Remember when James Baker, co-author of the ISG (Iraqi Surrender Group) report was celebrated by the leftist media? Shucks why Chris Matthews could hardly keep his hands off him when he had him on.

Well, that love fest is over now:

“James Baker, the co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group, on Tuesday endorsed President Bush’s troop surge in Iraq, urging the Senate to “give it a chance.”

“The president’s plan ought to be given a chance,” Baker told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “Just give it a chance.”

Baker, a former secretary of state under President George H.W. Bush, said it was wrong for the Senate to confirm Army Gen. David Petreaus to lead the new Iraq mission at the same time it was moving to pass non-binding resolutions opposing the deployment of at least 21,500 U.S. forces to improve security in Baghdad and Al Anbar Province. Some of those forces have already been deployed.

Baker also deflected criticism from Democratic senators that the president’s new Iraq strategy lacked sufficient emphasis on diplomatic talks with Iran and Syria. Baker said the new plan envisions new diplomatic initiatives, though it does not include one of the ISG’s chief recommendations: direct talks with Iran and Syria.

Baker’s endorsement could well alter the political dynamic dealing with Senate debate on the president’s new Iraq plan. Many critics have cited the ISG, which in November published 79 recommendations for getting the United States of Iraq successfully, as the basis for opposing the troop surge. References to the ISG’s military and diplomatic recommendations are cited in both leading resolutions opposing the new Iraq plan.”

Heh….you could have heard a pin drop during his testimony at the ASC hearing today. Carl (four-eyes/no brain) Levin looked like he was going to throw up. So much for the anticipated sound bite of Jimbo joining the “Crush the Surge” parade. Puts all the critics and supporters of “cut and run” on the spot. How can they now criticize Baker’s “give it a chance”, when they supported the very thing in his report?

They can’t, not apart from appearing as hypocrites, but then we are talking about hypocrites.