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Rep. Shuler Doesn't Think Escalation is The Answer

Submitted by Gordon Smith on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:11pm

Photobucket - Video and Image Hostingvia Think Progress:

Shuler said he didn’t think escalation was “the solution” but would consider it if “that’s what our military leaders said.”

President Bush is busily stacking the deck with military leaders who will advocate for more troops. This Scrutiny Hooligan hopes that Heath Shuler will heed the advice of outgoing Iraq Commander General Casey, who said he'd ask for more troops if he needed them. He didn't ask.

How many more mistakes does the Bush administration have to make in order to lose the support of thoughtful people? I would argue that we crossed that threshold about 4 years ago.

Anyone who votes to authorize more funding for the McCain/Bush Iraq surge is an advocate of that strategy and will have to take responsibility for its success or failure. Just as those who authorized Bush to invade Iraq now have that millstone of poor decision-making around their necks, so too will those who pour more money into more troops in the biggest foreign policy mistake of my lifetime.

Follow your gut, Heath. It's right. Escalation is a prescription for more death and continued instability, for more terrorist recruitment and enemy-making on the Arab Street.

{cross posted from ScruHoo}

BlueNCers - Where do the other members of the NC delegation stand on the expected escalation in Iraq? Do we know?

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Comments

You have to see this story.

Submitted by Robert P. on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:30pm.

At booman to get the full take of what Shuler said.

Help me out, because I don't see where Patrick said that. Well, how about Heath Shuler?

Gibson: So when the president, in the next few days, as he is anticipated to do, calls for a surge and more troops going over there, how's the Democratic majority in the House of Representatives going to react?

Heath Shuler: I don't think that's the solution, with the exception, if that's what our military leaders say — that the increase in troops is an answer, then that would be more acceptable, but not just one person saying, even the president, not just one person saying that increasing our troop level is going to create that sense of security in Iraq.

Did Heath Schuler just say he was inclined to go along with a surge? I don't think so.

Nancy Boyda, however, did say precisely that. She said it clearer than Bill Kristol or Karl Rove ever could.

Shuler is not in favor of more troops because the commanders are not in favor of more troops. This is ABC Propaganda.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

I'm not sure where anyone else stands

Submitted by James on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:32pm.

But I like Heath's honest response. This is encouraging.

Unfortunately, the Child King has fired the generals who didn't want to surge and is replacing them with generals who will say and do whatever the dumbass wants. In other words, Heath is going to be caught in a scam.

The surge is a bad idea. Unfortunately, Congress can do anything about it because Bush is pulling it off without an "official" increase in troop strength. He's just breaking the back of the Army so he can get back at the mean old man who wanted to kill his daddy.

Does anyone have Heath's new email addy?

Submitted by momoaizo on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:36pm.

might be time to let him know how we feel and activate the LTE team again.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

read the complete statement in my above comment...

Submitted by Robert P. on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:46pm.

he is against the escalation.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

I understood he's against the escalation

Submitted by momoaizo on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:49pm.

but I also read that he would vote for if the military generals said they too were for and that Heath was being set up. That is what prompted my response to email him.

No matter that patriotism is too often the refuge of scoundrels. Dissent, rebellion, and all-around hell-raising remain the true duty of patriots.

CNN is reporting this "developing story"

Submitted by working for change on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:42pm.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi have sent a letter to President Bush saying "surging forces" in Iraq is a failed strategy and calling for phased redeployment instead.

I don't think Shrubya's gonna be able to pull this one out. Our new Dem leaders have just beat 'ol chimpy to the punch by making their statement to redeploy before W can make his statement to escalate.

Pretty freakin' clever, if you ask me.

Larry Kissell is MY Congressman

Unfortuntately

Submitted by James on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:48pm.

the Decider has already decided and he doesn't give a shit what Congress says. It's almost like the moron wants to be impeached.

hehehe...I thought the

Submitted by working for change on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 2:59pm.

Decider was still consulting on what to decide and will consult us when he reaches his decision.

Either way...good job to Reid/Pelosi for getting ahead of the press with their call for redeployment before Bush had a chance to layout his escalation plan.

Oh, and can't forget that new Chair-of-House-Subcommittee-on-Military-Appropriations Jack Murtha has already said there's no way he's giving the OK to fund more trips in Iraq. Maybe W can sell some baseball cards to pay for it.

Larry Kissell is MY Congressman

Limbaugh went after Schuler today also.

Submitted by stormbear on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 3:40pm.

But is was on women's issues.

--
Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!

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Town Called Dobson - Daily Political Cartoon: Not all is red in rural America!

Rush Limbaugh

Submitted by Betsy Muse on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 4:09pm.

the new face of feminism?

Isn't he the one who coined the term feminazi?

Robin Hayes lied. Nobody died, but thousands of folks lost their jobs.



***************************
Vote Democratic, the ass you save may be your own.

If Lt. Gen. Petraeus Says Surge, Will Heath Agree?

Submitted by Gordon Smith on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 4:13pm.

With General Casey on his way out, Petraeus on his way in, and Bush about to get all surgey, will Heath have the political will to notice that Bush is dumping the leaders against the escalation?

I'm not convinced that Shuler will oppose the escalation, especially if his new mentors, the BlueDogs, get behind it, using Lt. Gen. Petraeus' Bush-given opinion as cover.

Scrutiny Hooligans - http://www.scrutinyhooligans.us

Okay Screwy.

Submitted by Robert P. on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 4:40pm.

Open the LTE floodgates for us.

Jesus Swept ticked me off. Too short. I loved the characters and then POOF it was over.
-me

To email Shuler go here...

Submitted by Stan on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 5:00pm.

at CONGRESS.org and click on Send A Message.

Stan Bozarth

I'm no football aficionado

Submitted by Stan on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 4:53pm.

but someone who is might want to tell Heath that to vote for or in any way support a troop increase in Iraq will be the dumbest play he ever called.

Stan Bozarth

Hey Heath!

Submitted by James on Fri, 01/05/2007 - 5:19pm.

First off, congratulations on a great campaign. I'm glad to see you'll be focused on representing the state of North Carolina, and not partisan interests.

Second, please get your email situation cleaned up. It's almost impossible to reach you right now unless you have a district zip code. A lot of people outside your district worked their asses off to help you, and you ought to be open to hearing what any North Carolinian has to say.

Third, don't buy this "surge" crap. Even Ollie North is against it. He says more troops = more targets . . . and that's the long and short of it. "Surge" is a stupid idea and all the generals who are against it have been fired.

We're counting on you.