My friend is in the same boat. Maybe I can priceline it...

[hit and run]

BTW,Daddy,now watching Duke hosting Alabama.

I'm pretty sure Captain Hate will enjoy the result.

[glenda]

All my love from my mending heart... everyone here is brilliant, kind, innovative..my window to the great, big, free world out there!!
The kind words of cc helped me sleep--the poem of JMH was perfect. I chose "Safely Home" because Greg left me a note with it.

TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND LOVED ONES & FAMILY
THAT I LEAVE BEHIND..

Safely Home

I am home in Heaven, dear one
Oh, so happy and so bright!
There is perfect joy and beauty
In this everlasting light.

All the pain and grief is over,
Every restless tossing passed;
I am now at peace forever.
Safely home in Heaven at last.

Did you wonder why I so calmly
Trod the valley of the shade?
Oh, but Jesus' love illuminated
Every dark and fearful glade.

And He came Himself to meet me
In that way so hard to tread;
And with Jesus' arm to lean on,
Could I have one doubt or dread?

Then you must not grieve so sorely,
For I love you dearly still;
Try to look beyond earth's shadows,
Pray to trust our Father's Will.

There is work still waiting for you.
So you must not idly stand;
Do it now, while life remaineth-
You shall rest in Jesus' land.

When that work is all completed,
He will gently call you Home;
Oh, the rapture of that meeting;
Oh, the joy to see you come!

Love, Greg
******************************************

sorry about the length, but everyone here knows I am link-illiterate--I just wanted to share a little of my brother's memory, here, with friends for whom I am very grateful.

[Porchlight]

glenda,

That was very beautiful and kind of your brother to leave it for you. Thank you for sharing it with us. May the truth of it continue to guide and comfort you in the days and weeks ahead.

[Ignatz]

Belated condolences to you glenda, but none needed for your brother. He's now home where he belongs.

And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Luke 23:43

[glenda]

Amen..ignatz ++++

now--off to catch up on how miserable the Obama's must be in the shadow of their smiles..hee!

it seems many liberal lightbulbs are going off, although Barry's still clueless...but we all knew that in 2004 when he first "came out" with his dearest teleprompter at the Boston Dim convention.

The one worry I have, is the "old dog" republicans who are addicted to power and do not comprehend that their shoulder has been "tapped" and it is time to leave the dance floor. :)

[Jane]

Maybe I can priceline it...

Porch - think Southwest. Caro and I flew to DC for $38 bucks each way.