Former Secretary of State James Baker (right) meets with Presidents George W. Bush and Jimmy Carter.
The panel of advisors tasked with investigating solutions to the quagmire in Iraq is set to recommend a major shift in policy. The group, headed by former Secretary of State James Baker, is likely to advocate troop withdrawals, and might even suggest inviting Iran and Syria to assist in Iraq’s security.
BBC:
Mr Baker’s commission, which is due to report in the next few months, is set to recommend significant change, and will advise against “staying the course”.
The bipartisan task force, which was asked by the US Congress to examine the effectiveness of American policy in Iraq, has reportedly been looking at two options, both of which would amount to a reversal of the Bush administration’s stance.
One is the phased withdrawal of US troops, the other is to invite Syria and Iran to come into Iraq to help stop the fighting.
By purucker1, October 17, 2006 at 7:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
so far everytime papa or his friends tried to interfere Dubya did just the opposite of the suggestions. Why should it be different this time? What does he have to loose? Reelection??? All he wants is a good size new war so he can suspend elections in 2008 indefinitly and the Rove maschine is in full gear building up to it.
Troop withdrawl at this time is not a subject for the midterm elections anymore… too late.
By Don Knutsen, October 17, 2006 at 3:26 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
So Bush’s daddy bailed him out yet again by bringing in the Bush family concierge to finally come up with A PLAN. While it is welcome to finally input the advice of someone outside the Cheney / Rumsfeld cabal….does this mean we, the american people should not still hold this administration accountable for what they have been responcible for these past 6 years ? If we allow these people to just retire to their mansions, after what they have done ....then we will have learned nothing.
By mark shertoff, October 17, 2006 at 1:33 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Is Baker trying to soften the Bush image prior to the election? Don’t expect much from this panel. Yes, Baker is former Sec. of State but he is also current agent for Suadi Arabia.
By OCPatriot, October 17, 2006 at 12:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Iraq is already lost. Probably so is Afghanistan. Ever wonder why Baker has just turned up , touting his Committee’s new report about how we need a new direction in Iraq? Dont you realize that a sea change has been occurring? First James Baker, then a couple of Senators like Warner and Hagel, then the leak that old Father Bush hands are in dismay over the direction of the war in Iraq. Theyre pumping up a campaign to change course and do exactly what Murtha has been calling for, only none of them is being called a traitor or a member of the cut and run group, as Murtha and others were. But thats exactly what theyre proposing.
Just watch as Bush himself starts to back-pedal, saying maybe if something isn’t working, we ought to change it. With that, “cut and run” suddenly goes down the drain. No “traitors” here anymore, even Bush when he says he’ll consider what Baker and his committee want to propose. I call them all “traitors” because I grieve for the good men and women already killed, and the others who still will be killed, while this sea change occurs. To really stop the killing, vote a Democratic majority in; they may turn venial and greedy, as the Republicans, but they’ll be on good behavior for a while.
By Paul Kelly, October 17, 2006 at 12:01 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
“How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake? But we are trying to do that, and we are doing it with thousands of rationalizations…” John Kerry, April 1971
By CB, October 17, 2006 at 10:52 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’m sure the civilian victims of the ongoing chaos would be comforted to know that the solution that might have saved them is being stalled until after our precious elections.
We can’t have annoying things like “truth” and “reality” influencing voters.
By purucker1, October 17, 2006 at 7:15 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
so far everytime papa or his friends tried to interfere Dubya did just the opposite of the suggestions. Why should it be different this time? What does he have to loose? Reelection??? All he wants is a good size new war so he can suspend elections in 2008 indefinitly and the Rove maschine is in full gear building up to it.
Report thisTroop withdrawl at this time is not a subject for the midterm elections anymore… too late.
By Don Knutsen, October 17, 2006 at 3:26 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
So Bush’s daddy bailed him out yet again by bringing in the Bush family concierge to finally come up with A PLAN. While it is welcome to finally input the advice of someone outside the Cheney / Rumsfeld cabal….does this mean we, the american people should not still hold this administration accountable for what they have been responcible for these past 6 years ? If we allow these people to just retire to their mansions, after what they have done ....then we will have learned nothing.
Report thisBy mark shertoff, October 17, 2006 at 1:33 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Is Baker trying to soften the Bush image prior to the election? Don’t expect much from this panel. Yes, Baker is former Sec. of State but he is also current agent for Suadi Arabia.
Report thisBy OCPatriot, October 17, 2006 at 12:31 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
Iraq is already lost. Probably so is Afghanistan. Ever wonder why Baker has just turned up , touting his Committee’s new report about how we need a new direction in Iraq? Dont you realize that a sea change has been occurring? First James Baker, then a couple of Senators like Warner and Hagel, then the leak that old Father Bush hands are in dismay over the direction of the war in Iraq. Theyre pumping up a campaign to change course and do exactly what Murtha has been calling for, only none of them is being called a traitor or a member of the cut and run group, as Murtha and others were. But thats exactly what theyre proposing.
Report thisJust watch as Bush himself starts to back-pedal, saying maybe if something isn’t working, we ought to change it. With that, “cut and run” suddenly goes down the drain. No “traitors” here anymore, even Bush when he says he’ll consider what Baker and his committee want to propose. I call them all “traitors” because I grieve for the good men and women already killed, and the others who still will be killed, while this sea change occurs. To really stop the killing, vote a Democratic majority in; they may turn venial and greedy, as the Republicans, but they’ll be on good behavior for a while.
By Paul Kelly, October 17, 2006 at 12:01 pm #
(Unregistered commenter)
“How do you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How do ask a man to be the last man to die for a mistake? But we are trying to do that, and we are doing it with thousands of rationalizations…” John Kerry, April 1971
Report thisBy CB, October 17, 2006 at 10:52 am #
(Unregistered commenter)
I’m sure the civilian victims of the ongoing chaos would be comforted to know that the solution that might have saved them is being stalled until after our precious elections.
We can’t have annoying things like “truth” and “reality” influencing voters.
Report this