The Surge V Political Reality

The President faces a problem, an understatement to say the least, the Republicans in the House and Senate are worried they will be next to lose their Seats in the 2008 elections, thus the lack of support for the policy of surge, the Democrats on the other hand have a similar problem, those in the Senate that want to run for President, need the support of the base, the base is a Liberal Left body, and they want high taxes, out of Iraq and hug a tree for good measure. Thus the move by Hillary Clinton to the left, she does not want to be outflanked on the left by Edwards, Obama or Gore if should enter the race, this is a massive political mistake, in pure politics, its almost like throwing in the towel before the race has started. Its easy to move from the right to centre, Senator John McCain has supported the War, thus the base on the whole will support him, in the general election he can move to the Centre, while Hillary will try to move from the left to the centre, this will not work, what do her political operators think will happen when in their eyes the right wing secret lobby start to create an image, of a cold manipulative politician without the charm of her husband, will people buy the image that has worked in New York. I am susprised a great political operator like Bill Clinton has allowed her to be moved by the fear of Obama and Edwards, one has to ask in his hearts of hearts does he want her to win. Obama is new Edwards has been out of sight in Iowa, thus leading in some polls. Hillary Clinton is not new, people already have formed negative views of her, it might not be fair but that is the reality.

Thus we come to the 2008, it seems half of the Senate is running, Hillary Clinton is the front runner for the Democrats, but there as doubts if she can win, thus Obama, but can callow youth win over the political skills of Bill Clinton, here is the point it is not Bill running it is Hillary, it seems both Hillary and Bill will have to decided how much a role Bill plays in the election of 2008. As mentioned before, Hillary Clinton is not the most charismatic of speech givers, Bill is not bad but not that great on the whole, no Gipper but very few politicians are these days. It could be interesting to have a Edwards - Obama ticket in 2008, that might just scuttle a Hillary Clinton come back to the White House.

The Democratic Contest for President

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Courtesy of the Senator Barack Obama Presidential Exploratory Committee.

Senator Barack Obama is looking at running for President, the Senator has set up a Presidential Exploratory Committee. A New Rock Star, ala Bill Clinton or another John Edwards, who by the way is also running. And is leading both Obama and Senator Clinton in some Polls.

Senator Obama's Statement: Text

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The Trial of Tony Blair

The Trial of Tony Blair, More 4 at 10pm UK Time.

Odd title, as the film was about the events leading up to such a Trial, as for the film a Satire it was funny in parts, but in the end lacked the reality of good comedy, Tony Blair for all his faults would not get himself in that position, but if your on the left wing, you will have found it to the point but it is not Yes Minister or Yes Prime Minister, that show has more truth about politics than the Trial ever will or had when in Production.

Tony Blair for all his faults is a bit part character in the Iraq War. The Production new that they could not go after President George W. Bush, no reality in such a show and they could not sell in the United States, easy target poor Tony Blair.

The President's Speech on Iraq as seen by the Political and Media Elite has gone down like a fox on a farm would be a fair description...

The Speech and the Media

Just a quick review of the Speech by the Media Elite:

Washington Post, interesting and fair, a good read.

The New York Times, as you would expect, lot of hot air but no real answers that can be used to solve the problem.

The Times, UK paper of Record. The Paper states the following, ' Mr Bush’s domestic foes, notably Nancy Pelosi, the new Democratic Speaker of the House of Representatives (who has a minimal record in foreign policy) and the increasingly surreal Edward Kennedy, would simply abandon Iraq and be done with it. '


Views would read the Post and the London Times, or the surreal, and what a good term the New York Times if you want flawed thinking.

The Speech and the Verdict

Courtesy of the White House

11/1/07

Views has supported the War since the start, sometimes he thinks he, President George W. Bush and Tony Blair are the only ones left that support the War. Views is a hawk, a tough SOB in many respects, a neo - Conservative and proud of it, a Reagan/ Thatcher supporter to his last breath, so what is his verdict. This is it, one last try, this has to work for the sake of the West and Iraq, if this fails then we have to use an old British ploy, create three different ethnic countries out of Iraq and let them kill each other as long as they are not killing us. This is not an option Views wants, the creation of India and Pakistan and the deaths it caused still makes Views wish we had found another way. So here is the nuts and bolts of the Speech:

1. 20,000 more troops in to Iraq.
2. 16,000 troops in Baghdad.
3. 4,000 troops in to a Iraqi Province to deal with the Terrorists, their heartland.
4. More Iraqi troops supported by the above troops and the gloves come off.
5. The Iraqi government has to understand the UK and the USA will not stay forever. By November they will be in charge of all Iraqi areas.
6. Keep the Borders secure, stop Iran and Syria sending in aid to cause problems.
7. Economic Development, build while developing security.

One last push, one last chance, lets hope this works, Views is fast coming to end of his tether, we either win or we get out, it is that simple.

The Speech and the Media Elite

CNN reports that the President will state that the USA will not stay forever in Iraq.

Speech, Parts released by the White House, via CNN ( Adobe Reader Required ) One last throw of the dice, and the results could be with us for years.

Slate on the lack of action by the Democrats when it comes to Iraq. In essence since Vietnam they have gone so left they cant afford to be seen in the same company as Ted Kennedy, well not those those that want to run for President, and as of NOW that is half the Democratic Senate at the moment

The Washington Post on the Surge and the Costs at home and in Iraq. Very intersting, the article looks at what needs to be done in Iraq and the political backing needed at home. If you only read one link, read this link.

Speech, Aspects of the Speech on RCP

New York Times on the Speech. The Tone of the article " But the plan described by White House officials today, and by other administration officials in recent days, may fall short of what many experts inside and outside the government believe may be necessary. " If you read by Blog you now my views of NYT.

The White House
An interesting Review of Iraq by the National Security Council.