The Escalation Didn't Work

The escalation failed to do the one and only thing it was supposed to do. The entire Iraq policy of George W. Bush has failed since the fall of Saddam Hussein's statue in Baghdad. No amount of parsing or spinning can change those simple facts: the escalation is and was the wrong answer.

I chaired a hearing on the GAO Report yesterday, the report that stated that Iraqi civilians overall aren't any safer, that the political benchmarks aren't being met in Iraq, that, in short, none of the rationales for the escalation in Iraq have come to pass. It unfolds with maddening, enraging regularity: the Administration claims goals for their policy, they gradually back off of those goals and substitute smaller, less easily measured goals, and then muddy the waters hopelessly on whether even those modest new goals have been met. Time and again we've been through this.

That's why the Congress set up some clear benchmarks to measure what's happening in Iraq. Mitch McConnell praised the "clarity" those benchmarks brought to the debate. "Just wait until September," they all said. "We put in these meaningful benchmarks, we can judge in September."

Well, how do they judge those benchmarks now? Only three of 18 have been met. Another four were "partially met," which sounds like a "Gentleman's C" if I've ever heard of one (and, for anyone who saw my college transcript, I have).

Judgment time is here, and the only verdict is the same one we had in January, the same one we've had for a long time in Iraq: the Bush policy is a tragic failure. It's a policy that not only isn't working; it can't work. A political solution in Iraq cannot come about without a clear deadline on where our troops will be pulling out. Only Iraqis can end this civil war, and they aren't - and won't be - making any progress with an open-ended, massive presence by our military in their country.

The White House has tried, with some success, to focus everyone's attention in the media on the report they are writing, the report they used to call the Petraeus Report. But, at least judging from press reports, unfortunately, this report already seems to be controversial and solely focused on military measures. (No surprise - now, thanks in large measure to some good old fashioned muckraking out here in the blogosphere, we know that even the so-called Petraeus Report will be written not by the General, not by our Ambassador in Baghdad, but by the White House-- the White House which has again and again avoided the kind of plain, unadorned facts discussed in the GAO report.)

Look, I know from experience that there's no such thing as a military solution to a situation like this, and no amount of "metrics" can create one. Our own generals have always confirmed this about Iraq. And by the way -- go read all of the statements at the time about the "reason" for the escalation - it was to buy political breathing room for Iraqis to compromise. Period. It hasn't happened. So it all boils down to the same thing: these are more "steps" that don't get you any closer to your real goals, "successes" that don't lead to any resolution.

This White House ran out of credibility on Iraq a long long time ago. This is not the first time we've been told one thing only to learn another (Weapons of mass destruction? Greeted as liberators? Saddam's oil revenue to pay for the war and reconstruction?), so, predictably, instead of an honest appraisal of the escalation, this White House is again moving the goalposts and shifting criteria-- and they are doing it as the moment of accountability arrives. Their response to bad news has been and continues to be: simply change the story. What they can't change is the fact that time is not on our side. It's wrong to sacrifice over 100 American lives each month for a policy we know is not working.

So here's where we stand: Republicans asked for clarity in this debate and swore up and down that, this time, they were serious. When September came around, they'd look at the facts and make a sober assessment on the merits of the policy in Iraq. Well, those facts are in. We need to keep up the pressure on them.

I'll be working continuously this month trying to set a deadline to force a new policy in Iraq. I'll try to stop by as often as I can this month with ways you can, if you choose, put the pressure on the Roadblock Republicans to force them to take a new tack. In the end, it's been sustained action by millions of activists that have gotten us this far, and it's only through the loud voices of those activists that we can get what's right - an end to the Bush doctrine in Iraq, and a policy worthy of our soldiers' sacrifice.

Comments

[researcher]

please answer one question why dont the demos defund this war? it is an illegal war why not stop the funding you demos have the votes to hold up funding for it but it will take courage over popularity in the polls.

the support the troops is just a ploy to continue the war. demos are taking a huge hit in the polls for doing nothing or worst pretending to do something.

it appears to many of us out here in the land of the forgotten that the demos want to use this war for success in 2008.

as an independent voter I voted for the demos in 2006 to end this war and what did I get excuses.

if george jr is doing nothing else for this country he is proving what many americans have suspected and that is the demos are more interested in protecting their jobs and success in 2008 than having the courage to stop this illegal war.

yes I voted for you in the last election hoping to remove a sociopath from office to no avail americans seem to prefer a sociopathic warmonger over you. sad days in america.

[brutus948]

Can you explain to me again why impeachement is off the table?

[FlowerGirl]

For the same reason that Coke Zero can't sue Coke.

[rwe]

or the real answer , Pelosi Reid Durbin Clinton Emanuel et al know there are no charges to bring.

[Tinanthejew]

this is the problem, we can't accomplish anything militarially but I feel we are obligated to the Iraqi people for totally destroying their country, they're worse off now than they were under saddam atleast then they had running water, electricity...its a true quagmire...

[FlowerGirl]

I agree with you. But what are you willing to bet thaat we actually pay the reparations due?

[ReasonIsMyReligion]

When El Busho made his speech in January 2007 proposing the surge, he warned that violence might increase. Duh.

But he said that was a necessary risk in pursuit of the long-term goal of providing the security environment (then prospective increased deaths aside) in which POLITICAL RECONCILIATION could take place.

That was the only goal El Busho said mattered, and was the goal that was the pretense and sole reason for undertaking the surge.

And on THAT goal, the surge has not failed in some comparative metric (i.e., trend in deaths per month, deaths in month X this year over last), it has failed in a simple binary notion: the Sunnis have walked out on the once-joint, now-Shiite, government.

We need not even rehash the paradox of El Busho in January 2007; the Iraqis need to earn our continued support through actions of their own, vs., our continued military presence is in our national self-interest to prevent another 9/11.

Sunni butts in government seats (cabinet or legislature) = 0. Surge = 0.

Note that the Surgin' General Petraeus UNDERCUT the nominal political-unity goal by cutting deals directly with the Sunni insurgents, er, excuze me, "militias." For which he didn't need any troop increase whatsoever, and for which PM al-Maliki asked earlier this summer that Petraeus be removed.

Last (and thanks for reading), Republican parrot John Boner (sic), accusing REALISTS of quibbling that an attempt to "kick an 80-yard field goal fell 20 or so short" is revolting. His man defined the goal, then 45 yards out, and now he's moving the goalposts... given the ball didn't even make it back to scrimmage.

[buddycor]

The Bush administration is complying 100% with the Congressional direction on this report. It requires Bush make the report and that he make the general and the ambassador available for questioning.

[OldKnute]

Whitehouse credibility?

Are you kidding?????

Look, bin Laden was jumping up and down with joy the day jumped into Iraq. He hated Saddam, a secular State, and the only way to deal with both Saddam and the United States was to get us into war with each other.

Saddam deposed, and secular violence guaranteed by selected acts of sabotage against BOTH Sunni and Shia and the pot would boil over.

For bin Laden to deal with Bush was easy, uneducated, ego strong, stubborn little spoiled bullies always are.

State your ultimate goal as the reestablishment of a Caliphate based in Baghdad.
Rant on the known sovereignty insults and intentions of America to establish foreign bases in the Middle East.
Delude a few young Saudi supporters to attacks the United States. The American Neo-con warlords will make sure the attacks are successful.

The rest is history.

All that bin laden need do now, is to sit in a cave and every week or two, sling out a rock with a dirty note attached to it, calling Bush a sissy.

The result?

Defense contractors are feeding massively. (All waving the flag in their averts on TV.)

The troops are demoralized, taking street after street over and over again. (Pork Chop Hill, revisited.)
America will divide herself, Bush snooping on everyone as it they are his enemy. (If you’re not with us, then you are against us.)
The massive drain on the economy will insure there is no money for disasters, infrastructure repair or social programs.
AND, by the time the war is over, millions of your former Iraqi enemies will be in mass graves.

Victory for bin Laden, alive or dead?

Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran, and Iraq in open revolt their militaries spent and soldiers exhausted and another leader NOT bin Laden, walks into Baghdad and declares the Caliphate open for business.

All with China, England Germany, France and Russia ALL holding America at bay.

It is not that George Bush is an idiot; it's that he is predictable.

All the best

Knute

[revolution]

President Bush has failed Americans on many levels, it wasn't just Iraq, it was his approach to attacking foreign policy issues that were contentious to say the least. We're so deep into the filth that comes with the Iraq territory, that the discussion is far from where it should be: accountability and proper constitutional authority for waging wars and spending hundreds of billions of dollars to fund them.

From the beginning of Bush's tenure, it was "you are either with us or against us." It was nice, patriotic, the essence of the American spirit until that philosophy was used to threaten American citizens, too! We were painted as unpatriotic and unworthy of wearing our red, white and blue stripes if we failed to agree with the President on his political assessments.

In my opinion, the issue should not be whether Iraq was properly handled, we all know that it was not. The issue that we should be talking about is WHY we allowed our President, the media, and rhetoric to steer us into war. Why have we not held the liars, deceivers, and hateful members of Congress accountable for their actions throughout the post-911 era. We let them exploit God and country, and if not for all of their scandals and self-inflicted misery, I am saddened that Democrats haven't the tools needed to battle the political maneuvering.

In the end, Iraq's failure has only become the issue because politicians were not strong enough to prevent the war in the first place. Sure, political failures happen, but the fact that Congress has allowed this war to continue without serious resistance is disappointing.

Ron Paul managed to do what Democrats have been unable or unwilling to do. Democrats should take a page out of his play book. Listen to his words, he is well versed in foreign policy arguments against phony wars! It is my hope, if not a fading dream, that Democrats in Congress will learn to stand up against the bullies that have overrun our government with propaganda and rhetoric throughout these painful Bush years.

[lgillooly]

Impeach now and end this madness!

[CitizenLegislatorCC]

Senator Kerry -

I watched most of your GAO hearing yesterday.

PLEASE SPEAK WITH IRAQI CITIZENS about the future of their country (and with Juan Cole). The information that I have found on-line completely contradicts the alleged post-occupation slaughter that is the lastest excuse for not leaving. A majority of the Iraqi PARLIAMENT is interested in a UNITED, strong national government, even if most of the Cabinet members are not. They give interviews in Jordan indicating that if they DO vote to tell the U.S. to leave, or work toward a united central government NOT UNDER THE THUMB of the U.S., that THEY (and their families) ARE TARGETED by the occupiers for not being compliant. Have you heard this from your sources?

Senators seem to overlook that EXILED Iraqis (like Chalabi) were installed in the government by the U.S. - and that many of them are corrupt, and that IRAQIS KNOW IT. How and why should we force the people of Iraq to accept THAT government? Do Senators understand that the U.S. is "the boss" in Iraq today (as pointed out in the Post today by an American soldier), and WILL BE until we withdraw? And that all actions in Iraq (must) take that fact into consideration? And finally, do Senators understand that REGARDLESS of what fate awaits them, 4 out of 5 IRAQIS nevertheless WANT US TO LEAVE? Isn't that extremely compelling to Senators (sincerely) worried about their fate, post-occupation?

Can't you call Iraqis as witnesses, with interpreters? That would help answer Senator Hagel's important "What For" question and many of Senator Lugar's questions, as IRAQIS see it.

In short, I beg you to dig deeper, find NON-American sources of information from those on the ground in Iraq, and to always remember that our powerful, highly-mechanized presence in Iraq is not neutral, and in many (if not most) cases is NOT trusted or welcomed by the Iraqi people themselves, who Republicans claim we are there to "protect."

Http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,2129493,00.html

[DasBoot]

Congress needs to force a deadline on the administration. Mr. Kerry, please take the lead in organizing this effort. This is no time for being afraid.

[Plowboy]

We all know about the lies used to launch war on Iraq.
Now those same lies are being used to jump start a war on Iran.
Are we Americans such fools, or are we so completely unconcerned with humanity, justice, morality and such old fashioned values? Has Neoconned America ceased to think? Are we blind?
Please, Senator Kerry, do whatever you can and advise us on what we might be able to do to stop Bush.
Is our system so completely flawed that even when most Americans see the criminality of a regime, there is nothing to be done about it?
I don't know as much as many here. I'm just an old country boy who loved what I thought America was. Was I wrong? Is America the evil place that can produce great Terrorists -- like the author(s) of "Shock and Awe" and its planned sequel in Iran -- but is helpless to control them?
I resent it that these criminals act in my name. I take it personal. But other than complain to Representatives and Senators who do not really represent me, what can I do?
Please share your wisdsom and insight with us.
Thank you.

[rgblue]

Awesome post, plowboy.

You state the the raging frustration that so many of us out here feel, in plain and simple fashion.

It's breaking my heart to see my beautiful strong country (imperfect as it was) wither and rot and die in this horrific way; not even honorably.
Nothing I do personally seems to make any difference, it's like the american people can't be reached or bothered anymore.

Senator Kerry, PLEASE read plowboy's post, ponder it and try to give us an answer. In fact if you could make ALL your colleagues read it maybe they'd get their heads out of the Administration's butt and REALLY do something.

[spaceknife]

Instead of focusing on Roadblock republicans, you should rein in or throw out the likes of Lieberman ,Baird and even Rodham-Clinton who have infiltrated your party.
They seem to be doing a very good job to maintain the Bush agenda.

[Plowboy]

Good thinking! The Democrats need to be more Democratic and stop trying to cozy up to the Neorepublicans.

[newpantaloons]

John, I completely agree, the surge is NOT working and it is time for this Administration to start to tell the truth to the American people. But, there seems to be a new game in town, and that is the new talking points about taking out Iran. Dick Cheney is giving orders to the AEI and other mouthpieces for this Administration to start talking up war with Iran. You Democrats in Congress need to step up to the plate and put a stop to this madness! I, and many others like me, are sick and tired of the Democrats just sitting on their hands and talking big, but never really doing anything, hoping to just have the whole enchilada handed to you in the next election. A good case in point is the new FISA legislation that passed before your vacation. I realize that you have blue dog Democrats and a very thin majority in the Senate, but that bill should have never come to the floor of the Senate or the House. Now, we are talking again in the complient news media (?) about a NEW pre-emptive, illegal war against a sovereign nation. DO SOMETHING!!

What happened to reversing the AUMF? And, if the Republicans in the Senate will not go along with voting their conscience, then use the Nuclear Option. This is way too important to allow the Republicans to obstruct it. We do NOT need another war! Not militarily, not financially, not economically, NOT AT ALL, period!

[Rethymniotis]

Dear Senator Kerry:

You're right that "judgement time is here", but not just for Bush. The biggest risk posed by our continued occupation of Iraq is the increased likelihood of war with Iran. As a constituent I have written to you directly to say this: if Dick and Dubya drag us into war with Iran, I will hold _you_ responsible. I am a congenital Democrat, but if Democrats with a majority in both Houses can't prevent a second disastrous war for the greater glory of Cheney and the neocons, I'm through with the lot of you.

Now, about Iraq: don't keep telling us "George Bush must listen". We ordinary yokels know perfectly well that the President of a nominally democratic nation ought to listen. We also know something you guys on the Hill don't seem to get: Dubya is a petulant frat boy who will _never_ listen. We ordinary yokels know perfectly well that cutting off his money is the only way to "support the troops". To keep soldiers in the middle of a five-sided civil war is not to "support" them. That's not a difficult concept. We yokels get it.

And don't tell us you "don't have the votes". Bush can't veto a "supplemental" you never send him, and all you need in the Senate is 40 votes (not 60, not 67) to _not_ send him a supplemental. No more blank checks: unless Dick and Dubya are prepared to fund the continued occupation of Iraq out of their own pockets, you _do_ have the power to bring our soldiers home.

We do owe many things to the poor ordinary yokels in Iraq, to whom "we" have brought much misery, but the _first_ thing we owe them is to bring Dick and Dubya to heel.

-- TP

[Macready]

thank you for this information Rethymniotis about the supplemental . . . it's back to you Senator Kerry . . . if the Dems are serious then start issuing supplementals and get Pelosi to put impeachment on the agenda . . .cheney first . . . we demand more action than we have seen so far . . .
and leave Iran alone . . .

[Changeizgood]

The media won't report the blogs because we are competition and actual voice.

Dear Senator Kerry;
Please tell the Congress and Senate that the reason the polls are so low for them is that the people have spoken on the Impeachment of these criminals.
Do your job you are sworn to do. IMPEACH NOW!
STAY THAT COURSE!!

[galeww]

I am interested to know your thoughts on what our new policy in Iraq should be? It is appropriate to critize Bush but critique is not enough. What should we do now?

[Changeizgood]

Continu trainingthe IraqiPolice and arme forceshre with deployed US troop rotations and send th trained Iraqi forces back in their place with a small contingent of the deployed forces. This will increase the trainin and alsogive the Iraq soldiers an ida o what a democratic country is while here training. It also allow them to see how our media is reporting with the freedom of speech.
After the deployed troops are fresh, ive them the option of going to Afghanstan togo after the true perpetrator of 911 attacks, Bin Laden.
Strt helping te people select community senators and leaders to represnt the people's voice, and vote to shut down the 80% oil revenue takeover, in the constitutio drawn up b the oi companies. Get rid of it. It is unfair and the Iraqi's have a great deal of building and other urgent matters to heal their country.
This will be a draw down and it will be gradual.