A classic MSM damned-if-you-do-damned-if-you-don't moment on this morning's "Today". Tim Russert declared that when it comes to his surge-or-not-to-surge decision on Iraq, President Bush is in "a lose-lose situation."
According to Russert, if the president proceeds with the surge, the Dem-controlled Congress will hold hearings with experts "and they will give the president a very difficult time on the surge capacity."
Continued Tim: "On the other hand, if the president decides not to go forward with the surge of American troops, many members of his conservative base, particularly the neo-conservatives who have been supporting this war, will be agitated with him."
Those darn neo-cons, making trouble again.
View video of Russert's lose-lose formulation here.
Tim actually forgot a third part of the equation: whatever decision the president makes, he is sure to be criticized . . . by the MSM.
UPDATE: Good Morning America's treatment of the president's surge decison was balanced in contrast with Today's. Senior national correspondent Jake Tapper narrated a segment that, in addition to the politics of the issue, actually addressed the substance. We were even offered a clip of retired Army General Jack Keane who expressed support for the surge in these terms: "It will buy us some time, probably as much as two years, so we can bring down the level of violence to an appropriate level for the growth and development of the Iraqi security forces to handle that level of violence."
Finkelstein recently visited Iraq. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net
—Mark Finkelstein is a NewsBusters contributing editor and host of Right Angle. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net.
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OK. After listening to the
December 21, 2006 - 08:19 ET by Red JeepOK. After listening to the media/actor know-it-alls, I think all decisions about how to use the military in Iraq should be secretly reviewed by Tim Russert and Matt Damon before implementation. Then after strategy is announced Tim and Matt can publicly come out and say, “Great plan Mr. President!” s/off
I was just thinking the same
December 21, 2006 - 08:24 ET by msh1973I was just thinking the same thing. I just don't understand how the msm thinks they are experts in military matters. How stupid and arrogant. They don't sit in on any briefings of high level information, yet they continue to give the President advice on how to run the Country, the war and everything in between. It makes me sick to my stomach.
Another example of damned if
December 21, 2006 - 10:27 ET by kwAnother example of damned if you do or damned if you don't...President Bush lsitening to the generals on the ground. Hasn't President Bush been telling us that he has been lsitening to the generals. If so, is their advice any good? Now as he considers the surge, he is going against his generals. Spun of course as listen to the generals = bad, don't listen to the generals = bad. Makes me sick. Where is the referrendum on Iraq from election day...where is COngress in the mix?
RJ - let us now advance the c
December 21, 2006 - 08:41 ET by FastEdRJ - let us now advance the challenge that the msm (Lsm) and the actors guild come up with a military policy, for Iraq and Afghanistan, and present it to the american people. Let us see, exactly what they would propose. We should also demand that they have an exit plan, for themselves, if this country gets attacked again.
To the msm and lame actors, time to put up or shut up! What would YOU do, how would you implement it, what happens if YOUR plan doesn't work? Justify all of your plans, just as you demand justification for the present plans.
Just a question - how many of these lame-o actors have actually talked with the people who are protecting them? Same goes for the msm, rip-and-read artists who don't know where the terrorists live.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Is it just me.......or does t
December 21, 2006 - 12:22 ET by JayTeeIs it just me.......or does the Pics of Russet and Rosie on the Blog sorta look like the Same Person ? I need to manipulate some Pics and put Rosies Hair on Russet, and see if we are being Fooled...
and there's Russert, once aga
December 21, 2006 - 08:31 ET by Chris Normanand there's Russert, once again, with that schadenfreude grin on his face...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
schadenfreude - is that anyth
December 21, 2006 - 08:42 ET by FastEdschadenfreude - is that anything like, um, stuff eating grin?
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Well, there's that :). But, t
December 21, 2006 - 08:48 ET by Chris NormanEd,
Well, there's that :). But, those wacky Germans come up with words to describe things that one sees but never knows how to describe succinctly. "Schadenfreude" is the pleasure some people get from the misfortune of another person.
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Does that mean that maybe, ju
December 21, 2006 - 08:55 ET by FastEdDoes that mean that maybe, just maybe, sometime in the near future WE may have that feeling ourselves? When all of the demo-lib plans go south and chrissy and the rest of the msm have their crow banquet? 'tis a Christmas wish!
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
-When all of the demo-lib pla
December 21, 2006 - 10:00 ET by ghotifun-When all of the demo-lib plans go south and chrissy and the rest of the msm have their crow banquet? -
The problem with a crow banquet is that many innocent Americans will die because of the decisions of the Demsm.
The President was asked yesterday why he didn't do what the polls were "obviously" telling him to do. How absurd! The president who did govern by polls GOT us into 9-11 by gutting our intelligence capabilities and leaving us in the dark and impotent.
You're right. How arrogant!!!!!
Ed,Oh, absolutely. I'm not sa
December 21, 2006 - 10:04 ET by Chris NormanEd,
Oh, absolutely. I'm not saying I'm above a little schadenfreude myself...
The dogs bark, but the caravan moves on.
- Arabian Proverb
Libs
December 21, 2006 - 09:29 ET by iveseenitallLet's see. Hillary goes to Joy and Rosie. Now they probaly want the President to have Timmy boy, that little cherub with horns on his head and Matt Damon, boy genius, to come over to the White House for consultation. Liberals are the most arrogant fools on the face of the earth.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
NEVER,NEVER trust a liberal
NEO-CONS
December 21, 2006 - 09:55 ET by Six String SpiffHmmmmm I see it's quite alright for the all knowing all powerful MSM (Laughing my ass off as I typed that one!) to hurl around "neo-con" , but as soon as we label someone as LIBERAL.. well.. then "its doesnt get us anywhere to label people..." I am SO SICK of these MSM hypocrites and song singing liberals who think that this wonderful country is to blame for all the problems in the world.
My Christmas Wish List:
Israel Nukes Iran...and Syria.
Bush grows some nuts and withdraws our troops, only to unleash nuclear fury on all the waring factions in Iraq.
Harry Reid accidentally catches on fire.
Pelosi loses all of her plastic surgury so we can see it's Bill Clinton in a costume.
SOmebody to oust Barracks lack of experience..
Etc etc etc use your imagination
Not all Muslims are Terrorists. However, all the Terrorists have been Muslim.
Not a fan of the nukes option
December 21, 2006 - 10:27 ET by FastEdNot a fan of the nukes option, but I understand the sentiment.
I'd like to see the ROE changed - if you don't want "insurrgents" point them out and the military will assist them in meeting Allah. If you don't, DUCK! 'cause we're going to bring down some serious wup-ass. 'tis another Christmass wish.
Reid, fire, I got the marshmellows. Pelosi, w/Clinton in drag! There's an image that needs forgetting.
There is no sense in being stupid, if you can't prove it! - my dad
Fast Ed right on
December 21, 2006 - 12:46 ET by Six String SpiffYeah.. I know the nukes thing won't happen, too many inocent people caugh in that.... LOL!! Marshmallows! nice! I don't understand why people don't see right through these fake ass liberals. They are the people who have to cover themselves up, cahnge/"improve" their looks (plastic surgury) These shallaw pieces of TRASH are the last people the public should listen to. F*ck 'em all
Merry gad dang Christmas....
The strategy is simple--if
December 21, 2006 - 10:06 ET by Richard RomanoThe strategy is simple--if the media or Hollywood argue to do the opposite, stay the course. If they suggest a different plan or remedy, then ignore it. You just can't please these elitist fools in the MSM and Hollyweird.
Joe Scarborough...What can
December 21, 2006 - 10:19 ET by troublemakerJoe Scarborough...
What can i say..... oy
http://movies.crooks...
This Country is full of Self hating Bush Bashers
You aren't giving the MSM tal
December 21, 2006 - 10:30 ET by Ruths husband BenYou aren't giving the MSM talking heads enough credit. They have degrees in Broadcasting from some of the most prestigious Jr. Colleges in Vermont. They don't just give those away, you know. You have to attend most of the classes and stuff.
(Obvious) Conclusion: They know more than you!
-Ben
LOL!! And often the most tr
December 22, 2006 - 06:32 ET by Andrew H.LOL!! And often the most truth-like facts in life are the funniest! Good one.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
russert is an unethical journ
December 21, 2006 - 13:45 ET by buddycrussert is an unethical journalist. his son is on the take for big bucks to liberals. russert should take a look at the ethics approved by electronic journalists. when he gets some ethics i might watch him.
What I love about Russert's l
December 21, 2006 - 16:29 ET by GalvanicWhat I love about Russert's lose-lose analysis, is that it only addresses the political fall-out for the President. It doesn't address the winning or losing of the war itself. Just goes to show where Russert's big head is inserted.
Excellent point. That's wh
December 22, 2006 - 07:50 ET by Mark FinkelsteinExcellent point. That's why I gave credit to GMA - they actually addressed the substance of how a surge might or might not improve the situation in Iraq.
Russert in 1944: "Ever
December 22, 2006 - 10:23 ET by GalvanicRussert in 1944: "Everyone is anticipating the Allied invasion of France to launch Election year, but the question now, Mereidth, is "When?" A successful invasion in late spring or early summer would probably ensure that FDR would cake-walk to a renomination at the Democratic Convention. But here's the catch --- if such an invasion were less than successful, or, worse, a Dieppe-like disaster, many agree that it could open the door for a candidate like Henry Wallace.
"Now, let's assume FDR postpones the invasion until after the Convention where he's almost certain to be renominated. If that invasion fails within weeks of the Election, FDR could well find himself out of a job in January. War-weary Republicans and independents might just hand the Presidency to the GOP.
"So, as we see here, FDR's timing on this invasion weighs heavily on his Presidency, his poltical future, and his legacy. Hes got to get it right."