Here's what I thought you'd like to hear about today:

1. Is there enough time? - Pressure at home
2. The evil we face - Chemical Bombs in Iraq
3. Is the Pressure Good - The Media thinks it helps
4. About those Attorneys - Hatch Goes Wild!

Download
Subscribe
Add Wizbang Podcast to iTunes

Is there enough time? - Pressure at home

One of the biggest fears I have is that the support for the war effort in Iraq will dwindle away as the drum beat of negative media stories convinces people that success is not possible. This is what Henry Kissinger feared when he spoke to the Baker/Hamilton commission on Iraq. He felt that we could win militarily, but that it might take longer than the duration of American support. I spoke about that in my podcast #48 back in November, where he was interviewed by the BBC. In that interview, which was widely misquoted, Kissinger said such a victory could not be achieved in the "time period that the political processes of the democracies will support." Now that a few months have passed since that worry was expressed, the media has relentlessly driven down public opinion and lead us to the point where congress has voted for a withdrawal timetable.

Today I'm going to play a variety of clips from people involved in the war effort to show how this process is affecting our hope of success. First up is a clip from former US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad. He gave a farewell speech before he left his post to become the new UN Ambassador to the US on March 26. He spoke and answered reporters questions. He spoke of what he felt had been accomplished, and what still remained. One of the most important things he said was during the question and answer section, when he talked about the pressure from the home front for withdrawal. Listen to his answer to the reporter's question. Thanks to the Pentagon Channel for the audio.

Play clip.

Serious scholars can argue about a balancing act, but I don't think that's what the Democrats in Congress have in mind. Their single minded goal is the discrediting of George Bush. Any side effects, like the destruction of Iraq, or a failure in the global war on terror, or any collateral damage to the reputation of the United States in the world is irrelevant. Khalilzad went on to describe why reconciliation is so challenging in Iraq. This question from an Iraqi reporter goes to this issue.

Play clip.

I think the Ambassador was referring to more than just what different people in Iraq are saying when he talks about over interpretation. It is easy to over interpret what is happening in Congress, with the threat of withdrawal growing with each swipe the Democrats are taking against the President. The Iraqis have to make decisions each day in light of our eventual withdrawal. And what does it incent them to do? I suspect that it incents the terrorists to ignore any temporary setbacks they might experience because they know that our departure will occur sooner the more violence they can cause. And cause violence they will.

The evil we face - Chemical Bombs in Iraq

I listened to a Pentagon Channel podcast the other day from Iraq, in which Navy Rear Adm. Mark I. Fox, Multinational Force Iraq's communications division chief spoke about some recent truck bombs loaded with Chlorine that made the headlines. Listen to this description of the enemy we face, and imagine such a thing driving down the streets of Des Moines in five years.

Play clip.

If we leave prematurely, what is to keep these maniacs from following us home? There's a picture of the truck that failed to detonate on the Wizbang Podcast site. The pictures were from Black Anthem.com Military News site.

Later in the week, Rear Admiral Fox hosted a bloggers conference call that it was my pleasure to join. He talked more about the effect the surge is having in Baghdad, speaking in optimistic but cautious terms of the slow progress being made. I asked him if we had enough time, given the pressure to withdrawal we are seeing every day from the Democrats. It's clearly on their minds as well.

Play clip.

I'm sure the military is as worried about the political situation back home as the political situation inside Iraq.

Is the Pressure Good - The Media thinks it helps

Some of the Democrats and their media enablers are nobly claiming that the home side pressure on Iraq in the form of withdrawal threats are helpful. As Khalilzad suggested, there is a certain amount of pressure that helps. Here's a set of questions on the current funding bill for the surge asked of the White House temporary briefer, Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino on March 28. Notice Wendell Goler of Fox News asking about the pork and the pressure.

Play clip.

Compared to the regular press briefer, Tony Snow, Ms Perino sounds a bit panicked there. Let's hope Tony Snow recovers from his cancer and can return as quickly as possible. Our prayers are with him and his family.

Here's another example of the media thinking that all this pressure is helping the Iraqis reconcile among the warring factions more quickly. On ABC's This Week, George Stephanopoulos and Martha Raddatz discussed this fantasy.

Play clip.

I suppose that scenario is as likely as any other. Goodness knows we want our troops home, but we also don't want to leave in defeat, which is what the withdrawal measures Congress is fussing over now will ensure.

About those Attorneys - Hatch Goes Wild!

I've enjoyed all the Democratic fuss over the fired U.S. Attorneys. The Democrats are using the incompetency in the Justice department, and the shifting responses from Attorney General Gonzales, to launch a fishing expedition into who knew what when. It's political theater that never ceases to entertain me. But it is sad to see the Republicans just rolling over and taking the punches that those like Pat Leahy and Charles Schumer. But on Meet the Press Sunday, Utah Senator Orrin Hatch went on the offensive against the craziness. Listen to him get hot under the collar while normally moonbatty Pat Leahy gets more and more calm. Tim Russert cites a litany of faults and mistakes in the Justice department handling of the matter, and asks for comment from the good Senator.

Play clip.

As Orrin says, there is no evidence of interference in ongoing investigations. It is a fishing expedition, nothing more. The Democrats just want to get senior White House officials in front of a Senate committee to extract sound bytes for the evening news. Nothing more, move along people. Good for Senator Hatch for finally striking back. Of course it's political. Right Senator Kerry?

Play clip.

Just as you say John. That's it for now podcatchers. I'm Charlie Quidnunc reporting for the Wizbang podcast from high above downtown Seattle.