Forcing Patraeus hand: Rather than trying to take his position apart,

ask what it would take to keep his operation going beyond the 6 months he wants.

Patraeus just wants to keep the surge going until their 15 month tour is finished. But ending the surge then is as arbitrary as ending it now. If the surge is needed now, what if its needed then? What has the military done to prepare for that situation?

I think that this position blows Bush*, Patraeus and the Pentagon out of the water. They have nothing in the works to continue the surge into 2008. I think that this shows that the whole thing was just a show to buy Bush* his 15 months and get by the Democrats in Congress and public opinion.

Senators should push Patraeus on the draft. Watch him tap dance then. I doubt he has any evidence that suggests that magically next Spring the surge won't be needed.

That's my two cents.

:kick:

It is clear that Junior and his friends want to keep this going forever. Good way to call their hand on it. Might help to chronologically review the 'give this thing a chance' arguments we've heard from them up till now.