Third Way Dispatch

Thomas Lowell Tucker went to Madras High School. How do I know that? Because Madras, Oregon only has one high school – it’s a town of 5,000 people. That’s also how I know the war in Iraq just became personal for everyone in Madras.

Private First Class Tucker and Private First Class Kristian Mechaca of Houston were manning a checkpoint about 12 miles south of Baghdad when they came under attack on Friday. A fellow soldier was killed in the attack, and Tucker and Mechaca disappeared.

US military authorities said they sent 8,000 US and Iraqi troops, fighter jets, helicopters, UAVs, boats, and dive teams to find the missing soldiers. But it was a tip from Iraqi civilians that actually led searchers to the bodies yesterday, which had been “desecrated” and booby-trapped.

In other Iraq news of the past day, a suicide bomber blew himself up this morning inside a Basra senior citizens home, and car bombs went off all over Baghdad. Police found six bodies bearing signs of torture and gunshot wounds to the head. A local councilman was wounded in a drive-by shooting. A US attack near Baquba killed 13 people, including children and old people. Three US soldiers from the 101st Airborne were charged with abusing detainees. And, just to sweeten the day, Japan announced it would withdraw its troops from Iraq.

Oh, and Vice President Cheney gave a speech, claiming that we’ve “turned the corner in Iraq.” President Bush reminded the party faithful at a fundraiser “of the consequences if those who want to withdraw from Iraq happen to prevail in the debate…it would be a defeat…it would embolden the terrorists…[it] sends chills throughout the spines of Iraqi citizens, who are wondering whether or not the United States has the capacity to keep its word.”

So, this is the same President who still hasn’t figured out that a friendly populace is more valuable than a UAV in a counter-insurgency campaign, and that the terrorists already look pretty bold. By now, most people in Iraq probably have chilled spines, given that they actually have to live there. They’re probably really wondering whether or not the United States has any clue what it’s doing.

Based on the fact that Cheney continues to live in an alternate universe and Bush still plays Iraq for political advantage, I would say no – this Administration has no clue. It’s all duck the issues and spin the facts – duck and spin, while Baghdad burns.

Enter Senator Carl Levin and Senator Jack Reed, who, along with Senators Feinstein and Salazar, just introduced a new amendment, one that demands change. The resolution calls on the President to demonstrate American intent: there will be no permanent US presence in Iraq, as proven by a “phased redeployment” of troops. This proposal is very similar to what Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has, in fact, already called for.

The Senators also acknowledge that important US interests are at stake in the region by calling for a timetable set by strategic success, not arbitrary deadlines.

The resolution goes a step further to lay out what should be the other priorities for American policy at this point: Iraqi political independence, international cooperation, and reconstruction. Third Way issued a press release strongly supporting the Levin-Reed Amendment.

On the ever-predictable Fox News, Senator Mitch McConnell practically drooled when he labeled the Levin-Reed proposal “cut and jog.” Nice sound bite, but that gets us where? I guess when you’re angling to be Lapdog Leader, err, Majority Leader, bashing the opposition is a lot easier than fixing a failed policy. Duck and spin, Mitch, duck and spin.

The men and women who serve in our military deserve better. Our government makes a solemn promise to them to make wise decisions about how and when to use force, and then to provide the equipment and strategy they need to execute the mission. In return, our armed forces put their lives on the line for all Americans.

PFC Tucker left a message for his mother last week, days before he disappeared. He told her to be proud of him – “I’m defending my country,” he said. Our troops are holding up their end of the bargain – when will our leaders be able to say the same?