Is Democratic House Majority Whip Jim Clyburn really rooting for defeat in Iraq?

Question

From mediamatters.org:

What Clyburn said... is that if Gen. David Petraeus were to report in September that the military effort in Iraq "is working very, very well at this point; we would be foolish to back away from it," it would cause "those 47 Blue Dogs ... to want to stay the course, and if the Republicans were to remain united, as they have been, then it would be a problem for us."

The Cons (including Mitt Romney) are idiotically taking the quote out of context, saying that Clyburn was lamenting that success in Iraq would be a blow to the Demos politically. That is clearly false. However, what did Jim Clyburn's statement really say about his own feelings about Iraq? On the one hand, he thinks that if the surge is working, we should stay. On the other hand, he is concerned that if it really is working, the Demos will not be able to get us out. This is not "rooting for defeat," as the Cons have charged, but he is fence-straddling.

What does Clyburn really want?

All good answers so far, thank you. I think I should have made my main question: What does Jim Clyburn really want?

In a perfect world, what would happen in Iraq and in Congress over the next six months?

Answer 1

He was honest (perhaps accidentally) about the fact that the Democrat party is now heavily invested in the Iraq war going poorly. That's all.

If things go well, I don't expect that they will be upset with that fact, but with the fact that the foundation of their platform is gone.

I don't believe that any are inclined to directly harm the troops, but they are blind to the indirect harm caused by their rhetoric. The morale of a soldier is certainly affected when his wife gets all panicked by the Dems constant search for any and every negative on the ground.

Answer 2

Sheeesh! Where have these people been??? Harry Reid has already stated the war is lost; we're loosing the hearts and heads of the Iraqi people; the war is unwinable! These words coming from our own U.S. Congress that entertains a whopping 3% in todays political polls. Who you going to believe?

Let's put this in perspective people. The entire Liberal come-S-P Democrat Leadership has bought this war and it now belongs to them. You also have to remember, they all, that is, as in ALL, voted to support the Global War on Terror, the enforcement of UN Resolution 1441 and fund what ever action the Bush Administration chose to take. There was but one Lib who did not vote and he didn't know what he was doing. Now he says he does. He's campaigning for the presidency and is suddenly embued with being smart, astute and with it. NOT!

Now, all those who cast their lot with the Bushes have tried to back away and it's not working. All continue to make fools of themselves by their mewlings, fawnings and catering to the Kooky Left where the money is.

As far as "The Cons taking the quote out of context...." Read it again or listen to it again. I did and there was nothing taken from context and his statement was clear as a bell. I know y'all get confused with the truth and facts. But, you will not be forgiven.

You Flamers and Political Trolls best get ready for a year of retribution from the rest of the US population when all the truth comes out and the lies told exposed.

Answer 3

The statement is taken out of political context.

Right now, the Democrats have an edge -- because of the turmoil in Iraq, people want someone else in charge.

If people stop caring about the Iraq issue, the Democrats need to find something else to given them a political edge, and something else to use to motivate the voters.

Clyburn was assessing a political reality. That's all.

Answer 4

The Democratic political party is heavily invested in a defeat in Iraq. They are terrified of a victory there as then - what will they look like?

Answer 5

I think he wants to keep the Blue Dogs with the majority of Democrats so that we can get out of Iraq.

Answer 6

No Democrat is rooting for defeat in Iraq. Period.