That's one heck of a Freudian slip, Senator Webb.
We're not... *waking up* at 3 AM and thinking about what we've done, are we?
By Moe Lane Posted in Foreign Affairs — Comments (35) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Samzidata (Via Glenn) sums it up: "Senator Webb announces imminent victory in Iraq - But that wasn't quite his intention. He was attempting to declare a failure but accidentally got his facts right."
Read on.
Here's Webb's original statement:
And with respect to al-Qaeda, quite frankly, al-Qaeda didn’t come to Iraq to try to destroy a democracy. That’s a very, very flimsy democracy there. We all recognize that. Al-Qaeda came to Iraq because the United States was in Iraq, and the people in al-Anbar are not aligning themselves with the United States. It’s “The enemy of the enemy is my friend.” This hasn’t been the Iraqi military, the national military that’s been taking out al-Qaeda. It’s been a redneck justice. It’s been these sectarian groups out there who don’t like al-Qaeda. And if we leave, they still will not like al-Qaeda.
Samzidata's response:
His statement is right on so many points, it's more than a little heartening.
First, democracy or no, Al-Qaeda is in Iraq to attack the United States. Where would the Senator rather rather have them attack us? Second, he is correct that this is a case of "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." But in terms of Al-Qaeda, that is called aligning themselves with the United States. We share a common enemy and are fighting it together. That is all "ally" means. What is he expecting? Conversions? Third, al-Anbar is a Sunni province. al-Qaeda is a Sunni organization. Sunnis have been their support base. And now a major part of that support base is turning against al-Qaeda. The biggest sign of success is when we no longer need to count on the military solutions but rather, the support base itself turns against the terrorists. Yet he is bemoaning the absence of a military component to this accomplishment. Senator Webb has done us the favor of highlighting some outstanding signs of imminent success although it was rather ambitious of him to spin them the way he did.
There's more, but fair use, so go read the whole thing. Anyway, the real question is: why the slip-up on Webb's part?
Well... not that I'm actually even remotely qualified to be a psychoanalyst or anything, but I'm holding out for a flareup of Webb's vestigal sense of shame. Either that, or the man has crunched the numbers and concluded that his incumbent advantage will be enough to make up for the loss of the progressives when he runs again in 2012. I've yet to decide which is the kinder interpretation; note that both are kinder than the third one, which is that Sen. Webb is simply not well-suited to be a standard-bearer for his own allies*.
Moe
*They aren't having a good summer, are they? What with Speaker Pelosi about to call Sheehan's bluff, the Democratic-controlled Congress still unwilling unable to end the war - and now Sen Feingold telling his peeps (as plainly as he dared) that there will be no impeachment, sorry (warning: dKos link). You'd think that the progressives would have gotten something for all their hard work and money...
I jest! I jest. The very idea is absurd, I know.
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That's one heck of a Freudian slip, Senator Webb. 35 Comments (0 topical, 35 editorial, 0 hidden) Post a comment »
Try better next time.
The Fuzzy Puppy of the VRWC. I've been usurped!
but these are more prosaic times.
Fortunately, analyzing the Freudian content of Clinton II will make Clinton I look like just a practice session.
His desire for victory is understandable....and as far as Freudian slips, the Dems have Harry Reid and Durbin showering us with low-hanging fruit---no law against taking bites from those apples! Oh yeah, and there's Burka-girl Nancy in the HOuse.
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Taunted by a Liberal in Parliament that he was going to die "on the gallows or of a vicious social disease," Disraeli replied "That depends on whether I embrace your principles or your mistress."
Webb is an egregious mistake spawned by the voters of Virginia and perpetuated by his own abstruse sense of purpose. His dominant trait is an adroit ability to follow blindly the propaganda spewed by a party which is so distant from reality as to be sub empyrean and guided by alien force, not of God.
When one follows truth and facts, the thoughts and articulations are easy to pursue and consistent. In contrast, we have Webb who is the liberals wind up toy and alleged “defense” expert; a “model” for the future. Yet he was basically given the bums rush from previous positions for the same type of vacillating psychosis continued today and is a remnant of past experiences written off as a mistake; something to learn from and never try again, like sticking your hand in fire. Yet they bring him back like the Phoenix; I say more like the walking dead.
Tell me, what kind of voter wants representation which has no sense of decorum or etiquette, spews fallacious ungrounded nonsense, holds no sense of loyalty or commitment and can’t intellectually follow a debate? How can anyone believe someone who just tried to make it impossible for our troops to deploy, receive reinforcements, re-supply or protect themselves in a process of forced Senatorial retreat is the “future” of their party? What kind of future is that? Certainly not one that I want latter generations exposed to.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
He based his opinions on supposed surveys of soldiers, and ridiculed Graham's trips to Iraq as staged dog and pony shows. What an insulr to the troops involved! And even if the survey results are accurate, I'd be willing to bet much or most of it is in the form of "untie our hands and let us kick some a**" rather than "get us out of here". Typical of the way a liberal works. What a jerk.
I am not a great fan of Graham lately, but that exchange is a classic example of Webb making up alleged "facts".
Somewhere, I am sure somebody agrees with Webb or supports his ridiculous meandering thoughts based on dreams or psychic channeling. But the fact is, he lied and presented fallacious reasoning as excuse. That inexcusable babbling was ignored and pointed out in few places. Why does he get a pass on that type of behavior? Want to bet he goes to Iraq now and comes back with "support" for his views?
A military friend of mine who served in Iraq (and by the way wants to go back, Jim) compared the situation to Germany and Korea. He specifically pointed out those countries were some of the most dangerous threats in their time, yet we still maintain military installations which were a overall a stabilizing force. Given the Middle East dangers, both past and present, he opined the current mission was his generations contribution to future safety; that's why he wants to continue serving.
Overall, Webb's right; no person need to put words in the mouths of soldiers. Just watch how they vote next election (hint, past will be prologue).
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
A proven historical success time after time!
It would be interesting to see a poll of military officers that gauges their opinion of Webb and certain other luminaries in Congress.
But I guess we won't.
Sigh.
An officer asked his troops, in a poll, what they thought of fighting lots of Nazi tanks in Bostagnia. They told him he was nuts. The next day, the Germans told him to surrender. He said. "Nuts!" Now you know, the rest of the story.
I'd rather see Gore get oxed than my ox get gored.
I just got done watching the "Bastogne" episode of "Band of Brothers". Wow. If you want some encouragement about the sacrifices our military makes for us, just watch that series. Awesome.
the surge that began at Normandy. Imagine, six MONTHS of campaigning and the Nazis were still fighting! Proof that we should have packed up and gone back to England.
FDR, contemplating the antics of his political descendants, is probably turning over in his grave.
The calls to cut and run would have started in North Africa, and we'd have been accused of Italian genocide long before Normandy. The pressure to retire Supreme Commander Eisenhower would have kept OVERLORD from ever happening.
We're just lucky that the Nazis had the nerve to try Barbarossa, thus unifying the radical left with patriotic Americans.
Run like Reagan!
The Dems of today would have declared Pearl Harbor a quagmire and would have wanted to re-deploy the fleet to Searchlight, NV as an earmark.
Envisioning when all that is Left is the Right.
But he can lead the debate to something easily understood by the public.
His one continuously repeated message last week was that our soldiers are being "deployed longer without home leave".
He may be smug and stupid but in the MTP encounter with Graham he seemed calm and certain(such can be the peace of smug stupidity) while Graham was overly emotional.
on issues such as the war (pro-troop)and illegal immigration(pro working class). This might be translated as simplistic or even stupid, but it's very effective. I've always felt a Democrat who was both anti-war and anti illegal immigation would be formdable in any election mix. It would not surprise me if Webb turned up as Hillary's VP. He's far more popular with the nutroots because of his antiwar stance than she is, yet at the same time he would bring Southern promilitary working class votes. That's a rare combination.
Two Senators not generally thought to be strong ticket, yet it worked in 1960. Johnson brought the whte Southern voters that JFK, a moderate-liberal northerner would not have won.
What I'm saying is, don't underestimate Webb. That's what George Allen did.
Likewise, he does a good job of using anger to make himself powerful. He's a perfect example of what makes a great politician and a terrible leader.
I'd rather see Gore get oxed than my ox get gored.
I am still trying to find soldiers that consider him "pro-troop". This is especially true after his latest antics which have been chronicled as endangering their safety.
In terms of the "Southern-pro miltary" demographic, if they are still fooled by Webb, I wonder how long it will last. I don't know any that believe surrender is an option. But that's just me.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
Apparently one who's only alternative is George "maccacca" Allen. Perhaps Allen didnt adequately communicate the that the "decorum or etiquette" that he was offering was more senatorial.
Cut the silliness. Your lifespan here is measured in substantive comments. Right now, you're just before the snare drums in the Mission: Impossible theme song.
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We are all heroes, you and Boo and I. Hamsters and rangers everywhere, rejoice!
Just suggesting that before call Webb's election a "mistake" we need to recognize that election do not happen in a vacuum. If the election were a referendum on Webb, I doubt he would have won, given the liabilities already articulated in this thread. Elections are choices between alternatives, and are sometimes (increasingly) between the lesser of two evils. The "mistake" was the Allen campaign. If Republicans are going to improve upon their performance in '06, a bit of self assesment is probably in order.
-But as you observed I'm new to the site, I'm trying to keep up! I've enjoyed it so far and hope to continue benefiting from everyone's insights for a long time. Thanks.
Certainly Webb's election may have been due to many issues. But frankly his margin of victory was a rounding error and slightly more than the capacity of U. Richmonds-Robins Center. Surely, the people of Virginia have seen enough to cut that margin; and let's not even talk about nationally.
"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"
Contributor to The Minority Report
was that the Washington Post deliberately used, misused, and abused an off-hand comment of no consequence (and containing no meaning) into a DAILY BANNER HEADLINE for the entire election season, placing George Allen under a daily machine-gun assault and making it impossible to discuss things like issues, stands, and character.
It is to the shame of Virginia residents that they were unable to use basic cognitive skills in choosing their Senator. Stupid is as Virgina does.
It's war -- so when can we start shooting back at the enemy Democrats?
But I think the Washington Post did Republicans a favor. Many thought he was presidential timber, and given the mixed reviews the current candidates are receiving he may have made some hay in the '08. By exposing Allen as an undisciplined and off message statewide candidate, the Post may have saved Republicans from the inevitable mistakes he would have made on the national stage.
I can't speak for the Dems, whose slate of 10 announced candidates is led by a witch, an empty suit, and an ambulance chaser [and please don't miss my point -- they have NO credentials and NO qualifications].
But thank you very much, the Republicans don't NEED the commie nitwits at WaPo to cull our candidates.
Just for the record, who says that Allen was undisciplined and off-message? Oh yeah, that would be (again) the Washington Post. His only disqualifier was that he was unable to effectively combat the fabricated and vindictive media blitz over a single non-issue.
It's war -- so when can we start shooting back at the enemy Democrats?
Your right of course. The responsibility for picking the Republican nominee is the responsibility of the Republican party alone. Candidates should not be foisted upon us nor culled by the MSM.
Having said that, it is my opinion that when a sitting US Senator of any stripe, lowers himself to personal banter with a college kid, that reflects a lack of discipline, independent of anything the WaPo had to say about it.
race, gender, sex and other sociological variables before reaching a conclusion on Webb v. Allen.
But I forget, opposition to GWB is the baptism that washes away all PC-sins. He is PURE.
Never mind.
So many Progressives, so little progress. Jim Webb reminds me of that obnoxious guy at the end of the bar who always tells you what he thinks about everything. Even when you've moved as far away from him as you can get and still legally drink within the confines of the establishment.
I'd rather see Gore get oxed than my ox get gored.
Wasn't Webb supposed to appeal to the sort of voter who thinks "redneck justice" is a perfectly good answer to the likes of Al Qaeda?
"No compromise with the main purpose, no peace till victory, no pact with unrepentant wrong." - Winston Churchill
from the author of Born Fighting, his history of the Scots-Irish in America. He should get back to his roots.
When one is reduced to culling "freudian slips" from the mouths of the opposition party, the state of our country and the hope af pertinent dialogue are dismal.