the13thfloor

If your a discouraged consevative thinking of not voting, read this article.Democrats better hedge bets�-�Commentary�-�The Washington Times, America's Newspaper. We cannot allow the Dems to take over the house or the senate.

In this commentary William Shawcross: Deny Islamists reward in Iraq Opinion The Australian acknowledges the problems in Iraq and the hurdles that need to be overcome. What stuck me was his statement Al-Qa'ida and the Shi'ite terrorists hope to inflict defeat on Republicans in US elections in November that will weaken American commitment to the future of Iraq and thus strengthen Islamism throughout the world. As Salih said, for the West's sake as well as that of Iraq, we need to be "realistic, not defeatist". Unfortunately, the media still is trying to suppress the Republican base including Fox news with biased poll numbers and talk of 25 seats in the house. Americans need to understand it was a long haul to success in Iraq. Shawcross continues: Like everyone who loves Iraq, he is worried about it. But he is not panicked. He points out that it took the British army four years to get its tactics right in Malaya, then another seven years to defeat the insurgency there. Similarly, in Oman there was a learning curve in the 1970s. "The US Army and the marines have transformed themselves in the last two years," he says. "They set up their own counter-insurgency school and all officers down to platoon level pass through it. It is a far more effective force than it was in 2003." The Iraqi Army has improved as well. "In January 2005 there were only four battalions which were any good," Anderson says. "Now we can think in terms of several divisions that can be relied upon. Of course none of this will be submitted to the American public through the MSM.

Gerald Baker has an understanding of the America I know and love that most liberals in this country will never admit to. In his comentary Iraq is just a comma, not a death sentence - Comment - Times Online Baker wites: What will determine America’s ability to maintain its pre-eminence will be its flexibility and the willingness of its population to take on new burdens in the new warfare that confronts them. This is so true and the left in this country is constantly undermining our determination to win. Baker also writes: The real question about American power is whether the realities that underpin it are shifting. There, I’m afraid, the news for Americaphobes is grim. The US economy continues to grow at a pace that far outstrips its rivals in the industrialised world. Though China is growing at three times the pace of the US, America’s economy is so large — $12 trillion annually — that , even in the unlikely event that China will continue to grow at its current rate, it will take 30 to 40 years to catch up with America. Show me anywhere where this has been written by the MSM. You won't find it because it bolsters the fact that America is exceptional.

I actually found the vaunted Democratic plan for Iraq onThe Hill Blog in a response to a Barbara Boxer Post. In the next twelve months, we need to make substantial progress in turning over responsibility for the security of Iraq to the government and people of Iraq. To date, we have failed in this effort and the Administration must change its policies in Iraq if we are going to stem the bloodshed. To start, we should make it clear to the forces fomenting civil war - primarily the Sunni militants - that they can either rein in their violent supporters or face the prospect of a conflict with the majority Shiite forces that they would likely lose. In order to emphasize our commitment to this plan, we should begin to withdraw U.S. forces from selected parts of Iraq and replace them with Iraqi forces. This approach was first proposed by Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, earlier this year in a Senate amendment. If this strategy succeeds, we should systematically withdraw more US troops as Iraqi forces are prepared to defend their new government. If the strategy falters, we should attempt to negotiate a three-state federation of Shiites, Sunni and Kurdish states, facilitating a divided but stable Iraq, and enabling withdrawal of US troops. Comment by N.J. Dem. Rep. Rob Andrews — October 18, 2006 @ 5:09 pm Just a few questions for Rep. Andrews: Could you please define 'substantial progress' as it pertains to tuning over responsibility for the security of Iraq to the Iraqi forces. It seems to me that the current administration has as one of the pillars of Victory In Iraq.It also seems to me that we have turned over control in many provinceshttp://www.defence.gov.au/minister/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=5805 already.

Dick Morris in his infinite wisdom has the GOP dead and buried here There goes the GOP base � and probably both houses. He bases his conclusions on the Gallop polling produced Oct. 6-8. He concludes: Churchgoing whites are the core of the Republican base. The fact that they are now breaking even in the approaching midterm elections foretells total disaster for the GOP. For this group to leave is, quite literally, the political equivalent of the last dog dying! It is now likely that they will lose both houses of Congress. With this kind of defection, Republican Sens. Mike DeWine (Ohio), Conrad Burns (Mont.), Rick Santorum (Pa.), Jim Talent (Mo.) and Lincoln Chaffee (R.I.) seem likely to be gone. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist’s (R-Tenn.) seat seems likely to go to Rep. Harold Ford (D-Tenn.). And Sen. George Allen (R-Va.) may also be on his way out. In New Jersey, after trailing Tom Kean Jr. for most of September, Sen. Robert Menendez (D) seems to have moved out to a small lead that will probably grow Give me a break! The party is going to stay at home because Foley has a sick mind? The base will not vote because the Democrats have a better plan? I don't think so. I think the polls are wishful thinking and Morris would love to see the consevatives lose.

If the Democrats actually take over the house (not likely), this article TCS Daily - Read Their Lips gives you an idea of what the leadership will look like and what they are likely to do. Not a pretty sight!

Please take the time to read this entire post in the Daily Kos: Welcome to the United States of White America, as these will be the excuses used to explain how the Republicans were able to hold on to both the House and Senate with slight margins. We stole the elections using shady strategies and techniques (which means the Democrats don't have a monopoly on election fraud anymore.) They have had 6 years since 2000, 4 years since 2002 and 2 years since 2004 and I don't think there have been any convictions for election fraud. If your going to make accusations, after six years I would have assumed you could prove them. NOT!!. If the liberal leaning voter were educated and concerned, they would be sure to have a 'picture ID' and proper registration for the election. These indiviuals would take the time during the day (Generally between 7am and 7pm, the 1st Tuesday in November) to exercise their constitutional right to participate. But many of them won't and many will try to cheat. That's why there are election laws on the books and why they should be enforced.

John P. Murtha (he served 37 years in the Marine Corps.) is at it again. with this piece Confessions of a 'Defeatocrat' - washingtonpost.com. I was hoping he was going to use his 37 years of experience and actually lay out a plan for winning the war in Iraq. Instead he just plays the same old tired record. He states, Our troops who are putting their lives on the line deserve a plan that matches our military prowess with diplomatic and political skill. They deserve a clear and achievable mission and they deserve to know precisely what it will take to accomplish it. They deserve answers, not spin. His plan, blame the bush administration. Typical!! You guys on the left want to controll congress and the senate?? Lay out a plan for all to see. Give us something to compare to the status quo. Until then, the country will not elect you to any positions of power.