McCain Admits He’s ‘Digging For The Pony’ In Iraq

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/12/mccain-digging-pony/


McCain Admits He’s ‘Digging For The Pony’ In Iraq

Following his speech on Iraq yesterday, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) held a conference call with conservative bloggers.

One blogger, Ed Morrissey, asked about efforts by Shiite cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to oppose the new U.S. Baghdad security plan. According to two reports of the call, McCain repeated his prediction that Sadr wouldn’t end up opposing U.S. forces, but admitted he may be “digging for the pony.”

Ed Morrissey:

I asked the Senator whether Moqtada al-Sadr’s new orders for the Mahdi Army to attack American forces could cause a collapse of the Maliki government. McCain thinks Sadr is mostly bluffing; he waited too long and has not made a personal appearance for too long, and a defeat at the hands of the American and Iraqi forces would finish him. Joking that he was “digging for the pony here,” he predicted that Sadr would back down as he has in the past rather than take that big of a gamble.

Ankle Biting Pundits:

Ed also asks about al-Sadr fighting back against the surge. McCain said that he’s heard that before, but it never happened. Says it’s interesting that demonstrations that took place in Najaf yesterday were peaceful. While they wanted us out, it’s a good sign that they demonstrate peacefully.

As to Sadr, McCain says he’s in a bit of a “tenuous situation” because people are tired of executions and killings. Saying a good sign is a big reduction in the number of bodies on the streets of Bagdhad every day. Still not good.

Says he may be “digging for the pony”, but doesn’t think al-Sadr would make good on threats because if he loses, then he’s “finished”. Shouldn’t want “all or nothing” with US, and that Iraqi military is getting stronger.

McCain’s desperate attempts to find a pony in Iraq, or fabricate ponies when necessary, explain why people don’t trust what he says about the war.

As ThinkProgress documented, McCain wrote in an op-ed on Sunday that “al-Sadr is in hiding, his followers are not contesting American forces.” The very next day, Sadr released a statement urging Iraqis to consider the U.S. their “archenemy” and to “turn all their efforts on American forces.”

Sadr called a rally on Tuesday where “hundreds of thousands of Shia protesters…burned and trampled on US flags in the Iraqi holy city of Najaf.” On Saturday, Reuters reported, “Iraqi and U.S. forces clashed with Shi’ite militia loyal to the radical cleric Moqtada al-Sadr…in a dawn operation aimed at returning the volatile city of Diwaniya to government control.”

All aboard the Pony Express!

cause he keeps coming up with shit

Well, maybe TOAST.

to help me out with this expression "digging for the pony". I'm afraid through all of my years of life, i don't know that one.

:shrug:

and HAHAAHA to McPain for using it!!

Winning: parades, statues, new ambassador, trade talks, and oil
Losing: country run by a general, radicals in the minor political parties, terrorist training camps, agitation against the USA

(ok, my thesis needs some work)

are just sure it means there's a pony in there somewhere

...are hoping to find a pony.

He means hoping that something unlikely and wonderful will happen.

Dig a Pony (lyrics seem sort of appropriate)

I dig a pony
Well you can celebrate anything you want
Well you can celebrate anything you want
Ooh.
I do a road hog
Well you can penetrate any place you go
Yes you can penetrate any place you go
I told you, all i want is you.
Ev'rything has got to bejust like you want it to
Because--

I pick a moon dog
Well you can radiate ev'rything you are
Yes you can radiate ev'rything you are--
Ooh.
I roll a stoney
Well you can imitate ev'ryone you know
Yes you can imitate ev'ryone you know
I told you, all i want is you.
Ev'rything has got to bejust like you want it to
Because--

I feel the wind blow
Well you can indicate ev'rything you see
Yes you can indicate ev'rything you see--
Ooh.
I dug a pony
Well you can syndicate any boat you row
Yes you can syndicate any boat you row
I told you, all i want is you.
Ev'rything has got to bejust like you want it to
Because--

inquiring minds want to know.

to be in place to take over that country, if it even remains a country when this filthy gang of illegitimate US leaders is done. He's the only one who has managed a large organization. Yes, they're ruthless brutes and hated by the population, but populations in turmoil have a nasty habit of accepting anyone who shows up and promises law, order, and decent services.

Look at the reacceptance of the Taleban if you don't believe me.

As tragic as this is for the Iraqi people, no dictator lives forever, not even ones who brandish the Quran (or the cross). Rigid hierarchies are inherently unstable as underlings jockey for positions on the ladder and despots are appealing targets. The more they're despised, the more appealing they get.

As a lifelong history junkie, I realize the Iraqis have had magnificent civilizations while my own people were still painting themselves blue and throwing rocks at each other. I know eventually they will achieve another great civilization.

Right now, they have little left to lose. In the short term, there will be no good outcome. I fear Sadr may be the best they can expect for a short time as his organization will continue to grow until it simply kicks us out of their country.

McCain clearly loves the view from inside his rectum more than he does of the real world.