I feel more optimistic now that the forces trying to prevent America from staying in the War in Iraq are finally beginning to lose credibility in the media. Maybe there are only a few sunny spots in a cloudy sky, but the interview that The New York Times’ Baghdad Bureau Chief John Burns gave to Charlie Rose the other night is being widely circulated and commented upon. (See video of the interview here.) In it, Burns makes clear—to Rose’s surprise—that he and others following events day by day in Iraq realize that the U.S. cannot just get up on leave, even in 120 days. This view of Burns’ is not new (see this earlier post of mine). But it is dawning on more people now that his stand is contrary to the perfervid position of the Times’ editorial page and almost all its columnists.
Then there were the statements of American generals on the scene saying that the Surge is working but definitely needs more time. And John McCain’s eloquent address on the Senate floor this week. Sen. McCain seems almost liberated by the decline of his electoral prospects in recent days to state all the more clearly—and without hint of politics—the true conditions in Iraq. Meanwhile, the Democrats’ all-night anti-war showboat ran aground, failing to attract either the popular interest or the Senate votes to keep it afloat.
These are all good signs. I recommend reading the Burns’ interview and then the McCain speech.