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Friday, February 02, 2007

# Posted 6:27 AM by Taylor Owen  

THE YES MAN: Dana Milbank reports Kissinger's new strategy for congressional hearings:
Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), the chairman, pitched his plan for an Iraq split into autonomous regions. "I'm sympathetic to an outcome that permits large regional autonomy," Kissinger concurred.

Sen. Richard Lugar (Ind.), the ranking Republican, asserted that "we cannot be in a situation in which we say 'We're out of there,' " Lugar pointed out.

"I believe very strongly that we cannot withdraw from the region," Kissinger agreed.

Sen. Russ Feingold (D-Wis.) tried to pull the witness in his direction. "I certainly agree with you that we cannot disengage from the region -- but what about redeployment from Iraq?" he asked.

"Of course significant American forces can be withdrawn," Kissinger obliged.

Sen. Norm Coleman (R-Minn.) tugged Kissinger the other way. "Is it your belief that a precipitous withdrawal . . . would have a greater negative long-term impact?"

"That is my conviction," Kissinger said.

"Would you agree," Sen. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.) asked, that "every alternative carries with it some rather grave risks?"

"Absolutely," Kissinger complied.

Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) said he hoped Bush's troop buildup would allow for reconciliation and diplomacy. "Am I wrong?"

"The objectives you've stated are compatible with what the president is attempting to do," Kissinger assured him. (emph mine)
Surely the grave Senators saw through this kill-them-with-kindness approach?:
The secretary's agreeability had a calming effect. "I think what I'm seeing here is someone testifying and almost everyone on this committee agreeing," observed Sen. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.). "It's an interesting thing to watch." (emph mine)
Indeed.
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Comments:
From the current Google Quote of the Day:

The nice thing about being a celebrity is that when you bore people, they think it's their fault.
- Henry Kissinger
 
Do you think we should bomb the hell out of them? Kissinger assented.

Cup of tea, dear? Kissinger accepted.

One sugar or two? A dilemma, opined Kissinger.
 
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