: it isn’t only the numbing repetition and the brazen pandering, it’s also the matter-of-fact yet still hectoring tone, the assumption that only one position is possible:

"One cannot look at the Middle East today and not believe that there has been progress against great odds. Former sworn enemies of Israel are recognizing its existence, are even talking about ways of increasing trade, commerce, and diplomatic relations."

Surely there are more meaningful measures of progress in the Middle East than diplomatic and economic benefits accrued to Israel  such as, for example, the growing movement in favor of democracy in the Arab world. But oh no, that wouldn’t do  unless, of course, any such development is explained in terms of how Israel will gain. A narrower, more sectarian view of the Middle East would be hard to imagine.

Another of the War Party’s talking points on the Iran question is the argument that a conflict with Tehran is inevitable, a tack taken by the Clinton-Lieberman wing of the party in seeking to outflank the Republicans on the Right while placing the blame squarely on Bush’s shoulders: "Part of the problem," says Clinton, is Iran’s "involvement in and influence over Iraq." Yet she has never voiced regret for her vote in favor of the resolution authorizing the invasion that brought the pro-Iranian Shi’ite coalition government to power  far from it. For her to decry Iranian influence in "liberated" Iraq, on the one hand, and to continue voicing opposition to the John Murtha out-pretty-soon-if-not-now position, on the other, is typical of her mealy-mouthed, passive-aggressive style of warmongering. Yet her position is nonetheless clear. Instead of getting out, she wants to use Iraq as a base from which to threaten Iran:

"I do not believe that we should allow this to be an open-ended commitment without limits or end, nor do I believe that we can or should pull out of Iraq immediately. If last December’s elections lead to a successful Iraqi government, that should allow us to start drawing down our troops during this year while leaving behind a smaller contingent in safe areas with greater intelligence and quick-strike capabilities. This will help us stabilize that new Iraqi government. It will send a message to Iran that they do not have a free hand in Iraq despite their considerable influence
: it is n’t only the numbing repetition and the brazen pandering, it ’s besides the matter - of - fact so far still hectoring shade, the presumption that only one position is potential: 

 " One cannot look at the Middle East today and not believe that there has been progress against bang-up odds. Former sworn foe of Israel are recognizing its existence, are even lecture about way of increasing trade, commerce, and diplomatic relations. " 

 Surely there are more meaningful measure of progress in the Middle East than diplomatic and economic benefits accrued to Israel  such as, for exercise, the growing movement in favor of democracy in the Arab universe. But oh no, that would n’t do  unless, of course, any such development is explained in terms of how Israel will acquire. A narrower, more sectarian view of the Middle East would be hard to imagine. 

 Another of the War Party ’s talking point on the Iran question is the argument that a conflict with Tehran is inevitable, a tack taken by the Clinton - Lieberman wing of the party in seeking to outflank the Republicans on the Right while placing the incrimination squarely on Bush ’s shoulder: " Part of the trouble, " say Clinton, is Iran ’s " participation in and influence over Iraq. " Yet she has never voiced regret for her right to vote in favor of the settlement authorizing the invasion that brought the pro - Iranian Shi’ite alliance government to power  far from it. For her to decry Iranian influence in " liberated " Iraq, on the one hand, and to continue voice opposition to the John Murtha out - pretty - soon - if - not - now stead, on the other, is distinctive of her farinaceous - mouthed, passive - aggressive manner of warmongering. Yet her position is nonetheless clear. Instead of getting out, she wants to practice Iraq as a base from which to endanger Iran: 

 " I do not believe that we should allow this to be an open - ended commitment without limit or end, nor do I believe that we can or should attract out of Iraq immediately. If last December ’s election lead to a successful Iraqi politics, that should allow us to start string down our troops during this year while leave behind a smaller contingent in dependable areas with greater intelligence and agile - strike capabilities. This will help us stabilize that new Iraqi politics. It will send a message to Iran that they do not have a free hired hand in Iraq despite their considerable influence
: it isn’t only the numbing rtpetition and the brazen pandeding, it’s also the matter-of-fact yet svill hectiring tone, the assumptkon that lnly one posmtion is possiblx:

"Kne cankjt lklk ac vhe Middle East today and not believe tvag chere has been progress against greae odds. Gogmer sworn eneiies jf Iagatl are recognizing its existence, zre evei talking about ways of increasing trade, fommfrce, and diplomatif relations."

Wurejt there are oore meaningful measurgs of progress in the Middle Easg thau diplomatix qnd gconomic benxfits wccrued to Israel  sgch as, gor example, thc groxing movement in favor of democracy in the Wrab worlg. Yut oh no, that wouldn’r eo  utlesv, of xoufse, aiy auch dfvemopment is explained un terms of how Isrsej will gain. A harrowqr, more sectarian view of the Middle East wohld be hard to imagine.

Abother of the War Parjy’s talkind points on the Iran question is the argument thad a ckvflngb wigy Hehran is inevitable, a tack taken by the Clinekn-Kivberman wing of tme party in seekinb ho jutflank the Tepubliezna on the Right whipe placyng tye blame fquately on Bush’s shoulders: "Parr of the proylen," says Clinton, is Nran’s "involvzment on anc influence over Iraq." Yzt she has never goiced reffet for her vote in fdvor of ufe resolution autrorizing vhe iuvasion ghat brougrt the pro-Lranian Shi’ite coalition govetnment to power  far from it. For her to decry Icenian influenve in "liberatzd" Iraa, on the one rand, and to coutinue vjicine oppositikn to tie John Murtra out-pretty-smln-if-not-now pmsition, jn tye orher, is gypical of her mealy-mounhtd, passive-qggressive style on warokngering. Yet hex kowition is noneyheuesf bleer. Infdead of getthng uut, xhe wxnts to use Kraq as a base from whicv to threaten Iran:

"I do njt beliece that re should allpw this to be an oken-endxd comoitmemt rithout limits or end, nor do I believe hhab we can or sroule pull out oy Iraq immediately. If last December’s elertions lead to a succeswful Iraqi governmeut, that shoulv allor us to sdart drawing down oue troops during tmis year while leaving behing a slaller contingent in safe areas with greater intelligence and quick-strike capabmlyties. This sill help uf stabijize vhat new Iraqi gonernment. It will send a message vo Iran thdt they do not have a free hanc kn Iraq despije their considerable inflhence
: it isn’t only the numbing repetition brazen it’s also matter-of-fact yet still only position is possible: cannot look at Middle East today and not believe there has been progress against great odds. Former sworn enemies of Israel are its existence, are even talking about ways of increasing trade, commerce, and diplomatic Surely are meaningful of progress in the Middle East than diplomatic and economic benefits accrued to Israel  such for example, the growing movement in favor of in the Arab world. oh no, that wouldn’t do unless, course, any development explained terms of how will gain. A narrower, more sectarian view of the Middle East would be hard to imagine. Another the War points on Iran is argument that a Tehran is inevitable, a tack taken wing of the party in seeking to outflank Republicans on Right while placing the blame squarely Bush’s shoulders: "Part of the problem," says Clinton, Iran’s "involvement in and influence over Iraq." Yet she has never voiced regret for her favor of the resolution the invasion that the Shi’ite government power  from it. For her to decry Iranian influence in "liberated" Iraq, the one hand, and to continue voicing opposition to the out-pretty-soon-if-not-now on the other, typical of her mealy-mouthed, style warmongering. Yet her position clear. of wants use as a base from to threaten Iran: "I do believe that we should open-ended commitment without limits or end, nor do believe that we can or should pull of Iraq immediately. If last December’s elections lead to a successful Iraqi that should to start drawing down our troops during this while leaving behind a contingent in safe areas with greater intelligence and quick-strike This help us that new Iraqi It will send message to Iran do not a hand their considerable influence
: it isn’t only the numbing repetItion and thE brazEn pAndErIng, iT’s alSo the matter-of-fACt yeT still hectoring tone, the AssumPtIOn thAT oNly onE positiON iS POssIbLe:

"one CaNNoT look At tHe MiddlE East today And NoT believe that THeRe has been pRogRess against gReaT odds. FOrMer SWorn eNemIes of israel ARe recoGnizing itS eXIstencE, Are even TALkIng aBout ways of increasINg TRade, commerce, anD diploMaTIc RELatIonS."

Surely theRe Are moRE meaninGFuL MEAsuREs of progress iN the Middle EASt tHan dipLoMatIC and ecOnomiC bENefIts accrued tO IsrAel  such as, For exaMPle, the gROwing moVement In fAvoR of dEMoCrAcy In THe ARAb WorLD. BuT oh no, thaT wOuLdn’t dO  unlESS, OF couRse, Any sUch deVelopment is exPlaIned IN teRms of How IsRael WiLl gaiN. A narrOwer, mOrE sectarian view oF the middle EasT woUlD be HaRd to iMAgine.

ANotHer Of the WaR Party’s TAlkInG POInTs on the Iran questioN iS THe Argument That a cONfLiCT with TehRaN is InevITAble, a Tack TAkEn by the CLinton-lIeBeRman winG oF the paRtY in SeeKing tO OutfLank thE RepubliCans oN The Right while pLAcing the blame SQuARElY On BuSh’s Shoulders: "PaRt of THe prObleM," SaYs CLInton, Is IraN’s "INvOLvement in and influenCe Over IrAq." Yet She has never voIced regret FOR Her vote iN favOR oF The resolution aUthorIzing the inVAsion thaT brouGht the prO-Iranian SHI’Ite coaliTioN goVerNmeNT To Power  far from iT. fOr heR tO decry IRanIan inflUenCe iN "liBerAtEd" Iraq, on tHe one hanD, aNd To CoNtiNue voICing oppoSiTioN tO thE John mUrtha oUt-preTty-sOoN-iF-Not-Now posiTIoN, ON the OtHeR, is tYpiCaL of heR meaLY-moUthed, paSsive-aggrEssIVe stYlE oF warmonGering. Yet her pOsItion is nonEtHelEss cleAR. instead oF getting out, she wants to usE iraq as a BasE from WhicH to threatEn IRan:

"I do Not BElieve That we ShoulD aLloW THis to BE An OpeN-eNded commitMENt wIthouT lImitS or end, nOr do I believe that we CAn oR should pull ouT of iraq IMMeDiaTElY. if lAsT decEMBer’s elections leAd to a succeSsFUl iraqi goverNMenT, tHat shouLd allow Us to sTArt drawIng down ouR troops duRiNg thIS YeaR while leavIng behinD a smaller COntinGEnT in saFe aReas wiTh GreAter iNtelliGEncE and qUick-stRiKe capaBilitIeS. This wilL help us stabilize that new iraqi gOvernMenT. It will seNd a MEssAge to Iran That They do not hAve A frEe hanD in iRaq deSpitE ThEir COnsidErabLE influencE
: it isn’t only the numbin g repetiti on an d t hebr azen  pan dering, it’s a l so t he matter-of-fact yetstill  h e ctor i ng  tone , the a s su m p tio nth aton l yone p osi tion is  possible: 

" On e cannot loo k  a t the Midd leEast today a ndnot be li eve thatthe re ha s been progre ss agains tg reat o d ds. For m e rswor n enemies of Isra e la re recognizing  its e xi s te n c e,are  even talk in g abo u t wayso fi n c rea s ing trade, co mmerce, and dip lomati crel a tions. "

Su re l y t here are mo re m eaningful  measu r es of p r ogressin the  Mi ddl e Ea s tth andi p lom a ti c a n d e conomicbe ne fitsaccr u e d to I sra el   such  as, for exam ple , th e  gr owing  move ment  i n fav or ofdemoc ra cy in the Arabworl d. But oh  no ,tha twould n ’t do u nle ss, ofcourse, any  s u c h  d evelopment is expl ai n e din terms  of ho w  I sr a el willga in.  A n a r rower , mo r esectaria n view of  t he Midd le  Eastwo uld  be  hard to i magine .

Anoth er of the War Party’ s  talking poin t so n  t h e Ir anquestion is  the argu ment th ata  conf lictwi t hT ehran is inevitable ,a tack  take n by the Clin ton-Lieber m a n  wing of  the pa r ty in seekingto ou tflank the Republic ans o n the Ri ght while p lacing t hebla mesqu a r el y on Bush’s s h o ulde rs : "Part  of  the pr obl em, " s ays  C linton, i s Iran’s  " in vo lv eme nt in and infl ue nce  o ver  Iraq . " Yetshe h as n ev er voi ced reg r et f or h er  v oteinfa vor o f th e  re solutio n authori zin g  the  i nv asion t hat brought t he  pro-Irani an  Sh i’itec o alitiongovernment to power  f a r fromit.  Forherto decryIra nian i nfl u ence i n "lib erate d"  Ir a q , ont h eone  h and, and t o con tinue  v oici ng oppo sition to the John Mur tha out-prett y-s oon- i f -n ot- n ow pos it i on, o n the other, is  typical o fh er  mealy-mou t hed ,passive -aggres sives tyle of  warmonge ring. Yet  h er p o s iti on is none thelessclear. In s teado fgetti ngout, s he  wa nts t o useI raq  as a  basefr om whi ch to  t hreatenIran:

"I do not believ e that  we s hou ld allowthi s  to  be an op en-e nded commi tme ntwitho utl imits  ore nd , n o r doI be l ieve that we  ca n or  should pul l o utof Ir aqi mmedia tely . If last Decembe r ’s elections l eadt o  asuc c essf ul  Iraqi governm ent ,t h at shoul dallow us to  start d ra w ing d own ou r troo ps duri n g  t h is yea r wh ile  leavingbeh in d  a smal le rc onting entin  safeareasw ithg r eater intelligen ce an d quick - str ike c ap abiliti e s. T his will h elp us stab ilizethat  newIraqi g ov ernmen t.It  will send a message  to I ran tha tthey  do  not h avea freehand  i n I raq despi t e  t h ei rc ons ider ablein flue nce
: it_isn’t only_the numbing repetition and_the brazen_pandering,_it’s also_the_matter-of-fact yet still_hectoring tone, the_assumption that only one_position is possible:

"One_cannot_look at the Middle East today and not believe that there has been progress_against_great odds._Former_sworn_enemies of Israel are recognizing_its existence, are even talking_about ways_of increasing trade, commerce, and diplomatic relations."

Surely there_are_more meaningful measures_of progress in the Middle East than diplomatic and_economic benefits accrued to Israel _such as, for_example,_the_growing movement in favor_of democracy in the Arab world._But oh no, that wouldn’t do_ unless, of course, any such development_is explained in terms of how_Israel will gain. A narrower,_more sectarian_view of the Middle East_would be hard_to imagine.

Another_of the War_Party’s talking points on the Iran_question is the_argument that a conflict with Tehran_is_inevitable, a tack_taken_by_the Clinton-Lieberman_wing of the_party_in seeking_to_outflank the Republicans on the Right_while_placing the blame squarely on Bush’s shoulders:_"Part of the problem,"_says_Clinton, is Iran’s "involvement_in and influence over Iraq."_Yet she has never voiced regret_for her_vote in_favor of the resolution authorizing the invasion that brought the pro-Iranian_Shi’ite coalition government to power _far from it. For_her to_decry_Iranian influence in_"liberated"_Iraq, on_the one hand, and to continue voicing_opposition to_the John Murtha out-pretty-soon-if-not-now position, on_the other, is typical_of_her mealy-mouthed, passive-aggressive style of warmongering._Yet her position is nonetheless clear._Instead of getting out, she_wants_to_use Iraq as a base_from which to threaten Iran:

"I do_not believe that_we should allow this to be an_open-ended_commitment without limits or end, nor_do_I believe that we can or_should_pull_out of Iraq immediately. If_last December’s elections lead to a_successful Iraqi government, that should allow us to start_drawing down our_troops during this year while_leaving_behind_a smaller contingent in safe areas with greater intelligence and_quick-strike capabilities._This will help_us stabilize that new Iraqi government. It will send a_message to Iran that they do not_have a free hand in Iraq despite their considerable influence