Senator Webb: "There's something of a Kabuki going on right now"

By: beachmom
Published On: 9/13/2007 9:06:28 PM

If I can now bring us back to our sitting Democratic senator, I found this fascinating post at Think Progress about the chatter of "armageddon" erupting between General Petraeus and his CENTCom Commander Admiral William Fallon.  Go to the link to read the colorful language Fallon used to describe Petraeus (it makes the Moveon.org ad sound like an afternoon tea party in comparison).  Senator Webb noticed that only General Petraeus testified this week before the Congress, and has now insisted that Admiral Fallon come to Capitol Hill as well.  I like the way Senator Webb minces no words here:

WEBB: [T]here's something of a kabuki going on right now. You know, the Petraeus report was brought in. On the one hand they're calling it independent; on the other, General Petraeus and Ambassador Crocker, from my understanding, gave a one-hour exclusive interview to Fox News after their first day of testimony.

So it was a very narrow and focused two days of hearings. We need to hear from people like Admiral Fallon and others to get a sense of how the region is in play.  He was, by many accounts, questioning keeping these troop levels this high.

So I'm going to be recommending to Senator Levin that we get Admiral Fallon in and get his views on the region.

[UPDATE by Rob:  Speaking of chicanery on Iraq, the WaPo does a great job of fact-checking the President's speech from last night.  I'm sure there were other falsehoods, but this is as start.]

Comments



Yowzer! (elevandoski - 9/13/2007 9:28:41 PM)
The post's title, "CentCom Chief Fallon: Petraeus Is 'An Ass-Kissing, Little Chickensh*t,' 'I Hate People Like That'", is certainly pretty colorful.


Nice (The Grey Havens - 9/13/2007 11:58:09 PM)
I wish I could think up titles that good.

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Go Webb!! (summercat - 9/13/2007 9:57:00 PM)


COMMENT HIDDEN (MohawkOV1D - 9/13/2007 10:38:27 PM)


Why are you still here? (DanG - 9/14/2007 1:00:31 AM)
Isn't there an American flag you should be off wiping your ass with?


COMMENT HIDDEN (MohawkOV1D - 9/14/2007 10:49:37 AM)


Majority in both Houses? (Catzmaw - 9/14/2007 7:47:22 AM)
But you well know that the Senate has a bare majority, and that's only if Tim Johnson is available and voting, which he hasn't been until this past week.  And the majority is NOT sufficient to overcome any Presidential veto.  Unfortunately, Republican cooperation is necessary for any challenge to this executive. 


Republicans seemed (MohawkOV1D - 9/14/2007 10:32:38 AM)
to do an excelent job of ruining Clinton with just a majority in the House.

Seems like dems haven't yet learned how to play hardball.  It's only been 13 years ya' know.



They didn't "ruin" Clinton (Lowell - 9/14/2007 10:43:39 AM)
To the contrary, Clinton thrived after 1994 and was reelected in 1996 by a wide margin.  Democrats can play hardball, but the reality is that getting something passed over an obstinate "decider" of a president takes 2/3 in both Houses, and Dems aren't even close.  Also, it takes 60 votes in the Senate to overcome a fillibuster and Dems don't have that either.  So, instead of complaining, get out there and work your butt off to elect Democrats at all levels of government, then we'll see what happens.


COMMENT HIDDEN (MohawkOV1D - 9/14/2007 10:52:39 AM)


then what (JScott - 9/14/2007 11:22:17 AM)
You keep fighting the fights that need fighting for God sakes. Who cares about the votes. What do they just sit on their hands until an election brings them a full majority, what if it takes until 2008. Nothing gets done and all the apologists get their talking points in. If they want to lead then lead from thr front or shut up and get out of the way. The only ones I see taking the lead are Webb, Mikulski, Carper, Casey ....gee I don't think any of them are running for President...shame.


Webb is on to something... (ub40fan - 9/13/2007 10:47:07 PM)
When you get a Senator like Webb pushing for other views to shape our strategic view of the region ... you're on to something big. EJ Dionne in the WashPo explained that the best allies the Democrats have in regards to the war .... are NOT Republicans ... but the generals (admirals) who must be realist regarding military priorities.

The IRAQ war is a huge strategic blunder and the military wants out (redeployment) ... as it would best protect our larger national interests on many levels.

Let's hope we get some honest leadership ... like we do from the Honorable Jim Webb.



A heads up for what it's worth (Dianne - 9/14/2007 8:47:39 AM)
James Walker (CBS reporter) on C-SPAN's Washington Journal just said that Fallon was in the White House while Patraues was giving his recommendations to the President before Patraeus' testimony this week.  Expect the Republicans to come back with this defense.....