May 1, 2007
By: Matthew Miller, DSCC

Four years ago today, President Bush declared under a “Mission Accomplished” sign that major combat operations in Iraq had ended. In the four years since, Americans have seen that the mission was in fact far from accomplished. But instead of learning their lesson, the president and the Republicans in the Senate who want to keep giving him a blank check are still distorting the facts about what’s happening in Iraq – making claim after claim of progress, when the facts on the ground tell a far different story.

Coleman Says Progress is Being Made With the New Security Plan. On multiple occasions, Coleman has praised the progress of the Iraq war despite overwhelming evidence that proves the contrary. As recently as last week, Coleman said, “Clearly, there’s a lessening of the sectarian violence” as a result of the troop escalation. [AP, 4/22/07; KARE11, 4/22/07; Star Tribune, 4/22/07; Forest Lake Times, 4/11/07]

As Recently as Last Month, Sununu Saw Clear Signs of Improvement While in Iraq. During a trip to Iraq in March, John Sununu said that he was seeing “modest improvements,” in the country. Discussing the trip again last month, Sununu said, “There are clear signs of improvement.” After President Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech four years ago, Sununu joined Bush in lauding “the conclusion of this combat phase.” [Concord Monitor, 3/18/07; Portsmouth Herald, 4/6/07; AP, 5/2/03]

Collins Saw Progress in Iraq, Thought Bush Did Excellent Job Outlining His Strategy for Iraq. After a 2004 speech given by Iraqi Prime Minister Allawi, Collins praised his speech and said, “Allawi reminded us that progress is being made in Iraq…” Last year before Bush’s State of the Union address, Collins praised Bush and said that he, “has done an excellent job lately in outlining his strategy for Iraq.” [Collins Release, 9/23/04; CQ, 1/26/06]

McConnell Agreed With “Mission Accomplished” Declaration and Still Speaks of Progress in Iraq. After Bush’s “Mission Accomplished” speech, Mitch McConnell declared, “I think it was time to say to the American people, the hostilities in Iraq have ended.” In December 2005, McConnell said, “The fact is, we are already on the road to victory in Iraq,” adding, “there can be no doubt that tremendous progress has been made.” And after the troop escalation plan began this year, McConnell said, the additional troops had “already given us reasons for hope.” [MSNBC, “Hardball,” 5/1/03; Congressional Record, 12/16/05, 2/17/07]

Dole Defended War in Iraq, Said Progress Was Encouraging. After a 2006 fact-finding mission, Elizabeth Dole said, “I saw firsthand in Iraq the tremendous progress that our coalition forces are making.” Less than a year earlier, Dole attacked those who criticized the progress of the war, claiming that “a constitutional democracy is taking hold” and praising “greater stability” in the region. [News and Observer, 8/1/06, 6/5/06, 11/17/05]

Inhofe Claims to See Progress in Iraq After Each Visit. Earlier this year, Jim Inhofe spoke of “seeing the progress that is being made” in Iraq each time he has visited the country and just a few days ago, Inhofe said that his meeting with Gen. David Petraeus provided further evidence of progress in Iraq. [Congressional Record, 3/15/07, 9/6/06; Tulsa World, 4/28/07]

Cornyn Praised The “End of the Combat Phase” Four Years Ago. After the “Mission Accomplished” speech, John Cornyn praised Bush for staying the course despite “the criticism of armchair generals and other naysayers.” “With the end of the combat phase, we can intensify the efforts to rebuild a once-great nation,” Cornyn said. [San Antonio Express-News, 5/1/03]