NIE Ignored By Congress
Ahhh, the National Intelligence Estimate. We are probably the only country in the world who publishes one for the whole world to tear apart. Everyone remembers that last one that came out last summer.
After all, it was hailed by the defeatists in Congress.
Barack Obama said: “This National Intelligence Estimate underscores the fundamental truth that we cannot continue to substitute the bravery of our troops for a true commitment from the Iraqi government to resolve the grievances at the heart of their civil war, and a true commitment from the Administration to aggressive diplomacy.”
Harry Reid said: “Our troops are mired in an Iraqi civil war and the president’s escalation strategy has failed to produce the political results he promised to our troops and the American people. Every day that we continue to stick to the president’s flawed strategy is a day that America is not as secure as it could be.”
John Edwards (remember him?) said: “As today’s new National Intelligence Estimate reveals, the violence in Iraq remains high, attempts to reconcile the political factions have failed, and the political leaders remain ‘unable to govern effectively.’”
Nancy Peloser said: ” The National Intelligence Estimate document[s] the widespread failure of the Iraqi government to meet critical political reform benchmarks set by President Bush himself in January. The stay-the-course strategy by General Petraeus and the President to leave all troops in Iraq has been rejected by the American people. We need a new direction in Iraq that will protect our troops, promote stability in the region, and make America more secure.”
I bring these important quotes from important people up for a reason. The next NIE has been released and all I’m hearing about it is….crickets. Why do you think that is? Well, I’ll tell you why: it’s a positive report that says good things about the progress and improvements that we have made in making Iraq a great country.
This is bad news for Democrats who are trying to become the next President. If they counter the report and call it politically motivated, then they risk looking like they are “cherrypicking intelligence” that they want to believe. That would make them no better than the man they absolutely loathe to death – George W. Bush, whom they accused of the very same thing to get into Iraq. If they hail it – as they should – for what it is, it makes the Republicans look better and hurts their chances for success in November. That’s right: the Democrats are invested in defeat and bad news. The worse Bush looks, the better the alternative (them) looks. Unfortunately, the NIE shows that there has been “significant progress” in Iraq. Not just progress. Not anecdotal progress. SIGNIFICANT progress.
Since the August report, Sunni tribes have solidified their resistance to al-Qaeda-associated insurgents in Anbar and Diyala provinces, which has weakened the movement.
Even the media has been quiet on the issue. I forecast some negative comments coming from the hill very shortly. In the meantime, I need to pack my bags for DC!!
DougS
April 7th, 2008 at 6:04 pmOf course, we can’t read it for ourselves, since “in a departure from the January and August 2007 intelligence estimates, the intelligence agencies have declined to release an unclassified summary of its key points.” However, we do know that “the report does not take into account the recent battle in Basra” (from the article you linked to).
Exactly what is the significant progress you’re talking about? Civilian deaths are back up, and at a minimum they were never below the 2005 levels. I guess a few car bombs a day are all part of the “progress and improvements that we have made in making Iraq a great country”.
And what’s with the cockroach? Isn’t that what the Hutu called the Tsutsis before they chopped them up?