The Lies of Our Leaders vs. the Voice of the People

White House counselor Dan Bartlett, this morning on CNN's "American Morning": "And I think whatever misgivings the American people have about where we are in the war in Iraq, I don't think they want 535 politicians in Washington to replace the judgment of our top commanders and diplomats on the ground."

Reality check: According to the latest CBS News/New York Times poll, 57 percent of Americans say Congress should have the "final say" about U.S. troop levels in Iraq; only 35 percent say the president should have the "final say." As for the "commanders on the ground"? Let's not forget that George W. Bush replaced them earlier this year when he decided to replace their judgment with his.

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White House counselor Dan Bartlett on the candidates in Thursday night's Democratic presidential debate: "All they are trying to do is placate a very radical element of their own party who says, 'Get out now. Damn the consequences. It doesn't matter, just get out.' And that is not a serious foreign policy."

Reality check: In the latest polling on Iraq, 64 percent of Americans say the United States should set a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.

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