The Utter Uselessness of the Petraeus Report

from The American Prospect:


The Utter Uselessness of the Petraeus Report

If you think the White House-penned report on Iraq will be anything other than a validation of "the surge" and the Bush administration's larger strategy, you haven't been paying attention.

Paul Waldman | August 22, 2007 | web only


Just a few weeks from now, the most eagerly anticipated premier of the year will finally be here, complete with relentless hype by the producers, cameras furiously clicking when the starring players emerge in public, and fierce disagreement among the critics. It's the report coming in mid-September from ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker, and more importantly, General David Petraeus, commander of American forces there. If you're expecting a surprise ending, you shouldn't hold your breath.

But it isn't just the report itself that is utterly predictable. The script for what will come afterward is a sure thing, too.

Unfortunately for the President Bush, the public is approaching Petraeus's report with a healthy degree of skepticism. A CNN poll last week asked respondents this question: "As you may know, in September the top U.S. commander in Iraq will report to the President and Congress about how the war is going. Do you trust him to report what's really going on in Iraq without making the situation sound better than it actually is, or don't you feel that way?" A majority, 53 percent, said they don't trust Petraeus (who wasn't named) to report what's really going on. After four years of assurances about the "progress" being made in Iraq, the American people have just about had it.

When asked to respond to the poll, the White House telegraphed their strategy. Spokesman Tony Snow said he hoped "people do not try to engage in personal attacks on Gen. Petraeus or Ambassador Crocker." In other words, anyone who criticizes this report will be accused of personally attacking Petraeus.

Without many arguments left in the well, the White House will be hiding behind Petraeus, just as President Bush has been since the general took the job seven months ago. At first the administration didn't want Petraeus to publicly testify about his report, perhaps because they were concerned he might be a little too forthcoming about what is really happening in Iraq. But now they seem to have come to their senses, realizing that either Democrats will be cowed into deference by the blinding glare created by all those ribbons and the glittering aura of Petraeus' reputation, or they will question him harshly, at which point they can be accused of hating the troops and their saintly, infallible commander.

Don't interpret my sarcasm to mean that I think General Petraeus is cut from the same dishonest cloth as the rest of the Bush administration. But by this time he is, most certainly, part of the Bush administration. There has never been much dispute over the fact that throughout his career he has been a capable and accomplished, even brilliant, officer. But Petraeus was selected for his current job because of his willingness to support "the surge" (even today, saying it gives you that little shot of testosterone, the scent of victory wafting into your nose). And if he has any desire to keep that job, he will be sure to deliver the message the White House wants. .....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.prospect.org/cs/articles?article=the_utter_uselessness_of_the_petraeus_report

you guessed it 9/11, we have nothing to worry about. The truth will come out, the flags will be waved, the cheers will be loud. Shortly after... monkeys will fly out of my ass.

After this "report" there won't be any more reports, they will consider the case settled. It'll be permanent "surge" from there on out.