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Length: 5:28
LOU DOBBS: Let's go to
Michael Ware now in Baghdad, where it's about 5:00 in
the morning.
Michael, first, thank you for staying up with us
here.
And, secondly, how is this raw political battle over
the conduct of the war there playing out amongst our
troops and with the Iraqi government itself?
MICHAEL WARE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, in the
immediate term, Lou, obviously, everyone's focus is
on what's happening in the street directly in front
of them, right now.
That can even be argued from, not just the troops who
are on those streets, but even for the American
commander of this war, General David Petraeus. I
mean, his focus right now is nothing but securing
this capital, Baghdad. He's not looking anymore than
five or six months ahead right now. He needs to make
this work, funding or no funding. No matter what the
political, artificial debate back in D.C. is, he
needs to keep his eye on this job.
However, the insurgents, al Qaeda and Iran, they
would, too, certainly be keeping an eye on the
machinations back there in D.C., again, not because
it's going to play immediately into -- in tactical
terms, or even in strategic terms. But it does
reflect the broader strategic malaise that America
finds itself in right now.
America, strategically, is not on one path. There is
not even a clear strategy for people to cling to, and
to know that that's what will carry them forward. And
that's how U.S. enemies will use this upheaval. It's
on the strategic level -- Lou.
DOBBS: And, Michael, of course, the Democratic
leadership in Congress insists that the reason for
this battle, this showdown, this contest with the
White House is to serve notice on the Maliki
government that it must get its government in order,
must be effective in moving its troops and security
forces and police into the streets of Baghdad and
around the country, and taking control of security
for itself.
Is it having, as best you can judge it, from those
you speak with, both publicly and privately, that
effect among the government officials you speak with?
WARE: Look, if Democratic members of Congress believe
that their grandstanding over funding cuts and
timelines and so forth is in any way putting real
pressure on Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki on a
day-to-day basis, I'm afraid that they are most
likely deluding themselves.
Prime Minister Maliki already knows he has got his
last throw of the dice. President Bush has already
made that clear. And, when you have a U.S. four-star
here on the ground, in your face, not to mention such
senior U.S. ambassadors as Zalmay Khalilzad, or now
Ambassador Crocker, I mean, that's where you know the
pressure applies, where they are telling you: "Buddy,
this is it. You make it work, or you're gone."
It's been made very clear to Prime Minister
al-Maliki, well before this congressional
back-and-forth, that he was on borrowed time, and
that America will be looking to different
alternatives, if he cannot deliver. And, quite
frankly, there's not a lot to suggest that he can.
DOBBS: Now from the broader strategic and tactical
implications for us, let's go to that which matters
most to nearly every America, I would certainly
assume. And that is the morale of our troops, as this
is being played out before them, this contest over
the conduct of the war.
Again, as best you can judge it, the effect, if any,
on the morale of our troops there.
Michael, can you hear me?
WARE: Yes, I'm sorry, Lou. There was -- no, there was
something in my ear.
In terms of troop morale?
DOBBS: Yes.
WARE: Yes. I believe your question related to troop
morale.
In that regard, I mean, OK, sure, these kids sweating
it out in these streets, these kids driving these
Humvees that are just being torn apart by hidden
roadside bombs, and these poor Marines out in the
western deserts, who, right now, as you're sitting
where you are, and here I am, at 5:00 a.m. in
Baghdad, at this instant, are behind sandbags on the
end of machine guns, waiting for potential al Qaeda
attacks.
Now, they would be aware, in the general background
noise, of what is happening politically. But, day to
day, they are fighting for the mate next to them, for
their brother in arms. For them, in this war, as in
all wars, that's what it boils down to.
So, will it be a kick in the guts? Absolutely. But
these kids will still tough it out, because they are
doing it for the guy beside them.
DOBBS: Michael, thank you.