A New Poll Pelosi Won't Like

It isn't the lede that's most interesting, though that is positive, too.

WASHINGTON - President Bush faces widespread opposition to the troop buildup in Iraq, but he has gained support during the past month, an AP-Ipsos poll found.

The president has nudged support for the troop increase to 35 percent from 26 percent in early January. Sixty-three percent of those surveyed still oppose the increase.

While the 63% opposed isn't good, it also isn't the whole story.

Two-thirds of those questioned oppose cutting funding for the troops, and 60 percent are against cutting money intended just for the additional troops.

The Democrats do not have the critical support they require for their current plan. That means Bush still has some time in which to maneuver to increase support during the significant amount of time required for the Congress to debate. It's imperative that the Republicans in the Senate continue to buy more time. Then there is still the possibility of a veto and plenty of back and forth along the way.

News like this: "Iraq's Prime Minister has told the U-S President that the first few days of the new security plan in Baghdad have been a great success" and much more at the Mudville Gazette, is the best political weapon supporters of the war have, a war that is still very far from being lost.

We also need to keep up the pressure through efforts like The Victory Caucus. I submitted a photo-shop in their latest effort, you can see all of them here.

Comments

[scarshapedstar]

"The president has nudged support for the troop increase to 35 percent from 26 percent"

I'm sure she's shaking in her boots...

[Purple Avenger]

Petraeus is going to make the dems and some republicans eat their words.

In effect they've told him he's an incompetent moron for even thinking the job could be done at all. I imagine he and the troops resent that mightily. Where before they wanted to just win, now they want to win and do it in a way that sticks it right up the dems rear. I'm betting they can do it before the dems can shut them down and prevent it.

[Purple Avenger]

Anyone want to bet the dems are looking to frame up Petraeus with some phony scandal right now to get him removed? They can't afford to leave this guy in the position for much longer or he craters all their hopes for 08'

[Cindi]

There are men and women in combat who are counting on this increase.

Real question is How do we tell them they might not get it? How do we tell them that some in their own country do not support them?

That is not troop support.

[BobInStamford]

Here's how you explain to the troops that they arent going to get a troop increase:

"Sorry, but this entire war has been completely mismanaged from the start. It has cost hundreds of billions of $ and, even so, is unwinnable. No more resources will be thrown at his losing venture."

See, that wasn't so hard.

[Terry Gain]

"I'm sure she's shaking in her boots..."

She will be when it's apparent that the surge is working.

[Darth Malice]

The media has been spinning trying to dismiss the rise in the polls.Bush has to focus on winning conservatives and he will pull even.GW be ruthless.

[Terry Gain]

More bad news for Murtha and Pelosi.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=43623

[scarshapedstar]

"She will be when it's apparent that the surge is working."

Didn't Bush himself say that even if the plan works flawlessly, it will be indistinguishable from the current debacle? How will we know?

Are you calling Bush a liar? Or is that going to be your defense when nothing changes: "Hey, we never said that the surge would actually pacify things... just that it would 'work'!"

[Capitalist Infidel]

Bob, your vicious hatred for the troops is stunning!

[Darth Malice]

Infidel,don't me shocked by the liberals hatred....We are stuck between the evil party and the stupid party.Don't know how America survives.

[BobInStamford]

What is stunning is how stupid you sheep are. You go along with whatever that idiot tells you; Stay the course, mission accomplished, complete the mission and on and on. Now, you are free to support your leader as long as it doesnt cost any more money. See, no real difference.

[oversight]

"Two-thirds of those questioned oppose cutting funding for the troops, and 60 percent are against cutting money intended just for the additional troops" - that's funny - the only ones proposing cutting off the funds are the Republicans.

But Dan, why no story on this one?

Al Neuharth of USA Today" Bush IS the worst president in history
Neuharth writes in USA Today:

"Our great country has had 43 presidents. Many very good. A few pretty bad. On Presidents Day next Monday, it's appropriate to commemorate them all.

I remember every president since Herbert Hoover, when I was a grade school kid. He was one of the worst. I've personally met every president since Dwight Eisenhower. He was one of the best.

A year ago I criticized Hillary Clinton for saying "this (Bush) administration will go down in history as one of the worst."

"She's wrong," I wrote. Then I rated these five presidents, in this order, as the worst: Andrew Jackson, James Buchanan, Ulysses Grant, Hoover and Richard Nixon. "It's very unlikely Bush can crack that list," I added.

I was wrong. This is my mea culpa. Not only has Bush cracked that list, but he is planted firmly at the top."

http://blogs.usatoday.com/oped/2007/02/plain_talk_by_a_1.html#more

[Dan Riehl]

"why no story on this one?"

If life were about popularity contests, you'd never come out from under your rock, BA.

[BobInStamford]

Thanks for that link. I almost forgot about "Shock & Awe". I love it when GW talks tough. It's so convincing. Still, nothing tops "Bring em on" in my book.

[templar knight]

Infidel and Darth, Bob and the rest of the liberals hate Bush so badly they are willing to sacrifice as many of our troops as need be. And I have seen them call our troops rednecks, and useless for nothing but stopping bullets and losing wars, right here on this blog. I am so glad we have the internet and a record of what these people said, just so we will be able to show our troops what has been said by these people while they were off at war. I believe there will be a day of reckoning in the future for our liberal and leftist friends.

[templar knight]

Bill, as usual, you show your stupidity. Taking a poll(something you Democrats love, for some reason), at this stage of a President's career, might or might not be a reflection of how a President is perceived by history. Dwight Eisenhower was considered at the close of his presidency to be one of the worst ever, but history and new polls(something you obsess over) show the opposite. I took a poll right here at Dan's blog, and 60% of us believe you are an idiot. Must be right, after all, it was a poll!

[oversight]

Wow - those polls are good. I just took one, TK, and you are unanimously considered a dipshit and a moron. Got any more tips?

[templar knight]

Yep, birds of a feather flock together, huh, Bill.

[oversight]

Wow, you certainly do shoot from the lip, TK - ever try aiming from the brain?

[BobInStamford]

TK is a brave hero and an oil baron to boot. His kids even go to PRIVATE SCHOOL - so there. Surge on!!

[templar knight]

I see you brought your sock puppets to the party this morning, Bobby. And oil baron, kids going to private school, those hurt...hurt...I tell you..not. Try something that shows you to be over 12 years old, if, in fact, you are over 12 years old.

And when I aim, it's never from the brain, but from the eye. Always keep your eye on the front sight, dipshit, and you will hit what you're aiming at. I see you shoot from the mouth rather than the shoulder. Those shooting from the mouth, and I've seen a few over the years, get their teeth knocked out, and never bring any game home. So there is your lesson in shooting today, Billy boy.

[Bill Adkins]

"Those shooting from the mouth, and I've seen a few over the years, get their teeth knocked out, and never bring any game home."

Then you must be both toothless and hungry. As for shooting, I prefer Ruger - but my M-I Garand circa 1944 is a sweetheart.

[BobInStamford]

Yawn, tired hunting analogies. You sheep are so predictable and tedious. Incidently, even a 12 year old that you and your leader are morons. Shock and Awe!!

[BobInStamford]

Yawn, tired hunting analogies. You sheep are so predictable and tedious. Incidently, even a 12 year old that you and your leader are morons. Shock and Awe!!

[templar knight]

Hahaha! I give you a lesson in shooting, and what do I get? Insults and ingratitude, thats all, typical liberal traits I might add. And you prefer Ruger for shooting, huh? Well, that really defines your shooting skills and knowledge, as Ruger makes rifles, shotguns, and handguns. And an M-1 Garand, well, I like mine, too, and can thank the Republican Congress for making it available to me at a very nice price through the DCM, a program the Democrats have vowed to end.

[Bill Adkins]

You had to buy yours? Dad brought mine home from the war. A lot more, too - DCMP is getting a shipment of M-1 carbines soon if you want one. I may want another one to go with my Inland. As for what Ruger makes, my first gun was a 10-22; I have .45 and .357 Blackhawks, 2 P-89s, one of which is in my desk drawer because divorce clients and their spouses tend to be pissed off at one time or the other, a Mini-14 and another stainless 10-22.

[Phoenix]

Dan. What is with the rewind/loop cognitive dissonance on this blog?

You linked the funniest set of photoshopped pictures I've ever seen, and no reaction. Just the same, endless stupid commentary ignoring everything you say. Those who actually want to talk about what you've posted and who have linked your links get shut down by the most moronic drivel.... ?

Seems to me some of the liberal commenters are being nice enough and then BobinStamfor/Carl/Artie comes in with such asinine stuff that it's like, 'oh screw it'.

[Bill Adkins]

gun talk is 'moronic drivel?' What are you, Phoenix? One of those Sarah Brady types?

[templar knight]

A nice collection of Rugers, Bill. I have two Mini-14 Ranch Rifles, a M-77 in 30-06, a Security Six in .357 Mag, and a 10-22, which was the first rifle I ever owned. Now, I'll get off this subject as it bores Bob.

[BobInStamford]

Ignoring everything? EXACTLY!! That's what happens to 28%ers and their leader - they get ignored.

[LOL]

o wow illiterate avenger, you are so simple it's funny.

"n effect they've told him he's an incompetent moron for even thinking the job could be done at all. I imagine he and the troops resent that mightily. Where before they wanted to just win, now they want to win and do it in a way that sticks it right up the dems rear."

Right. I'm sure when you're over in Iraq being worried about IEDs and snipers, the first thing on your mind is "how can I stick it to the dems?" Plus, doesn't you analysis suggest that the troops haven't been working as hard as they could have? Some "troop supporter" you are. Those lazy troops! If only they had been motivated by wanting to show up the dembocrats we would have won this war already!!! sheesh...

What's funniest is that you're completely projecting yourself on to them. Why don't you serve? That would stick it to the dems.

[Dan Riehl]

"Dan. What is with the rewind/loop cognitive dissonance"

Don't know. Maybe typepad has my blog parked next to a little yellow school bus?

[templar knight]

Uh, LOL, I do a meet-and-greet for our returning troops once a month, and there is quite a lot of bitterness and anger at what they perceive as a lack of support from the Democrats, whether you believe it or not. Not from all the troops, mind you, but from a substancial majority.

[BobInStamford]

Ok, they are bitter and angry - so what?? 75% voted for Bush in 04. Hardly a democratic constituency.

[templar knight]

True, Bob, true. But you discount how this anger will spill over to the independents and moderate Democrats. This one thing is the greatest danger to the Democrats and their plans for the future. This is the wild card in the mix, and I look forward to seeing how it will play out in '08 and beyond. The Democrats might just seal their fate, one way or the other, with this issue. It's a lot of eggs in one basket, Bob.

[LOL]

where did i say they favored dems over republicans? I just think if a soldier is motivated by "i want to stick it to the dems" then that soldier has problems--but likely doesn't exist! It's not surprising that a conservative educated in a private school would have trouble making a "substancial" point

[templar knight]

Oh, and Bob, now the WaPo is warning its Democratic constituancy about supporting the troops. What's up with that? Looks like I know exactly what I'm talking about. Go read Dan's latest post, Bob.

[templar knight]

Uh, LOL, I wasn't educated in a private school, and have never claimed to be. I have a public school education.

[Phoenix]

gun talk is 'moronic drivel?' What are you, Phoenix? One of those Sarah Brady types?

Posted by: Bill Adkins

Nah.. just tired of seeing a jerk drawing beads on anything and everything regardless of purpose beyond insult. What the hell is wrong with you that you can't speak without putting someone down?

Try commenting without being rude and maybe you'll score more than blanks.

[Tom]

Infidel and Darth, Bob and the rest of the liberals hate Bush so badly they are willing to sacrifice as many of our troops as need be.
templar knight

Maybe I can help your confusion: Speaking only for me, nobody hates or dislikes Bush in a vaccuum. The vast majority of people do not have a visceral hatred 'of the man'. Only the mans actions and behavior. I know for you, it is easier to simply lie to yourself about this dynamic, but you are not correct. Mr Bush's action, decisions, judgements, lies, appointment, etc are the reasons we dislike his presidency - not the man. Please try and remember that very simple concept. Doing so will make you appear wiser, and that is what we all want, no?

[Bill Adkins]

The Bush sick-o-phants cannot distinguish, Tom. They cannot distinguish the criticism of Bush's Blunder in Iraq from being anti-American. It's like a kid, caught playing with matches and punished, who thinks you hate that kid rather than are concerned about his safety and yours. I hate that Bush has wasted 3000 lives and $1,000,000,000,000 in Iraq, that he has squandered America's standing throughout the globe, that he has presented US with a problem in Iraq that will take decades if not centuries to resolve .. need I go on?

[templar knight]

Look, Tom and Bill, I am not here to defend Bush in a vacumn. I firmly believe that this war in Iraq would have been over for us a long time ago had it not been for the support given the insurgents by liberals and leftists both here and around the world. The biggest mistake Bush made was not seeing this himself, and trying to win this war on the cheap from the very beginning.

Frankly, given the knowledge of the tensions existent in Iraq between the Shite and Sunni factions, and given the obvious desire of the Shites for revenge, I'm surprised things have not been worse, as bad as things are. Only a massive show of force, comparable to Gulf War I, would have pacified the population long enough for us to make a quick exit.

And there was a problem in Iraq before we intervened, Bill. Your last President, Bill Clinton, recognized that, or why would he have been attacking them over the course of his Presidency. And that problem was likely to last for decades, regardless of what Bush did, as our military has been engaged to a very large extent in that area for years, costing tens of billions of dollars per year prior to the Iraq war. And we were losing men in operations over there, also. But I concede the casualty points to you, Bill, as I don't think the whole of Iraq is worth the death of one American soldier.

And believe me when I say this, I want out of Iraq as quickly as possible. My wife's first cousin was killed there, his dad is now there, and our family has lost one of our own. So we know something about the war. Yet, we must not leave Iraq to the terrorists. I think you can see that, Bill, or at least I hope so.

[Tom]

The biggest mistake Bush made was not seeing this himself, and trying to win this war on the cheap from the very beginning.

Comment by templar

Finally, sir something you and I can agree upon. If we would have gone in with more than enough troops and more than enough "will", this war would probably be over. i'm no military guy, but 'strength in numbers' seems to be a good way to encourage victory. I am sorry for your loss. Your family has given the ultimate sacrifice to this country and I wish you the best.

[LOL]

youre insane

"I firmly believe that this war in Iraq would have been over for us a long time ago had it not been for the support given the insurgents by liberals and leftists both here and around the world."

yeah of course, blame anybody but the people actually prosecuting the war

[templar knight]

You know, LOL, you are a sick individual. I just gave the blame to Bush for underestimating the opposition, and did not blame the opposition for losing the war, and yet you still bloviate. Go fuck yourself, idiot!

[LOL]

um, no, you just blamed "leftists" and "liberals" for causing the US to win a war they would have won already. It's in your own post, but I guess you're too stupid to recognize this

[LOL]

*to not win a war...

that is

[templar knight]

Uh, no, I blamed Bush for not taking this opposition into account. He should have known better than to expect no opposition, and should have made his plans accordingly. Had this opposition not existed, then yes, the war would be over, but the opposition did exist, Bush should have seen that, and sent in overwhelming force rather than just enough to win the battle against the Iraqi Army. Bush's mistake.

I can't explain it to you any better than that.

[seekeronos]

One way of dealing with it would have been to nuke a minor Afghan city and threaten to reduce the entire nation to radioactive rubble if they did not hand over OBL.

Then, make certain that any other terror attacks on Americans or on American soil would be visited by the annihilation of Mecca and Medina, followed by the nuking of every other Islamic city in order of population size for each terrorist incident against Americans.

The terrorism would stop: either by way of self-restraint, or the eventual religicide of Islam.

And very few American lives relative to the loss of Islamist lives would have been lost in the process.