From the diaries -- Larry

The White House Iraq Group (WHIGers) are back at it again, imo, ...selling smoke.  In Phase I, the Bush Administration cherry-picked intelligence and conspired a case for "War in Iraq;"  but in Phase II, they're engaged in cherry-picking "progress reports" and conspiring a case for "Victory in Iraq."

Did you notice that most every senior Bush official were all over the airwaves these past few days?  President Bush, DoD Secretary Rumsfeld and Joint Chief of Staff General Pace (very quiet), VP Cheney,  Secretary of State Condi Rice, Rep. Duncan Hunter and even JoD Secretary Gonzales (indicting a terrorist).  They're clearly engage in a media blitz to sell something, but it's a tactic that reminds me of the last German offensive during the Battle of the Bulge - they're desperate to save face and are running out of fuel, imo.   Unfortuantely, they can still achieve "victory", even if we share the same goal:

Goal: Bring down US Troops levels and eventually withdraw from Iraq.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

So, how do we define victory in Iraq? Imo, it depends on how each side presents the truth.

To Democrats: Victory means "Change the Course " and get this done right!

The Democratic strategy is actually supported by many "experts", regardless whether they're Dermocrat, Independent or Republican.  They all agree that we must get this done right, or face serious long term consequences that run counter to our national security.

Wes Clark said that we must get this done right in a 3 prong strategy; political, diplomatic and military.  He proposed his plan in WaPo article and here at CCN, and I assume that he believes can still be achieved.  Unfortunately, Bush and the GOP has failed on the political and diplomatic front.   In contrast, last week Rep John Murtha called for the strategic withdrawal of US Troops and redeploy, based on the assessments of senior leadership in the military and Pentagon. He also believes that the Republicans will withdraw troops in time for the November elections.  Today, Larry Wilkerson appeared CNN with Anderson Cooper -360 news show.  But he believes that our troops are not withdrawing because of our success in Iraq, but because we'll be "forced out of Iraq by next year"  Regardless, they all agreed that we must "change the course."

They believe that we can still achieve victory in this manner, if we deal with realities on the ground and engage regionally with Iraq and her neigbors.

 To Republicans: Victory means  "Stay the Course " and retreat before November '06.

This is the basis of their current media blitz to be continued throughout the next year.  It explains the GOP-stunt led by Duncan Hunter, who voted against his own resolution for "immediate withdrawal."   But in truth,  there is an ulterior motive underlying their campaign to deal with the failures in Iraq,.. they actually want/expect a full retreat, imo, but they're trying to sell it as a victory!

How?  Sell a case for "progress."   Iraq has voted for a constitution!  Iraqis will vote for their new government!  Iraqi troops are taking more of the security burden and Iraqis will determine their own destiny,....in other words,... lets GTFO, ASAP!  We all know it's bogus claims!  The GOP is selling and misleading Americans once again with a policy of deciet.  They're again more interested in their partisan agenda, rather than the security of the United States.

Rather than honor the men and women in our military who served, died and sacrificed for us in the Iraq war, the GOP intends battle the truth with rhetoric! "Stay the course" is riding a merry-go-round, just continue to spin Americans until they're dizzy!  Then withdraw and claim vcitory.