Did Petraeus Part Ways With The Neocons?

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Those who expected General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker to beat the drums of war during this week's Senate hearings must be disappointed.

The Real News Network takes a closer look at the issue of Iran in a new episode of The Real Story.

Petraeus tempered his talk about Iran. He stated that Iran has "fueled the violence" in Basra but stopped short of blaming Iran as the principle instigator of recent fighting. Petraeus also presented the other side of the geopolitical equation, corroborating reports that Iran brokered the cease-fire in Basra and acknowledging that a successful Democracy in Iraq would serve Iran's interests. Perhaps Petraeus's rumored political ambitions tempered his answers as they did Senator McCain's. Mentioning Iran only as a final thought, McCain said, "I hope we could talk a little more about the Iranian threat."

The absence of anti-Iranian rhetoric certainly bothered Senator Lieberman, who spent his six minutes reminding the room of the supposed threat. "Are Iranians still training and equipping Iraqi extremists who are going back into Iraq and killing American Soldiers," he questioned in a tone assured of the answer. As co-Chair of the Committee on the Present Danger, which advocates immediate regime change in Iran, Lieberman has been carrying the "bomb bomb Iran" rhetoric forward while McCain repositions himself for the general elections.

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Comments

[politicker129]

Thanks again, Real News for pointing to the true politics behind the curtain of deception. It's gone from mildly amusing to enraging watching McCain twist his basic ideology to appease the electorate.

WHY ISN'T THERE MORE COVERAGE LIKE THIS?

[Cathexis]

You'll be relieved to know that Petraeus seems to have shed his new-found integrity in between the time of his Senate and House talks. From what I hear, the second talk was much more in-line with teh Bush Admin's spin.

Evidently he chugged the Kool Aid to get a bit of a refresher before the second set of hearings.

[pkmlk]

"THE REAL NEWS NETWORK" IS JUST THE "BEST" SOURCE!!! TO LISTEN TO ALL OF THESE "SEASONED" REPORTERS IS SO EXCITING & IS BELIEVABLE(FOR A CHANGE)....
I HAVE A SUBSCRIPTION TO "THE REAL NEWS NETWORK"...

[TexasDem0]

General Petraeus threw away his integrity and credibility when he became a BushCo stooge. Those who look to him for leadership will only find someone seduced by the glitter of the stars on his collar. Those serving under him suffered the worst betrayal of all. He gave their lives and safety a lower priority than providing political cover for an openly criminal administration.

[hopeless277]

Agreed.

[ProudLiberalDan]

Agreed. What I cannot understand is why so many people of intelligence, character and honor choose George "Whopper" Bush of all people to throw away their credibility and integrity on. It just baffles me.

I think there is such denial about the fact that we were LIED to in order to get this war and the liars got away with it. No one wants to deal with that and they powers that be just go through the motions.

One would think that considering how George "Whopper" Bush has left a trial of destruction at home and abroad and has destroyed so many people's careers and respectability that they would be running for the hills every time they get his phone call.

But even if Petraeus decides to get his credibility back, there will be some other non-5 star general who would take up the neocon drumbeat.

And, since our "fearless" Democratic majority has taken impeachment off the table there will be no change in this for the next nine agonizingly long months.