# Senator Boehner’s “prebuttal” speech. **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185 "2010-08-31T21:41:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/1 "2010-08-31T21:41:17Z")
> [@](#): > > “Some leaders who opposed, criticized, and fought tooth-and-nail to stop the surge strategy now proudly claim credit for the results,” Who has done this? Is he actually expecting President Obama to flick on the microphone and claim victory in Iraq as a result of his own deft leadership? > [@](#): > > “One lawmaker rejected the idea that the surge would reduce violence in Iraq, saying – and again I’m quoting – ‘in fact, I think it will do the reverse.’” And so what if he _did_ think that and was wrong? I find it telling that Mr. Boehner preemptively accuses President Obama of politicizing the withdrawal of combat troops, as in keeping one of his campaign promises, in a highly publicized, extraordinarily partisan speech. Who is politicizing what here? I don’t have access to the text of President Obama’s announcement yet. But I will be quite surprised if any political party is mentioned, or if he even stoops to reminding us all who got us into the ill-conceived war in the first place. I’d be surprised also if he even mentions the financial cost of this conflict (in answer to “Stimulus spending sprees, permanent bailouts, federal mandates and government takeovers”). I’m troubled. Not because there are people so desperate to get their way that they would waste no opportunity to undermine their own legitemately appointed leader–hell, that’s just business–but because there are so many people willing to listen to this rhetoric and think of the US as two nations occupying one chunk of land. Boehner’s cynicism in preying on the doubts of his consituents pales in comparison to the real damage he and his ilk do by further dividing this nation. And to think that he undermined the commander in chief in front of our own troops and didn’t at least garner a “Boo!” is beyond disgusting. ---
**Author:** ![Merijeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@Merijeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merijeek)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/2 "2010-08-31T21:43:02Z")
I don’t know if you’re aware of this, but a Democrat is making the speech. It must therefore be attacked without reason, exception, or thought. It looks like the GOPers learned their lesson, and instead of having their token brown guy give the speech they’re having Captain Pumpkin do it. -Joe ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/3 "2010-08-31T21:49:37Z")
I know it’s more “Us v. Them” and there’s really nothing new or fresh to be found here. But beyond the party division I’m irked that rather than admit defeat and go away quietly there are elements that will knowingly draw others to what they know to be a lost cause. Fukkin quit already and leave people to unite under a decent leader. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/4 "2010-08-31T21:55:21Z")
I think he said that because Robert Gibbs strongly hinted that the President won’t credit the surge in Iraq as part of the victory there. [link](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Previewing-Obama-Iraq-speech-Gibbs-wont-credit-surge-101835608.html). Perhaps Boehner is trying to put pressure on Obama to add credit to Bush and the surge to his speech. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/5 "2010-08-31T21:57:24Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I think he said that because Robert Gibbs strongly hinted that the President won’t credit the surge in Iraq as part of the victory there. > > [link](http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/Previewing-Obama-Iraq-speech-Gibbs-wont-credit-surge-101835608.html). > > Perhaps Boehner is trying to put pressure on Obama to add credit to Bush and the surge to his speech. If you set fire to my house and kill my kids you don’t get credit for calling the fire department and saving my cat. It’s the least you could fucking do. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/6 "2010-08-31T22:44:38Z")
The decrease in violence in Iraq has less to do with the surge, and more with the Sunni Awakening, which was nothing short of buying off the insurgents will billions of US dollars. What we could not accomplish with guns was finally achieved the old fashioned way; we opened our wallets. ---
**Author:** ![Sam\_Stone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Sam\_Stone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sam_Stone)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/7 "2010-08-31T22:48:51Z")
I’m not going to argue the surge. I was merely pointing out the possible strategy. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/8 "2010-08-31T23:16:20Z")
At least there’s no dissembling any longer; they don’t mind acknowledging in advance that there is nothing Obama can ever say or do that’s the right choice. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/9 "2010-08-31T23:20:02Z")
Did Mr. Boehner mention when we Americans will be seeing our ‘victory dividends’? For an adventure that cost most of a trillion dollars, and killed more Americans than Osama bin Laden ever did, I’d like to see some sort of monetary or economic gain come out of Iraq for us ordinary Americans. It’s a lie to call it a win if it makes us all either dead, or poorer, no matter what Republicans say. ---
**Author:** ![treis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/bc79bd/32.png) [@treis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/treis)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2010, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/10 "2010-08-31T23:20:35Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > I think he said that because Robert Gibbs strongly hinted that the President won’t credit the surge in Iraq as part of the victory there. Is Obama really going to try and claim victory in Iraq? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/11 "2010-09-01T00:38:03Z")
> [@treis](#): > > > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > > > I think he said that because Robert Gibbs strongly hinted that the President won’t credit the surge in Iraq as part of the victory there. > > Is Obama really going to try and claim victory in Iraq? No, he’s going to say that military operations are finished. It’s not the same thing. However, Hussein’s troops were defeated and the control of the government has been turned over to the local provisional arrangement, so a victory of sorts has been achieved. We’re out, which is certainly a victory for the American people, since we shouldn’t have been there in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/12 "2010-09-01T00:51:19Z")
> [@Squink](#): > > Did Mr. Boehner mention when we Americans will be seeing our ‘victory dividends’? > For an adventure that cost most of a trillion dollars, and killed more Americans than Osama bin Laden ever did, I’d like to see some sort of monetary or economic gain come out of Iraq for us ordinary Americans. It’s a lie to call it a win if it makes us all either dead, or poorer, no matter what Republicans say. Hey, Saddam never used those WMDs on us, so quit yer kvetching. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/13 "2010-09-01T03:18:47Z")
> [@treis](#): > > > [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > > > I think he said that because Robert Gibbs strongly hinted that the President won’t credit the surge in Iraq as part of the victory there. > > Is Obama really going to try and claim victory in Iraq? Well, it’s that or peace with honor. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/14 "2010-09-01T04:00:35Z")
An impossible situation. He has to thank and praise the troops, has to, no question. What’s he gonna say, the truth? “Sorry about what was done to you, it totally sucked and I tried to stop it, but couldn’t.” Way I look at it, he said what he had to and changed the subject as soon as he could. Can’t say as I blame him. ---
**Author:** ![Jack\_Batty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jack_batty/32/3201_2.png) [@Jack\_Batty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jack_Batty)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/15 "2010-09-01T13:29:58Z")
I think we should make it a running theme. George W announced the end of combat operations in Iraq; Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq; God willing President Palin will announce the end of combat operations in Iraq. If we play our cards right, we can ride the end of combat operations in Iraq train until the camels come home. ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 1:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/16 "2010-09-01T13:43:27Z")
The next six administrations will be crucial. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/17 "2010-09-01T14:19:47Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > George W announced the end of combat operations in Iraq; Obama announced the end of combat operations in Iraq; God willing President Palin will announce the end of combat operations in Iraq. You know, President Palin of Iraq is about the most awesome concept I’ve ever heard. ---
**Author:** ![Hal\_Briston](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/a9a28c/32.png) [@Hal\_Briston](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hal_Briston)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/18 "2010-09-01T14:28:29Z")
> [@Jack\_Batty](#): > > God willing President Palin … You’re confusing “God” with “every stand-up comedian and late-night talk show host in America”. ---
**Author:** ![gonzomax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e8c25b/32.png) [@gonzomax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gonzomax)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/19 "2010-09-01T14:41:24Z")
He has to credit the troops with a job well done. They are forced into an ugly kind of war, hand to hand ,neighborhood by neighborhood , look your opponent in the eye and shoot him type war. It is mentally excruciating and many will have long term mental problems. They pay a huge price for this adventure ,that did not need to be fought at all. I feel very sorry for them. There is still no government in Iraq. The election was more than 6 months ago. I suppose just letting us do all the work while we pay off the leaders with American tax money ,works well for them. We had to walk away to light a fire under them. Perhaps now, they will act with a sense of urgency. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2010, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185/20 "2010-09-01T15:31:54Z")
> [@gonzomax](#): > > The election was more than 6 months ago. No, it’ll be [six months come September seventh.](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraqi_legislative_election,_2010) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/senator-boehner-s-prebuttal-speech/552185.md?page=2)