Reid’s words of infamy

This week the GOP is jumping all over Sen. Harry Reid's campaign for trying to shave the truth of Reid's 2007 comment "This war is lost." You can read the GOP spin below. But before you do, I urge you to re-read my column on the topic last July 4.

I think it was one of the worst things Sen. Reid has ever said. It is absolutely impossible to put it into the gaffe category. This appeared to be a calculated statement for political gain at the expense of American soldiers on the battlefield. Seems to me Sen. Reid should be saying he's sorry instead of having his minions trying to recreate history. But read it for yourself and make your own mind up. The column concludes:

"In 2007, Sen. Reid opposed the Iraq 'surge' and questioned publicly the integrity of Bush's general -- David Petraeus.

"In 2010, Reid supports the Afghanistan 'surge' and gushes public praise for Obama's general -- David Petraeus.

"Sen. Reid owes the country an explanation. He can start with Nevadans, who must decide in November whether he's fit to send back to Washington. But in the end, he must stand accountable to the soldiers who won his "lost" war."

THREE YEARS LATER: SENATOR HARRY REID TRIES TO FIX HIS EXTREME BELIEFS ON IRAQ FOR THE NOVEMBER ELECTION

A False Assertion On Senator Harry Reid’s Iraq Position

August 7, 2010

SENATOR HARRY REID’S CAMPAIGN: “‘Senator Reid's comment was in agreement with General Petraeus’ assessment that the Iraq war could not be won by military force alone and that a political solution was also needed as part of a two-part strategy – which President Bush refused to pursue,’ said Zac Petkanas, deputy communications director for the Friends of Harry Reid.” (Ray Hager, “Gen. Clark Praises Harry Reid, Defends Reid's 'War Is Lost' Comment,” Reno Gazette-Journal, 08/07/10)

Flashback: Senator Harry Reid In His Own Words

APRIL 19, 2007

SENATOR HARRY REID: “Now, I believe myself that the secretary of State, the secretary of Defense -- and you have to make your own decision as to what the president knows -- that this war is lost and that the surge is not accomplishing anything, as indicated by the extreme violence in Iraq yesterday.” (U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, Press Conference, 04/19/07)

APRIL 20, 2007

THE NEW YORK POST: “Reid spokesman Jim Manley said the lawmaker stood by his comments, then added a qualification: ‘As long as we follow the president's path in Iraq, the war is lost. But there is a chance to change the course.’” (Geoff Earle, ‘War is Lost – Reid To America: We Can’t Win, The New York Post, 04/20/07)

APRIL 23, 2007

SENATOR HARRY REID: Q: “…General Petraeus is going to come to the Hill and make it clear to you that there is progress going on in Iraq, that the so-called surge is working. Will you believe him when he says that?” SEN. HARRY REID (D-NV): “No, I don't believe him, because it's not happening. All you have to do is look at the facts.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 4/23/07)

JUNE 14, 2007

SENATOR HARRY REID: “So I'm waiting to see if General Petraeus can be a little more candid with this. … [F]or someone, whether it's General Petraeus or anyone else, to say things are great in Baghdad isn't in touch with what's going on in Baghdad, even though he's there and I'm not.” (Sen. Harry Reid, Press Conference, 6/14/07)

SENATOR HARRY REID: “Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid called Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the outgoing chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ‘incompetent’ during an interview Tuesday with a group of liberal bloggers, a comment that was never reported. Reid made similar disparaging remarks about Army Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, said several sources familiar with the interview. (John Bresnahan, “Reid Labels Military Leader 'Incompetent',” Politico, 06/14/07)

SEPTEMBER 7, 2007

CNN’S DANA BASH: “The Senate's top Democrat got personal. He questioned Petraeus' credibility.” (CNN’s “The Situation Room,” 9/7/07)

SENATOR HARRY REID: “He's made a number of statements over the years that have not proven to be factual. I have every belief that this good man, General Petraeus, will give us what he feels is the right thing to do in this report -- that is now not his report, it's President Bush's report.” (Sen. Reid, Press Briefing, 9/7/07)

SEPTEMBER 12, 2007

SENATOR HARRY REID: “Harry Reid said the recommendation by Gen. David Petraeus, expected to be embraced by President Bush in a speech to the nation on Thursday, ‘Is neither a drawdown or a change in mission that we need. His plan is just more of the same.’” (Anne Flaherty, “Reid: Iraq Drawdown Plan Unacceptable,” The Associated Press, 09/12/07)