Rice likely to back Iraq pullout

[nolabels]

Can you say try for a distraction :shrug:

Rice likely to back Iraq pullout

March 28, 2005

BY ROBERT NOVAK SUN-TIMES COLUMNIST

Determination high in the Bush administration to begin irreversible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq this year is reinforced by the presence at the State Department of the most dominant secretary since Henry Kissinger three decades ago. Condoleezza Rice is expected to support administration officials who want to leave even if what is left behind does not constitute perfection.

Amid the presidential campaign's furious debate over Iraq, I reported last Sept. 20 ("Quick exit from Iraq is likely") about strong feeling in the policymaking apparatus to get out of Iraq in 2005 even if democracy and peace had not been achieved there. My column evoked widespread expressions of disbelief, but changes over the last six months have only strengthened the view of my Bush administration sources that the escape from Iraq should begin once a permanent government is in place in Baghdad.
(snip)
http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/cst-edt-novak281.html

[msmcghee]

1. I've always thought a pullout . .

. . was something that happens before getting completely fucked.

[katinmn]

2. he's a regular Nostradamus with all the predictions

or....could it be maybe he's being fed this stuff?
:)

[democracyindanger]

3. Yeah, too bad the US is building permanent bases in Iraq

Novak is an ass. And a traitor.

[Cocoa]

4. the most bizarre thing about Novak's latest bullshit

is that Ralph Nader is buying it.

http://www.counterpunch.org/nader03292005.html

On March 28, columnist Robert Novak, who has a long history of credible reporting and strong contacts in the Bush administration, reported in The Chicago Sun-Times that there is "determination in the Bush administration to begin irreversible withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq this year." Novak gives credit primarily to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice who he says "is expected to support administration officials who want to leave even if what is left behind does not constitute perfection."

Novak reports that the national consensus and the preponderance of Republican opinion support withdrawal saying: "President Bush,s supporters believe it is time to go and leave the task of subduing the insurgents to Iraqis." Indeed, polls show a majority of Americans disapprove of Bush,s handling of the war and according to a recent Harris poll 59% want most of U.S. troops home within a year even if Iraq does not have a stable government.

What is driving the administration, in addition to public opinion, is the weight of more than 1,500 U.S. soldiers who have died and tens of thousands injured or sick in the Iraq War. According to Novak, the administration has concluded: "That is too heavy a price to continue paying for not letting Iraqis try to make the best of their country now that we have eliminated Saddam Hussein."

The article refers to Paul Wolfowitz who Novak describes as "a pragmatist who views an intrusive U.S. occupation in Iraq as a political benefit for the insurgency."

More...

[nolabels]

5. Even kind of sounds like shades of Nam

How many effing years was it from the promise to the pull out of that place till they really pulled out?

Ralph is just a different kind of liar, but a liar none the less. I am surprised counter punch put his crap out. Is it really that hard to get good reporters? :hide:

[Itsthetruth]

7. They Should Present Kerry's Position On Iraq

"Ralph is just a different kind of liar, but a liar none the less. I am surprised counter punch put his crap out."

Perhaps they should post some of John Kerry's we "can't cut and run" views. Would that please you?

[nolabels]

9. There are advantages and disadvantages to everything

Kerry supporting the War (buckling for to try and gain political advantage) was just another mistake. The "Can't Cut and Run" was more calculation about what the other side might do rather than standing on principle. There are now very few congress people or politicians that stand on principles anymore. They are mostly all sell outs to the highest bidder. Also bravado you wish to try to entice me with is also quite telling.

The Iraq invasion /occupation was just one on a long list military operations for regime change run the folks in DC. The only purpose for the politicians in DC nowadays is to try secure others peoples belongings, goods, land and money for private corporate greed. I might ad that with just few exceptions it has been that way in DC for quite a long time. Yea drink up on that Patriotism, the Kool-Aid can come in many flavors.

Looting at Weapons Plants Was Systematic, Iraqi Says
by JAMES GLANZ and WILLIAM J. BROAD , New York Times
March 13, 2005
BAGHDAD, Iraq, March 12 - In the weeks after Baghdad fell in April 2003, looters systematically dismantled and removed tons of machinery from Saddam Hussein's most important weapons installations, including some with high-precision equipment capable of making parts for nuclear arms, a senior Iraqi official said this week in the government's first extensive comments on the looting.
(snip)
http://www.occupationwatch.org/article.php?list=type&type=21

[Itsthetruth]

6. Nader Added ......

It seems many of President Bush's top advisors and some Congressional Republicans are telling him the U.S. needs to get out of Iraq. If Novak is right, perhaps Bush and Cheney are finally listening. Perhaps.

However, a withdrawal can take many forms. The plan for withdrawal we put forward at DemocracyRising.US calls for a dual withdrawal of the U.S. military as well as U.S. corporate occupation.

The military withdrawal needs to include stopping construction on the 14 "enduring" military bases that are being built to provide the United States with a large military presence in the region. Withdrawal needs to mean that the U.S. military will leave the country.

And, a corporate withdrawal is also needed. The U.S. has tried to remake the Iraq economy so that U.S. corporate interests could take it over. Paul Bremer put in place rules that allowed for massive foreign ownership and domination of Iraqi businesses, low corporate tax rates, immunity protection from lawsuits and now allowing workers to form trade unions. The U.S. needs to give Iraq its economy back and let them determine their own future.

[isit2008yet]

8. pull out before "perfection"???

since when has that been a Bushco virtue? They tend to FUBAR most everything they lay a hand on. Besides they have Iran and Syria to beat up on next. Gotta pull the troops out rest 'em up so you can send 'em back in! Remember we go to war with the army we have not the one we want!

[mopaul]

11. ha! even if'n it don't constitute perfection, sons o' bitches

sorry if w can't achieve perfection before he pulls out condi.

[salin]

10. Tie this item

to Ritter's article... where he asserts that an Iran bombing plan is due in late June... and to Condi's discussion points that stability after setting the "democracy train" (my words) in action eg having a plan to move forward - is the current admin course of action...

Suddenly perhaps a pattern emerges?