Joe Lieberman isn't about to let Old Lord McCain out-love his Chimperor. In Friday's Washington Post, Lieberman lays out some strokes for W:
The American people are justifiably frustrated by the lack of progress, and the price paid by our heroic troops and their families has been heavy. But what is needed now, especially in Washington and Baghdad, is not despair but decisive action -- and soon.
Will RGJoe get the same Western White House smackdown The Other Joe got for expressing an opinion before the Decider finishes deciderating? Think there'll likely be any official criticism for Senator Lieberman straying from his minders during his recent tour?
In Baghdad and Ramadi, I found that it was the American colonels, even more than the generals, who were asking for more troops. In both places these soldiers showed a strong commitment to the cause of stopping the extremists. One colonel followed me out of the meeting with our military leaders in Ramadi and said with great emotion, "Sir, I regret that I did not have the chance to speak in the meeting, but I want you to know on behalf of the soldiers in my unit and myself that we believe in why we are fighting here and we want to finish this fight. We know we can win it."
And RGJoe carefully polishes his President's sycophants' favorite synonym for escalation:
In nearly four years of war, there have never been sufficient troops dispatched to accomplish our vital mission. The troop surge should be militarily meaningful in size, with a clearly defined mission.
Don't miss the Senator's unintentional irony here as he parrots AEI Team B (my bold):
More U.S. forces might not be a guarantee of success in this fight, but they are certainly its prerequisite. Just as the continuing carnage in Baghdad empowers extremists on all sides, establishing security there will open possibilities for compromise and cooperation on the Iraqi political front -- possibilities that simply do not exist today because of the fear gripping all sides.
Somebody's angling for a front-row seat at the PigFarm on SaddamDay. Will you get your wish, Senator Lieberman? Will you get to watch the satellite feed with Dear Leader? At least you tried hard for the invite, Senator.
This dangerous man has great influence on those who are making this decision. Methinks the die is cast if Lieberman's willing to go on record like this, in all his glorious bipartisanship.