By The Way, Candidates, There's A War On

The Silence About Iraq On The Presidential Campaign Trail Has Been Deafening

(CBS)  Weekly commentary by CBS Evening News chief Washington correspondent and Face the Nation host Bob Schieffer.

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We interrupt American politics to ask this question: Does anyone remember the war in Iraq?

We ask because there hasn't been much to jog your memory on the campaign trail.

The threat of recession has blown Iraq off television and the front pages. In South Carolina, a poll of Democrats showed the economy overwhelmingly outweighed the war as the most important issue.

That's given the candidates a virtual pass on Iraq.

Until John McCain accused Mitt Romney yesterday of favoring a timetable for withdrawing American forces there, a charge Romney vehemently denies, Republicans hardly mentioned the war.

That would force them to mention George Bush and frankly, they'd rather talk about Ronald Reagan.

Nor do Democrats bring it up. The surge of troops the President sent there last year reduced the violence and that raises questions about the Democrats' previous demands for an immediate American drawdown.

Yet, the war goes on. Last week, 38 Iraqis died and hundreds were injured as a massive bomb went off in the town of Mosul. The Iraqi president promised to "do something," neglecting to mention he had been urged to "do something" in Mosul for months BEFORE the bomb went off.

For the record: While the Iraqis have been trying to get their act together, the war has claimed 4,094 American military and civilian lives and left more than 29,000 wounded.

Iraq may be off the front pages, but it is not over. The candidates and the rest of us would do well to remember that.

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E-mail Face the Nation.

[ioweign]

Bob, you fail to point out that Iraq is Bush''s Choice Conflict and that he and his Regime fabricated facts to make this quagmire more marketable for the American public. As for the surge, How are those goals doing - you remember those don''t you. Benchmarks for this new and improved Iraqi government.

[photogeezer]

Bob, as a senior member of the press, I want to see two things from you.

First, cover the damned war AND its cost. Will we see a story on 60 Minutes about an Iraq vet committing suicide when he cannot get treatment for PTSD? Mention also that the Republicans in Congress have repeatly failed to ask for the funding for the very government agency that has the facilities, experience and expertise to treat these young men and women. They shot down a Senate bill, proposed by Jim Webb, whose son is in Iraq, that would have allowed 15 months of stateside duty for every 15 months of overseas service.

Secondly, Bob, examine the role of the press in the windup of this war. You (collectively) did not do the questioning and examination you should have done. You can''t go back and undo that, but you can and should expose the lies, corruption and incompetence that is costing the lives and health of our kids in this unnecessary war. Expose also the history of this administration''s failure to address the cost of this war to those on whose shoulders we have placed this burden.

[tbweb]

Posted by photogeezer at 01:03 PM : Jan 27, 2008,,,

I watched Bob Schieffer''s Sunday program today and in all fairness to Bob he only has 30 minutes for his show and when you add Commercials its actually less time than that. I thought the interview with Hillary Clinton was well done and like HardBall with Chris Matthews Bob asks the tough questions, surprisingly tough. Bob wants real answers and he seeks them out for his viewers. I also thought Bob was very clear about mentioning how the Iraq War may be off the front pages but still relevant since the War was still going on and should be a part of the political debate among Presidential Candidates. Rudy Giuliani talked about not rehiring retiring Federal Employees coming up for retirement to save money which is stupid! Many Federal Employees are walking out the door with 25 to 30 years of corporate knowledge thats almost impossible to replace and are a bargain if you can keep them, Rudy is dead wrong on that issue!

[yelwar]

On this issue Bob seems caught up in the same %u2018horserace handicapping%u2019 as all the other media outlets (CBS News included). All questions to BOTH Rudy Giuliani and Hillary Clinton in this mornings interviews were about what other people and media were saying and positioning.

I agree that the War in Iraq is a high level issue. Why did he not ask a single question about the War in Iraq (or any other ISSUE) of either candidate, before his final %u2018comment%u2019 on the lack of discussion about the War?

PLEASE JUST STOP THE HANDICAPPING AND GO BACK TO ASKING ABOUT ISSUES!!! This election isn%u2019t an American Idol popularity contest%u2026nor is it a horse or any other kind of RACE.

Bob Schieffer usually reflects a conscientious approach to the news and questions he asks. That is why I watch and rely on him SO regularly%u2026

[ubrew12]

Democrats as well as Republicans actually want the war to go well, and end with the pacification of any anti-Iraq-government elements in that country. News to the contrary actually depresses BOTH Democrats AND Republicans, because both share a weight of guilt for ''letting it happen'': Republicans for cheering our out-of-control President while he involved us in a Vietnam-sized debacle, Democrats for holding their tongues for fear of appearing ''soft-on-terrorism'' over an event they KNEW was a Vietnam-sized-debacle in the making.

I spoke out over Iraq and, to this day, I believe I lost my job at a major defense contractor over my speaking out. Republicans were playing no-holds-barred wrestling after 9-11 and they weren''t taking any prisoners. I became marginalized, and later left cuz I wasn''t being given any actual work to do.

It doesn''t matter. We''re in Iraq, and the right thing is for us to stay until it can be made whole again. We owe them, and our own soldiers, that much at least. And THAT is why the subject of Iraq is such a tender one for most Americans today... Dem or Republican.

While I HATE GW BUSH: the surge is working, Iraq looks to finally be getting its act together. Lets give this some time and leave a peaceful nation. YES, it''ll give neocons something to crow about for decades to come, but in case you haven''t noticed, the WAR the last 6 years has been on the American middle-class. THAT WAR WILL NOT BE WON BY THE NEOCONS.

No way, No how!!

[feelfree1]

This latest effort appears to be aimed instead at providing another excuse to maim, torture, and maim more Iraqis, and to string out this debacle as soon as possible.

The Bush regime has already managed to martyr more U.S. soldiers than they did the entire month of December, and they still have a few days to go.

I hope that this commentary means that Mr. Schieffer will begin to challenge the heinous and illegitimate Bush regime on this issue, and to help the rest of us to get those responsible in front of a war crimes tribunal.

[feelfree1]

Re: "We interrupt American politics to ask this question: Does anyone remember the war in Iraq?"

Check out Mr. Schieffer, trying to stand up on his hind legs. Atta'' boy, Bob.

I just heard an announcement on NPR, that the Pentagon is preparing a fresh assault on "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq", which will include tanks.

This brought a few things to mind. First off, if we are back to fighting the "enemy" with tanks, when the "enemy" has none, this looks like another desperate act from our military leaders.

Secondly, why do our military leaders announce an offensive against the "enemy", ahead of time, broadcasting when and where it will take place? Can you imagine if a robber called ahead, and announced their visit ahead of time?

Are our military commanders really this incompetent? I don''t think so. Sure, they were foolish enough to announce that "al-Qaeda-in-Iraq" was "defeated", just a few months ago, and now we suddenly need tanks to fight them again, but I think that this has far more to do with deception than incompetence.

The fact is, there is no credible reason to believe that "al Qaeda" is, or ever was, "in-Iraq". In all likelihood, it is the people of Iraq that we have been fighting, and always has been.

[mcvet]

I love how the Republican Canidates SAY they will protect this country and they don''t want to talk about 6 long years and a Trillion Dollars and the guy who attacked this nation is in a safe haven where the LOSER they want to replace has been bogging us down in Iraq. ANYONE who says that Saddam was a bigger threat than the guy who CARRIED out the attack AND those who protected him is completely out of their minds. Talk about a BLUNDER!! THAT was a biggie and I want to KNOW for sure that the NEXT person who sits in that chair will NOT spend that kind of time and money in a Country that DID NOT attack us and that WAS no threat to us. Talking about how and when to get out, to me, is NOT important!! AT ALL!! Sieg Heil Bush!!

[feelfree1]

Correction

Should be: "This latest effort appears to be aimed instead at providing another excuse to maim, torture, and [kill] more Iraqis, and to string out this debacle as soon as possible."

Obviously, the people of Iraq have every right to try to defend themselves against the horrific, fraud-based, and illegal invasion of their country.

[feelfree1]

Sorry, one more try.

Correction-

Should be: "This latest effort appears to be aimed instead at providing another excuse to maim, torture, and [kill] more Iraqis, and to string out this debacle [for as long] as possible."

Obviously, the people of Iraq have every right to try to defend themselves against the horrific, fraud-based, and illegal invasion of their country.

[xtrabiggg]

HellO? Ever hear of RON PAUL? You know, the legitimate candidate who is the ONLY one left that talks about the war at EVERY CAMPAIGN STOP? You know, the one you refuse to even acknowledge, to the point of not even including him in discussions, online and on-air profiles... Right, Katie Couric?

It is disingenuous and hypocritical to say on the one hand that there is not enough debate on the War in Iraq, while at the same time continuing to deliberately ignore the one candidate who is opposed to the war (and has been from the beginning)!

Oh yeah, ''Fringe'', Kooky''... How about sound fiscally, consistently conservative both rhetorically AND record-wise, and able to not only grasp the overall social, economic and political repurcussions of the Iraq war, but able to tie it together with an overall sensible foreign and domestic policy that will dig the country out of this mess.

But I forgot... CBS and other media outlets only want to hear Policy ideas from those candidates backed by their major advertisers and shareholders. Ron Paul can only be covered in disparaging and dismissive terms, as his policies might just negatively impact the bottom line of the wealthy owners and advertisers for CBS!

Hypocritical and sad how the only opinions and ideas allowed are those that make money for the network. Edward R. Murrow must be spinning in his grave!

xtrabiggg
+

[bittentoo]

For 4+ years the War in Iraq has distracted this
administration from other issues...the economy being
one. News coverage (until recently) has been nonstop about the war without much regard for the state of our country. As much as I am still aware that we have a mission in Iraq, we have a country that needs attention as well, Bob. It''s good to finally domestic issues as a news story.

[bittentoo]

For 4+ years the War in Iraq has distracted this
administration from other issues...the economy being
one. News coverage (until recently) has been nonstop about the war without much regard for the state of our country. As much as I am still aware that we have a mission in Iraq, we have a country that needs attention as well, Bob. It''s good to finally domestic issues as a news story.

[bittentoo]

For 4+ years the War in Iraq has distracted this
administration from other issues...the economy being
one. News coverage (until recently) has been nonstop about the war without much regard for the state of our country. As much as I am still aware that we have a mission in Iraq, we have a country that needs attention as well, Bob. It''s good to finally domestic issues as a news story.

[hm1342]

As I recall the media has not been reporting much unless something bad happens. Why should you hold the politicians responsible for reminding us about the war if you fail to do so?
You could of course conduct interviews with returning vets and spouses of vets who are still deployed overseas. That would keep the war in the spotlight with both human interest and human tragedy stories. But this is not Viet Nam when we had a draft and most everyone was subject to it (except of course Bush, Cheney, Clinton, et al.) and there were plenty of protests and body counts on a weekly basis. It is however like Viet Nam in that the administration takes the "guns and butter" approach.
Ironically the one politician who "gets it" about the war yet doesn''t get mentioned much is Ron Paul. Even when you had him on your program you didn''t seem too interested in all the ramifications of his foreign policy beliefs (which included Iraq). He said early on that going into Iraq was a mistake and that the economy would suffer under all the spending but did anyone listen? Now at the latest Republican debate the economy is the hot topic - one of the main reasons is the out-of-control spending. How convenient that the rest of the Republican field is now starting to acknowledge it.
So the media is 2-for-2: they blame politicians for their own shortcomings vis-a-vis lack of reporting about Iraq and not listening to Ron Paul more closely.

[idlepugilist]

oh my, the gag reflex is starting to work again with all the whining about Ron Paul. Really, did Ron Paul say going into Iraq wasn''t a good idea? Gee, what a novelty, surely he was the only one (in his household) to suggest that. I''ll bet Ron Paul also thought pursuing Osama was a better idea than Saddam, the man''s gotta be a genius.

[hm1342]

Well, Idle, if you got your foot out of mouth you might not be so prone to gagging...

[kesac4650]

78% of the US Senate voted to authorize the War in Iraq, in strict accord with the US Constitution.
The same Democrats who hollered "more troops" are the very same ones who attempted to block "more troops" when the surge was first suggested.
Hillary doesn''t want to talk about that.
Barack, just wants to surrender to anyone. He doesn''t care who.

[cdfoxtrot]

The same Democrats who hollered "more troops" are the very same ones who attempted to block "more troops" when the surge was first suggested.
Hillary doesn''''t want to talk about that.
Barack, just wants to surrender to anyone. He doesn''''t care who.

Posted by kesac4650

The vote in favor of the war took place in 2002. And only the Bush Admin. and its backers were "hollering" for war. The Dems. rightly recognized what a disaster it was, SEVERAL YEARS LATER, and that''s when they pushed for a withdrawal. Obama was right all along, and opposed the war before it even started. He deserves credit for that. Only the most rabid Repiglican could fail to recognize that.

A withdrawal will happen - just a matter of when. You can call it "surrender" all you want, but it will happen. And I''d like to know what you consider to be "victory" at this point. The "surge" is not a success -- don''t be fooled by the idiotic rantings from the Pentagon.

[tbweb]

Why Obama Won?

Two U.S. soldiers were killed in separate bombings in Baghdad, the military said Sunday.

Many Americans know Senator Barack Obama will end the Iraq War!

3,934 U.S. Military Dead in Iraq as of today.

This may have a little to do with it.

Sen. Obama always makes the point the Iraq War should never have been authorized, no matter how well its going, the Senator claims the U.S. should never have went there in the first place.

[knyghtwolf]

Picture your left hand as Republican and your right hand as Democrat, what is the difference? None, both do the same thing, the same function, co-ordinate both hands to do the same work. Imagine you break your left hand, now the right has to do the work and/or pick up the slack for the left, whether you like it or not, thats how it works, now imagine BOTH hands are broken and pretty much useless, now what are you going to do, especially if you find out that neither of your hands are ever going to be as good as they once were? Over time, this is a function our government once had; it was considered "helping hands" to do the will of the people that controlled it. Now those hands are BOTH smashed and broken beyond help or repair, what are you going to do? You get new ones.

[cbs_oliver]

"The surge of troops the President sent there last year reduced the violence...."

Say what?

Actually, the surge increased violence so far as I can tell. The "surge" was, after all, a surge troops and in military violence.

I have read reports somewhere that the expenditure of US ordinance has greatly increased during the surge.

There may have been a reduction in attacks by Iraqis against other regular Iraqis but there may have been a significant increase in attacks by Iraqis against Iraqi leaders.

More analysis could be done, but subtle analysis is pointless, since the US government reports of US and Iraqi violence are laughably false and useless.

I continue to be disappointed that Bob who is in a position to know a great deal about the mechanisms and details of how the news on Iraq is managed does not do his job as an American and God fearing Christian and start talking straight on the matter.

[cbs_oliver]

The logic of the surge was pretty much along the lines of "if we kill them all then we can be satisfied that there is nothing so quiet as a well tended graveyard."

[mcv57]

I beg to differ, their is no war. Unprovoked assault maybe, but no war. White House regime profiteering venture perhaps, but certainly no war. Get your head out of the Bushwacker rear, Bob.

[cbs_oliver]

Well, at least he brought the topic up.

Let''s also talk about all the women and children and others held as hostages by the US, the Iraqi government, and the insurgents.

Our behaviors say alot about our true beliefs and values.

[brianbwb-2009]

No one on either side mentions it because they all are salivating at the prospect of the bribery and corruption money they think they stand to make.

The only thing they could say truthfully is that the war was started by Bush''s lies, it should be stopped immediately, and the Bush klan should be held responsible.

They won''t, because if they are not already profiting, they look forward to.

[frankson2]

I WISH THE POLS AND MEDIA WOULD QUIT REFERRING TO THIS "WAR." IT IS NOT A WAR. WARS ARE FOUGHT BETWEEN NATIONS. WE CAN CONTINUE TO DELUDE OURSELVES, BUT NO ONE, NO GROUP, NO NATION IS GOING TO SURRENDER. AS LONG AS WE THINK THAT "BOOTS ON THE GROUND" IS THE ANSWER TO WHAT BUSH STARTED, IT WILL NEVER END.

[godseyesore-2009]

Schieffer is the only rational and trustworthy correspondent & commentator left to us.

[cantshutup]

RON PAUL has talked about the war...why won''t mainstream media admit this??? He also chastized the GOP candidates for not being true Republicans...they are so far off the mark they''re like bad democrats...tax and spend tax and spend, from republicans???

[hillaryin08]

Sen. Kennedy Set To Endorse Obama

Liberals turning on other Liberals. Is this the same code as Ape shall not kill Ape from Beneath the Planet of the Apes? Come on Libs, your Masiah Kennedy cant even get behind Clinton, why should we?

[crusherking]

The reason is that none of these candidates(Especially Clinton) posess the courage to make a firm stand on anything. Its not about whats right or wrong, its about telling the people what they want to hear. A soundbite is much more revered than an actual stance. Don''t know when you Dems will wake up and see that you are being led just like sheep. Don''t worry, Repubs are not much better.

[crusherking]

IOWEIGN wrote"As for the surge, How are those goals doing - you remember those don''''t you. Benchmarks for this new and improved Iraqi government."

Going quite well thank you. Seems violence is WAY down. Order is somewhat restored. Of course there are suicide bombers still but, Yes, The surge did work. You are also quite wrong on the assertion that this was a fabrication by the Bush Administration. They took intel from many sources(including those outside the US intel collecting realm, so I don''t see how Bush fabricated those) and presented those reports. Its nice to bash but at least have an iota of facts or education on the subject.

[deemsnyd]

HellO? Ever hear of RON PAUL? You know, the legitimate candidate who is the ONLY one left that talks about the war at EVERY CAMPAIGN STOP? You know, the one you refuse to even acknowledge, to the point of not even including him in discussions, online and on-air profiles... Right, Katie Couric?

Posted by xtrabiggg at 04:52 PM : Jan 27, 2008


I have said from the start that it is in the best interest of both parties to try to discredit and ignore Ron Paul, they, along with the help of the media, have done just that. Neither party is truly for the people and they can''t have us find out about the one person who is, now can they?

[deemsnyd]

If a libertarian is ever elected and actually digs us out of this mess, then the democrats and republicans will fall by the way side and they know it. Of course it''s in their best interest to hope and pray that we don''t take notice of Ron Paul who, in keeping on topic, repeatedly discusses the iraq war!

[random_radar]

There is no war in Iraq. We won the war years ago. We are occupying Iraq indefinitely. Wars have a beginning and an end, occupations don''t.

We took over Iraq fair and square and its the property of the American government now. Occupying a country makes some of the tenants mad, and you have to keep control by force.

So get over it. There is no war in Iraq. Its just a landlord-tenant dispute.

[carol131-2009]

Five American soldiers were killed today.

That America''s finest are still being killed should be on the mind of all Americans.

[hillaryin08]

whats the matter bob, things not going your way?

[afsc30574]

random_radar,

You are exactly right: I went to Germany for the USAF in 1988. There was a terrorist attack against Ramstein AB the year before, 42 years after the war ended! These things take time and committment.

[cbs_oliver]

I didn''t realize that BOb Schieffer was forshadowing the President''s speach.

***.

I guess Bob isn''t exactly an objective reporter.

Too bad.

[random_radar]

afsc30574,

The United States has been occupying Europe for 62 years. After all, you can tell who occupies and who is occupied by whose troops are in the country. Europe is a vassalage of America whether they like to admit it or not.

China has become a satellite of the American Empire. You can deduce this by observing that they accept worthless dollars in exchange for their goods. They hold $1 trillion in IOUs that they can never collect. You don''t accept junk currency unless you are beholden to the nation offering it.

Russia is a pawn of the United States. And they came cheap--just a few tens of billions in aid to prop up their economy. The Russians make diplomatic noises, but they are awfully muted. They don''t want to bite the hand that feeds them.

The United States rules the world. The British Empire, the Roman Empire, the Mongol Empire all pale in comparison to the dominion of the first true world empire. But who rules the United States? Not the people. Those who have the gold rule here and everywhere.

[rowdytexan2]

But BOB!!!! The surge is ''NO DOUBT'' working. Any day now we are going to see the troops come home, and all the security contractors in Iraq will be sent home!!!

Isn''t that what Dubya is saying tonite????

[donevis-2009]

People please take a moment and think about all thats going on. Women, children, men, fathers, brothers, sisters, mothers, being shot down in front of each other. Being gunned down by "Black Water" thugs with American pay checks in their pockets!! Soldiers that don''t know when they''re coming home because the tours keep being extended. Mothers, Fathers, who promise their children they will be able to hug each other in three weeks, then "oh gosh" orders to stay another 3 MONTHS.
These are the situations that are hidden from us and none of the candidates are going into any depth to address it in their speeches. Ever wonder why we don''t get live reports from the battle areas? Why we don''t have footage of "In Iraq situation"? We had plenty in the Viet Nam era. I guess we''re too weak have these situations in our face at dinner time. Bob is just trying to say "WAKE UP" and demand that the War be addressed.

[dgwooster]

State of the Union address is over. Guess what. Apparently, "We need to be more patient."

[walker224-2009]

As an HR manager I have had the opportunity to work with many soilders who have served in Iraq. Ironically, they have all said that we need to stay there(in Iraq) to prevent terror here in America. Maybe you might want to interview soilders who have actually put their life on the line to protect all of our families before you decide rather the war is right for you. This war is not senseless, it is in honor of the lives of the thousands of daughters,sons,mothers,fathers,husbands,wives,friens, and grndparents that were killed on 911 by these maniacs. All I am trying to say is ask those individuals who are over there going to battle for you and I and our families so that we do not have to endure the acts of violence and brutality that they see on a daily basis. Why aren''t there more interviews with soilders who served in Iraq? It is the biggest issue. Right? Why not ask someone who was ACTUALLY there?

[merge98fm]

Of course the soldiers are going to say we need to stay there. Saying otherwise would probably get them discharged because they probably know we are on a mission of pure evil in Iraq. That evil is American imperialism. Our soldiers are being brainwashed by their commanders and until they have the courage to snap out of it, we may as well be interviewing the President himself when we interview these troops.

[walker224-2009]

What do you consider pure evil? My sister was killed in the WTC attack, and that is what I consider pure evil. What would you have done if you would have been president at the time of that attacks on 911?

[sharncedar]

"My sister was killed in the WTC attack, and that is what I consider pure evil."

The people in WTC, it turns out, not all of their hands were clean. Many of them were ruthless financial traders. Sometimes, when the ruthless financial traders are done with a company or an industry, the human wreckage that have lost their jobs and their livelihoods and their self-respect go crazy and kill their whole families or themselves. what do the people in the financial industry say about that? It''s not my fault, they say. I didn''t do anything, I just pursued my profits, my career, without regard for anyone or anything but myself.

There was evidence of Enron in the WTC, the employees of certain companies looked the other way. They didn''t want to stick their necks out for some dumb Americans. They didn''t want to jeopardize their careers, or their fancy lifestyles, or their big plans of being rich and powerful. Then, out of the sky, came death. And maybe in the last moments, just a few of them looked back, and realized they could have done more. They could have stood up for this country, for the "little people" that they were hurting every day. The people in the Midwest losing their jobs as the smug New Yorkers laughed and caroused, partying at night, trading and politicking all day.

I don''t know about this guy''s sister. But there are many forms of evil, and the New York financial community is most of them.

[cbs_oliver]

What do you consider pure evil? My sister was killed in the WTC attack, and that is what I consider pure evil. What would you have done if you would have been president at the time of that attacks on 911?

Posted by Walker224 at 11:37 PM : Jan 28, 2008

First: Evil cannot be perfected - there is only one God.

Second: The right thing to do after 911 was to hunt down and capture or kill Osama bin Laden.

Third: Manipulating the sorrow and anger of grieving people and beguiling them into conquest and killing for your own benefit is vile. Maybe even more vile than 911.

[cbs_oliver]

Osama bin Laden and George Bush have followed very similar paths in beguiling and using other people to carry out violence while they themselves pose as judges.

[cbs_oliver]

Some folks would do well to say sorry to all God''s children who have been needlessly killed or otherwise had their lives destroyed and all who have lost their souls to needless violence on their account.