Americans Call “BS” on Iraq Report - and Petraeus

Here that noise?  America’s bull shit detector is blaring!

According to a Rasmussen poll released today, only 39% of Americans expect the Magical September report will "honestly and accurately" reflect reality in Iraq.  

And this comes from people who still think the report is coming from General Petraeus, not the White House!  So much for the White House’s brilliant plan of stealing credibility by writing the report under the general’s name.  Only 39% of Americans think Petraeus will tell the truth.

By the way, Rasmussen today puts the president’s approval rating at 36%. What’s that tell you?  Essentially, if you’re not already in the president’s camp, you’re not buying a word of this bull shit report.  

I look at this poll – and I wonder why anyone on this site is still afraid to have General Petraeus testify on September 11.  I think it’s a gift.  That date doesn’t belong to the Republicans anymore.  This isn’t 2004.  The American people look at the anniversary of 9/11 and think: "Another year without progress.  Another year of incompetence."

Let General Petraeus sit there before Congress on 9/11 and talk about Iraq.  Bring ‘im on.  It won’t boost our resolve to fight in Iraq; it’ll remind us just how far (and how long) we’ve gone astray.

Remember in 2004, Iraq had only been going on for two years.  Now we’re in year five.  Three more years is long time in war.  That’s why the Democrats won in 2006.  We should not fear the date of 9/11.  It is a reminder of Republican failure.  

•  Tips?

  More bad news for the White House...

  Only 62% of Republicans expect the report to be positive.  In other words, one in three Republicans acknowledge that even the best spin from the White House’s handpicked general can’t come up with anything good about Iraq.

  According to the same poll, 43% of American voters believe the troop surge has already failed; 27% think its working, and 25% say it is too early to tell.

  And, most American voters (52%) still want U.S. combat troops to be withdrawn from Iraq by early next year.

  by R o o k on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:08:14 PM PDT

•  Thanks for the info

  Perhaps everyone except for the kool-aid drinkers are finally waking up. Hopefully the Dems in congress will finally stiffen their spine.

  by turneresq on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:13:53 PM PDT

•  Unfortunately....

  ...the only poll that will matter is what percentage of Democratic Congress critters, acting out of fear of being called really mean names by Mr. 36%, will captitulate on further funding for the continued Madness of King George...

  by Ken in MN on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:15:24 PM PDT

  •  Yes...

    Unfortunately...the only poll that will matter is what percentage of Democratic Congress critters, acting out of fear of being called really mean names by Mr. 36%

    Threaten today's Democratic party with nasty names and they fold like a bad hand of cards.

    by assyrian64 on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:34:54 PM PDT

•  Bring me the head...

  of Osama Bin Ladin.

  Sam Peckinpah.

  by ek hornbeck on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:16:56 PM PDT

•  we can only be lied to about 10 times

  before we begin to figure it out.  Some of us figured it out after the first 3-4 times.

  by libertyisliberal on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:21:22 PM PDT

  •  I didn't buy it after bush made this lie:

    "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

    by darthstar on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:22:34 PM PDT

    •  that was his first, as president.

      by darthstar on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:22:55 PM PDT

•  But...Bush says "We're kicking ass" in Iraq.

  Seriously, he said that in Australia today according to news reports. Prime Minister Howard asked him about his stop in Iraq and he literally said "We're kicking ass." (overheard by reporter)

  by Marinesquire on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:23:17 PM PDT

  •  Correction - said it to the Deputy Prime Minister

    assyrian64 has the link below.

    by Marinesquire on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:30:31 PM PDT

•  Unreal...

  Did you hear what Pres. Numnuts just told the Australian Deputy Prime Minister regarding Iraq? Get ready because there is going to be a tsunami of bullshit about Iraq in the next week.

  The Sydney Morning Herald:
  "We're kicking ass," Bush told Mark Vaile on the tarmac after the Deputy Prime Minister inquired politely of the President's stopover in Iraq en route to Sydney.

  by assyrian64 on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:23:41 PM PDT

•  He's testifying on Sept. 10th.

  At least, I could've sworn I read that somewhere which I cannot find now online.  Argh.

  by BruinKid on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:33:41 PM PDT

  •  Two Days of Testimony

    Sept. 10 & 11

    by R o o k on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 01:43:30 PM PDT

    •  Damn! I've got

      Jury Duty on the 10th!!!!  Pray for few trials to come up next week, please?

      by luckylizard on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 04:05:40 PM PDT

•  I'll admit, I've been calling BS on Petraeus's

  claims that Iraq might be winnable ever since I heard him say it.  I thought he was just schmoozing for a promotion.  

  But now, I think Bushco needed a fall guy and Petraeus volunteered.  Don't get me wrong, he'll still get the Medal of Freedom and maybe another star, but I still feel a little sorry for the guy.  

  Lots of generals get burned when they get involved with politics...or, I should say, politicians.

  by Ice Blue on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 12:45:09 PM PDT

  •  Save your sympathy

    Sure it's hard to stand up to a ruthless boss that rewards yes-men and punishes anyone who stands up and murmurs something truthful.  I'd be sympathetic if the guy were regional manager of a box company.  But he's a general.  And people are dying.  I completely withhold my sympathy for all of these put-upon generals who have sacrificed men for their careers.  Even the ones who held their tongues til retirement . . . .

    by ajbrown on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 01:26:23 PM PDT

    •  I still have great respect for Petraeus...

      ...back to his days in command of Fort Campbell and the 101st Airborne.

      by R o o k on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 01:44:19 PM PDT

    •  What was he supposed to do? Lead a coup?

      My mistrust of him came when he said he thought this war was winnable.

      Homo Sapiens has always been able to find a reason to fight, and no doubt always will.  Wars occur when the diplomats don't do their jobs.  No general started this--you can't slam them for knowing how to fight a battle.

      by Ice Blue on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 02:49:59 PM PDT

  •  I doubt he'll get another star

    He already has four.  The five-star rank hasn't been used in decades.

    by Sura 109 on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 02:26:51 PM PDT

    •  Oh. I thought he had three. My bad.

      by Ice Blue on Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 02:50:48 PM PDT