Baird on his Fellow Democrats: “We ought to just say [the surge] worked.”
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on August 27th, 2008
In a Seattle Times column today entitled “Iraq Buildup Succeeds, Brian Baird Still an Outcast,” Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) speaks about his support for the surge last year:
“‘We ought to just say that it worked. People were understandably skeptical of the administration at the time. But we have to acknowledge reality. Do you stay with a political position because it’s popular even if it doesn’t square with the facts?’”
“Baird’s view is that if ‘the people in our party advocating for an immediate withdrawal of troops last year had gotten their way, it would have been disastrous for the U.S.’”
On the response from his Democrat colleagues, Baird said:
“‘After all that extraordinary outrage directed at me, not one person has called me up and said ‘Hey, Brian, it looks like you might have had a point after all,’ said Baird, in Denver for his party’s national convention this week.”
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Links for May 6, 2008: Democrats’ Broken Promises
Posted by Nick on May 6th, 2008
Democrats Plan Breaking Deficit Discipline Promise Again (AP)
Democrats are finding more excuses to ignore the promise they made when they took over Congress that they wouldn’t pass laws increasing the budget deficit…They’ve already swelled the deficit by $200 billion since December
War funding would break Dem promises (Politico)
In her campaign pamphlet in 2006, which is still posted on the speaker’s website, Pelosi declared that “bills should be developed following full hearings and open subcommittee and committee markups, with appropriate referrals to other committees.”
Democratic leadership aides don’t dispute the fact that the majority has been unable to keep this promise of open committee debate…
Members outraged over flexibility of pay-go rules (The Hill)
“We’re completely overacting,” said Rep. Jim Cooper, a Blue Dog from Tennessee and a senior Democrat on the Budget Committee. “Everything’s an emergency. And an emergency’s a perfect lobbying excuse to get your bill passed that you couldn’t get through in regular order.
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Podcast Update
Posted by Nick on April 9th, 2008
Audio from the April 9th Republican Leadership Stakeout can now be found on the House Republican Leader Podcast. If iTunes is installed on your computer, you can click here to subscribe.
MORE: Past episodes and more information on Podcasts
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On General Petraeus’ Testimony and Continued Progress in Iraq
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on April 7th, 2008
Today in a Townhall.com Op-ed, Leader Boehner previews the upcoming testimony by General David Petraeus:
As a result of these indisputable steps forward, more than 20,000 of our troops are coming home. But more importantly, they are returning home after success – not defeat. That is, after all, where the difference lies between those who have stood behind the Petraeus plan and those who have sought to undermine it every step of the way. And this divide is sure to be on full display this week, when the General and Ambassador testify before the Armed Services and Foreign Affairs committees in both the Senate and the House.
Also today in a Wall Street Journal Op-ed, Senators Joe Lieberman (I- CT) and Lindsay Graham (R-SC) further outline the dramatic achievements of General Petraeus and the troops he commands:
When Gen. David Petraeus testifies before Congress tomorrow, he will step into an American political landscape dramatically different from the one he faced when he last spoke on Capitol Hill seven months ago.
This time Gen. Petraeus returns to Washington having led one of the most remarkably successful military operations in American history. His antiwar critics, meanwhile, face a crisis of credibility – having confidently predicted the failure of the surge, and been proven decidedly wrong…
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Stand Firm on Iraq
Posted by Nick on April 3rd, 2008
A Washington Times editorial today echoed House Republicans in stating that undeniable progress is being made by our troops in Iraq:
The Republican Party has been united on the war issue. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and House Minority Leader John Boehner have done a solid job of driving home the point that, with violence down and parliament making political progress that would have been unthinkable a year ago on issues like sharing oil revenues and amnesty for lower-level Ba’athists, it would be a grave mistake to abandon Iraq now.
MORE:
Boehner Delivers Remarks to American Legion (4/1/008)
Boehner: “Honor Our Troops By Honoring What They Fight For and Giving Them Every Tool They Need to Succed in Their Mission” (4/1/08)
Boehner Statement on the Fifth Anniversary of the Iraq War (3/19/08)
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On the Fifth Anniversary of Operation Iraqi Freedom
Posted by Nick on March 19th, 2008
From the House Armed Services Committee Republicans:
Rep. John McHugh (R-NY), Military Personnel Subcommittee Ranking Republican:
“It is clear today that we have moved toward a better situation in Iraq, and that is principally because of the work of our men and women in uniform. Their dedication, commitment and sacrifice over the past five years have been a model to the nation, and we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our service personnel and their families. I am looking forward to General Petraeus’ testimony before the House in early April. I am hopeful we can continue to safely and responsibly bring our troops home without negatively impacting the security of the region.”
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Links for March 19, 2008
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on March 19th, 2008
Iraq Five Years On: The Coalition Is Winning the War Against Al-Qaeda (The Heritage Foundation)
…Ultimately, Iraq is a microcosm of a larger war the United States and Great Britain are waging against Islamist terrorism and extremism. The battles on the streets of Iraq have a direct relevance to the national security of the U.S. and its allies, and to walk away from this front line of the war against Islamist terrorism would significantly increase the terrorist threat to the West itself.
This is a long-term conflict that must be fought to ensure the security of the free world. America’s recent success in Iraq demonstrates that this is a war that can and must be won.
Iraqi law paves way for provincial vote (AP)
…Iraq’s presidential council approved a law Wednesday that paves the way for provincial elections, giving a major boost to U.S.-backed efforts to promote national reconciliation on the fifth anniversary of the war.
The move came two days after Vice President Dick Cheney visited Baghdad to press Iraqi leaders to overcome their differences and take advantage of a lull in violence to make political progress.
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Links for February 7, 2008
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on February 7th, 2008
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Links for January 31, 2008
Posted by GOP Leader Press Office on January 31st, 2008
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