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Comments

• [1] Christopher F from Brooklyn July 16, 2007 - 10:34AM

  I don't understand why the Democrats aren't forcing the Republicans to *actually* filibuster legislation such as the Webb amendment. It was only a year ago the the Republicans were trying to portray the filibuster as "denying the will of the majority." Now they get a free pass when they do it.

  
  
• [2] john from manhattan July 16, 2007 - 10:49AM

  the observation that the people only want a maverick if the agree with you is flatout wrong. People fell away from John McCain's campaign when he started selling out in an attempt to appeal to the right wing. His embrace of W during the 2004 campaign was the begining of his current problems and over the next 2 years he squandered his reputation as a truth teller.

  Once you spend that capital it cannot be recovered. Meanwhile the right wing of the party never believed his pandering - so he lost on both counts. If you look back over the last 20 years to the campaigns of people like Paul Tsongis, or Ross Perot - both devoid of charisma - they were they were able to attract a huge following. Please don't encourage candidates to be any more cowardly than they already are!

  
  
• [3] Jeffrey Slott from Queens, NY July 16, 2007 - 10:58AM

  This sort of situation brings up a quandary that I, and others, have observed in the past. Who is an elected politician really supposed to serve? The people who elected him or her? The party that he or she is a member of? Those who contributed money to their election? Or their own understanding of what is right or wrong?

  
  
• [4] RC from Queens July 16, 2007 - 12:10PM

  Hey WNYC producers. This story has not gotten much Buzz. This LA Times story says that 45% of the foreign fighters in Iraq are from Saudi Arabia. Aren't they our ally?

  latimes.com

  http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center

  From the Los Angeles Times

  THE CONFLICT IN IRAQ: SAUDI ROLE IN INSURGENCY

  Saudis' role in Iraq insurgency outlined

  Sunni extremists from Saudi Arabia make up half the foreign fighters in Iraq, many suicide bombers, a U.S. official says.

  By Ned Parker

  Times Staff Writer

  July 15, 2007

  BAGHDAD — Although Bush administration officials have frequently lashed out at Syria and Iran, accusing it of helping insurgents and militias here, the largest number of foreign fighters and suicide bombers in Iraq come from a third neighbor, Saudi Arabia, according to a senior U.S. military officer and Iraqi lawmakers.

  About 45% of all foreign militants targeting U.S. troops and Iraqi civilians and security forces are from Saudi Arabia; 15% are from Syria and Lebanon; and 10% are from North Africa, according to official U.S. military figures made available to The Times by the senior officer. Nearly half of the 135 foreigners in U.S. detention facilities in Iraq are Saudis, he said.

  Rest of the story is here....

  http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/world/la-fg-saudi15jul15,0,3132262.story?coll=la-home-center