Iraq: A box canyon

"Here he is, the only commander in chief we have: George W. Bush."

What a ringing introduction from Tim Russert, who also likened the war to a box canyon in an old Western movie. (I'm watching the coverage on MSNBC.) Use this as an open thread on Bush's speech. I'll have some thoughts, news, and links afterward.

Update 7:43 p.m. Well, first of all, there will be a demonstration in Boise tomorrow against Bush's escalation plan from 5 to 6 p.m. at the intersection of Front Street and Capitol Boulevard in Boise. The Idaho Peace Coalition says the peaceful sidewalk protest is one of hundreds of actions being held across the country on Thursday in response to Bush's call for sending more troops to Iraq. Click here to find more rally locations; they include Coeur d'Alene, Moscow, Missoula, Richland (WA), Salt Lake City, and close to 500 more.

Update 7:52 p.m.  What will Congress do? According to Dan Popkey's column in the Idaho Statesman this morning, most of Idaho's all-GOP delegation has serious reservations about Bush's plan. Larry Craig and Mike Simpson appear ready to back Bush for one last shot, but not before asking hard questions. Popkey wrote: "I want to see us on the offensive," Simpson said Tuesday afternoon, after a hour-long meeting at the White House. "And if we're unsuccessful, I think it's time to come home."

And then there's the junior congressman from Idaho.

Freshman Rep. Bill Sali, R-Idaho, met with Bush Friday. In a written statement Tuesday, he said he anticipates supporting the president's request and said Congress should ensure our forces have the resources they need, including new troops.

Until now, Sali's view reflected that of Idaho's all-GOP delegation, in strong support of the war. But Sali's senior colleagues have grown weary. Craig and Simpson say they'll continue to give every measure of support to troops on the ground, but are obligated to question the policy after almost four years of war.

As Popkey pointed out, Craig and Simpson are Republicans, but they have become skeptical. (Sen. Mike Crapo, who's been ailing, sent Popkey a statement saying he eagerly awaits Bush's speech and seeks "an enhanced commitment on the part of the Iraqi leadership and Iraqi people to bringing order and economic security to their own country.")

Sali, by contrast, seems as ready as ever to follow Bush no matter what the president proposes. I wonder: Do a majority of 1st District voters still agree with Sali that Bush is right, no questions asked?

That's all I have for now. What did you think of the speech? What should Congress do in response?

Comments

[Tara Rowe]

A person so convinced of something so false scares me.

[Julie Fanselow]

No doubt.

I've been over at Kos, where there's a huge thread of play by play - and plenty of snark - for anyone who missed it.

Democratic response coming up from Dick Durbin ...

[Julie Fanselow]

Click my name for the Kos thread.

[Julie Fanselow]

Here's what I don't get: We're gonna add 21,500 troops to Iraq and challenge Iran, too?

Where are these people going to come from?

[Tara Rowe]

We don't have that type of recruitment in the armed services.

What I want to know is where they'll find congressmen to join Sen. Leiberman?

[Julie Fanselow]

Durbin: Escalation is not what Americans voted for last November. It's time for Iraqis to stand up and secure their nation.

[Tara Rowe]

I think Durbin was an excellent choice for the Democratic response.

[Julie Fanselow]

Dubin is taking questions. Why didn't Bush?

[Tara Rowe]

Because he can't answer questions without making a complete fool of himself?

[Tara Rowe]

Obama is on MSNBC right now.

[Julie in Boise]

Right on: He is taking Bush to task for failure to lay out consequences if Iraqis don't start taking responsibility.

Obama: A non-binding resolution will not be insignificant. Says Sam Brownback will oppose troop increase.

[Julie Fanselow]

Oddly enough, the White House hasn't posted a copy of Bush's address at its website. Click my name to see if that has changed.

[Julie in Boise]

Bush's remarks are up now. Click my name or here:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2007/01/20070110-7.html

[Jessica]

I didn't watch the speech, but based on his past speeches, I am going to say that it probably sucked, and I am sure it only confirmed how out of touch with reality he is, and perhaps fewer and fewer people will laugh when I call him a sociopath.

He is a piece of garbage and I hope he rots in hell.

[MountainGoat]

Bush is delusional. To evoke the Iraq Study Group in the speech and then not only ignore but advocate doing exactly the opposite of their recommendations, he's completely lost it. How long must we pay for the "sins" of his father. Freud would have a field day with this guy.

As for Sali, it doesn't surprise me. He's the puppet I always thought him to be.

[sharon fisher]

I wrote to the other three congressmen but I can't find Sali's web site to write him.

[Julie Fanselow]

As noted here last week, here's Sali's website:

http://sali.house.gov/contact.shtml

There's no email link that I can see, though. And maybe Gerry Sweet will get the district office phones hooked up after this weekend's gun show.

[The Nickel-Plated JA]

For the record, a MAJORITY of us 1st District voters NEVER agreed with Sali in the first place: he won with a slightly-less-than-50-percent plurality.

[sharon fisher]

yes, I came back here to get Sali's website, and learned he doesn't have email. What a putz.

Of course, I could drive around the corner to his house...

[Julie Fanselow]

NPJA: You said it. I usually take every opportunity to remind folks that Sali got 49.94%, so thanks for that.