Condi v. Warner on Iraq– “Making Progress” or Taking “Steps Backwards”

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This week Condoleeza Rice insisted that Iraq is “making progress”? Even as she arrived in Baghdad amidst mortar fire and met with President Jalal Talabani in the dark, due to electricity outages throughout the city, she emphasized that the country is on course.

But a course toward what? Senator John Warner (R-Va.), who too sojourned recently to Iraq, says the country has taken “steps backwards,” referring to the “steady increase in the level of violence” and the “‘unacceptable level’ of killings and ‘heavy casualties’ among U.S. forces there.” He concluded that the administration may need to abandon its exhausted “stay the course” messaging.

Condi may be feeling the heat. Revelations from Bob Woodward’s newest book show that the National Security Adviser was briefed on July 10, 2001 by the CIA about potential domestic threats, and promptly ignored them. Also according to the ubiquitous Woodward, even Big Daddy Bush, who employed Rice on his National Security Council, says she has been a “big disappointment” and is “not up for the job.” Maybe he should have passed these choice words onto junior.