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September 10, 2007
Petraeus Speaks
Today came the long-awaited appearance by General David Petraeus, the lead U.S. commander in Iraq, to report on the progress of the American troop "surge", which began in February and added five brigades to U.S. forces in Iraq. Petraeus is a highly respected officer, but early indications are that his report will do little to influence lawmakers' opinions on the Iraq War.
Supporters of President Bush's Iraq strategy view Petraeus' declaration that the surge's objectives "are in large measure being met" as confirmation that the policy is on the right track, while detractors contend the general's report is nothing more than a rubber stamp of the administration's failed policy in the region. A U.S. Government Accountability Office report released several days ago painted a bleak picture on the ground there.
The American public, for its part, is dubious of the surge's success, and a solid majority believes the overall Iraq War is a failure. Herein lies the political rub for GOP elected officials headed into the 2008 election cycle.
Remember back in May, when 11 GOP House members, led by House Minority Leader John Boehner went to the White House for a "candid" discussion of the political realities surrounding continued support for the war? They told the president he had until September to demonstrate success on the ground in Iraq, or would risk losing Republican Congressional support.
Well, here we are -- it's September, Petraeus is delivering his report, but clearly defined success (at least in the public at-large's eyes) isn't there. Do GOP House members in tough districts start bailing on Iraq? And while the Republican presidential candidates largely remain fully committed to the Iraq War (as do most GOP primary voters), how does the eventual nominee pivot on this issue for a general electorate that is far less supportive of the policy, and wants to begin bringing U.S. forces home?
Not easy questions to answer, but of course, there are no easy or good answers to the whole situation in Iraq either. All the options are bad, and come with huge costs in both human and financial terms. And that, sadly, is not likely to change. It doesn't take an expert report to see that one.
Posted by houtopia at September 10, 2007 03:14 PM