Conservatives' 'Vicious' Criticism Makes Soros Angry

CNSNEWS.com ^ | 1/13/04 | Robert B. Bluey

[kattracks]

(CNSNews.com) - Billionaire financier and philanthropist George Soros, who has pledged $15.5 million to liberal interest groups, said Monday he would likely up the ante in his quest to oust President Bush from the White House this November.

Speaking before the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in Washington, D.C., Soros declined to say how much he would give or when he might make the next donation. But he said the attacks he has endured from conservatives -- the Republican National Committee and the Bush campaign are two of his biggest critics -- have fueled his restlessness.

"I've been really quite viciously attacked for doing what I'm doing," Soros told the packed audience. "It's got a rise out of me and that will probably [result] in a rise in the amount of money I'll devote to it."

Soros later added, "I'm not a politician. I can admit that it has really frustrated me and angered me."

Soros' donations totaling $15.5 million went to liberal causes that include activist groups America Coming Together and MoveOn.org, as well as the Center for American Progress, a liberal think tank.

Monday's event served as the official release of his book, "The Bubble of American Supremacy," in which he attacks Bush's neoconservative-driven foreign policy and the war on terrorism.

Looking past the upcoming Democratic primaries, Soros said he doesn't have a favorite candidate to take on Bush. But he finds the views of former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, retired Gen. Wesley Clark and Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry most appealing.

"I'm not picking one candidate, but I am keen on Dean," Soros said when asked about the Democratic frontrunner's chances. "I think he can [win]. I think he probably has a more difficult time against his Democratic opponents ... than he will against President Bush. He has a very cogent and very fresh voice."

Republican National Committee spokeswoman Christine Iverson said if Soros continues to fill the coffers of liberal interest groups, it would solidify his position as a top ally of the eventual nominee. She said his liberal positions, issues like drug reform, could be a turnoff for voters.

"The fact that George Soros is able to give the enormous sums that he is able to give makes the future Democratic nominee very beholden to him," Iverson said. "He is the most powerful man in the Democratic Party today by virtue of the fact that he is able to make large donations to whichever candidate or candidates support his views."

Soros has said repeatedly that his quest hinges on changing America's foreign policy. Soros said it is not so much personal dislike of Bush, but rather the views the president brings to the table. "Many Republicans share my concerns," Soros said.

"If we elect Bush in 2004, we endorse the Bush doctrine, and we will have to live with the consequences," Soros said. "We shall be regarded with widespread hostility and terrorists will be able to count on many sympathizers throughout the world. We are liable to be trapped in a vicious circle of violence, which we already are in Iraq."

Rejecting Bush would illustrate to the world that the United States had undergone a "temporary aberration" during his term in office. Soros said this is analogous to the bubble that formed, and later burst, in the stock market.

In the book, Soros takes aim at the Project for the New American Century, a neoconservative organization committed to U.S. military, diplomatic and moral leadership. Soros claims the group has had an astonishing amount of influence at the White House because Vice President Cheney and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld signed the group's mission statement in 1997.

The organization's executive director, Gary J. Schmitt, flatly denied that charge. Schmitt recently appeared alongside one of the nation's leading neoconservatives, Richard Perle, to defend the movement and its accomplishments at a Hudson Institute forum last month.

In response to Soros' comments Monday, Schmitt said Bush's critics often fail to grasp the full impact of the president's work.

"If you look at where diplomatic initiatives are taking place now, whether it's North Korea, Iran or Libya, the reality is that President Bush set a new agenda after Sept. 11," Schmitt said. "It's really quite striking how much of the agenda he's set has become part of the global agenda."

Schmitt said for all of the complaining about that agenda in the United States and abroad, the Bush administration has attracted a number of allies in the global war on terror.

Soros, however, said the "future of the world hangs in the balance" with the 2004 election. He said he remains worried that the "Bush propaganda machine" would try to turn away from national security and trump the growing economy as its top campaign issue.

As for Iraq, Soros said the United States shouldn't pull out its forces. He also praised the capture of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein.

"I rejoice at the fall of Saddam," Soros said. "And I am particularly pleased that he has been captured in a rat hole without putting up resistance. But that doesn't change the fact that the invasion of Iraq was an egregious error."

Following his presentation, Soros was asked about his views on Bush's religion and the role religion should play in politics. After growing up as a Jew in Hungry during the Nazi occupation, Soros later in life said he was an atheist.

"There's nothing wrong with religion," Soros said.

"I think that there is something wrong with the fundamentalist view of the world, because the fact that your opponents are wrong doesn't necessarily make you right. The fact that you are attacked by terrorists doesn't exempt you from criticism of the way you react to that threat. I'm afraid there is this fundamentalist fallacy, which should not be part of our political life," Soros concluded.

See Earlier Story:
George Soros' Atheism Fuels Conservative Rage (Dec. 16, 2003)

E-mail a news tip to Robert B. Bluey.

Send a Letter to the Editor about this article.

[tet68]

"I'm not picking one candidate, but I am keen on Dean," Soros said when asked about the Democratic frontrunner's chances. "I think he can [win]. I think he probably has a more difficult time against his Democratic opponents ... than he will against President Bush. He has a very cogent and very fresh voice."

Which just goes to show you, Money doesn't = intelligence.

[Cultural Jihad]

Talk about throwing good money after bad ...

[palmer]

Soros later added, "I'm not a politician. I can admit that it has really frustrated me and angered me."

Good, anger him some more so he makes more mistakes.

[SandRat]

So Sore-os is keen on Muja-ha-ha-Dean. I have a message for Sore-os

[Adder]

"Soros later added, "I'm not a politician. I can admit that it has really frustrated me and angered me."

Aww, ain't that too damn bad. You thrust yourself uninvited into the spotlight but don't want to have anything said about you? Idiot.
Why is more not being said about his obvious attempt to buy influence and corrupt the political landscape with his money? If it were Haliburton the press would be having an apopolectic fit.

[gunnedah]

This shows what money can do in the hands of a self centured SOB. The bad thing about it is that it works.
50% of the electorate believe anything and everything the news media and TV puts out there. Then those running for office are quite willing and ready to sell to the highest bidder leaving the general public really out in the cold.
Americans get a steady brainwashing and are very receptive to it.
Truth will stand the test of time and America will fall like all great empires. I am thankful it probably wont happen in my lifetime but those after me will have hell to pay.We have sat on our behinds and are headed in the direction of all of the past great empires.

[Thebaddog]

I saw the same quote and all I can think of beyond that is that the democratic party is up for sale to the big liberal money thanks to Campaign Reform. Did McCain really do this to the democrats deliberately or was he really trying to do the "right" thing?

[danneskjold]

"The fact that George Soros is able to give the enormous sums that he is able to give makes the future Democratic nominee very beholden to him," Iverson said. "He is the most powerful man in the Democratic Party today by virtue of the fact that he is able to make large donations to whichever candidate or candidates support his views."

<sarcasm>Good to see CFR working out so well...</sarcasm>

[Northern Yankee]

So...it's ok for Soros to viciously attack President Bush, but when he gets attacked he really is hurt and troubled?

I'm sorry... Just what part of this picture don't you get Mr. Soros?

[agitator]

ping

[Elkiejg]

Why is more not being said about his obvious attempt to buy influence and corrupt the political landscape with his money?

Bullseye!! I'm sick and tired of this idiot's attempt at king making. I asked before, is he an American citizen? If he is, can his citizenship be revoked? He is a perfect example of abuse of free speech. If he's going to shoot off his mouth, then he has to accept the consequences. If the LIEberal press won't put his feet to the fire - then it's up to free internet press like FreeRepublic.

[hellinahandcart]

Rejecting Bush would illustrate to the world that the United States had undergone a "temporary aberration" during his term in office.

In a nutshell, this is why I will still vote for Bush next November.

I'm not going to allow one of the handful of things he's done absolutely right to be seen as an "aberration", and I refuse to put a smile on the face of George Soros and "the world".

It may not be much of a reason, but it's my reason, and I'm hangin' onto it for now.

[hellinahandcart]

Good to see CFR working out so well...

Oh please, it was never meant to affect the ruling class. We do officially have one of those now, you know; courtesy of that very law.

[Marak]

This is great news!

It shows that Soros has a fragile ego and can be manipulated by how he is viewed from the outside. If he is continually put down now, he will spend massive funds on his pet groups, which are accomplishing nothing. By the time the election draws near, he will grow disillusioned by the enormous amounts of money that he has wasted.

Can we say 'burn out'? ;)

[blanknoone]

Good to see CFR working out so well

Do you think that this was a surprise? Soros was a huge supporter of CFR. He rather apparently wanted to eliminate the competition for influence. They talked about getting the 'big' money out of politics, but it was really the middle money (corporations rarely gave anything even approaching Soros levels) that was eliminated. The unions can spend their political money on organizing efforts, but corporations can't/won't. But in the end, money matters, and Soros made his matter a whole lot more by limiting access to other peoples' money. He knew that people like him would always be able to find a way to buy influence, both with the politicians, and by influencing elections.

[Leisler]

Gee, if Zoros is correct, and the U.S. goes down the tube, where's he going to scurry to next?

[Ichneumon]

"The fact that George Soros is able to give the enormous sums that he is able to give makes the future Democratic nominee very beholden to him," Iverson said. "He is the most powerful man in the Democratic Party today by virtue of the fact that he is able to make large donations to whichever candidate or candidates support his views."

[Cincinatus]

One story we haven't seen in the media recently -- the evil influence on our national political discourse by ideological plutocrats, like Richard Mellon Scaife.

[DB]

Soros takes a flame thrower to conservatives and then wonders why there's return fire...

Is he really that stupid?

[highlander_UW]

I heard a story many years ago related to my local football team. At the time the Seahawks had Brian Bosworth as a linebacker with quite a mouth. The Seahawks were scheduled to play the Denver Broncos. Bosworth built up an alter ego "the Boz" and marketed himself that way. Just before the game that was to be played in Denver there was a large number of Bronco fans that purchased teeshirts with that circle with a slash through the middle with Boz being crossed out. As it turns out, according to the story, it was Bosworth that had the teeshirts printed up and sold in Denver. So the sea of no Boz shirts equaled money in his pocket.

Is there any way we can get in on the gravy train that Soros promises to provide in his loosing cause?

[Diogenesis]

Unwilling to help support useful agendas, Soros helps al Qaeda and al Qaeda democrats.

[IronJack]

"I've been really quite viciously attacked for doing what I'm doing,"

Let's see, this is the guy who's funding the Bush-is-Hitler ads. And his tender feelings are hurt because he's being criticized? Did I get that right?

[mywholebodyisaweapon]

"There's nothing wrong with religion," Soros said.

""I think that there is something wrong with the fundamentalist view of the world, because the fact that your opponents are wrong doesn't necessarily make you right. The fact that you are attacked by terrorists doesn't exempt you from criticism of the way you react to that threat. I'm afraid there is this fundamentalist fallacy, which should not be part of our political life," Soros concluded."

Sounds like a threat to me. Does it to you? Nice to be told we 'should not be part of (his) political life'. Does this qualify as hate speech? Oh, wait, I forgot, Christians cannot be the subject of hate speech, by definition.

Never mind.

[Nakota]

Poor George, people are saying bad things about you? Tell it all to Richard Mellon Scaif.

[metesky]

Soros is more dangerous than most people think he is.

Total control...

[metesky]

The fact that you are attacked by terrorists doesn't exempt you from criticism of the way you react to that threat.

I really loved this line, it's so disconnected from reality, and implies that if President Bush had only made nice-nice with the religious fanatics that attacked the U.S. everything would be hunky-dory.

I'm concerned about W's domestic program, but on the WOT and foreign policy I thank the good Lord for George W. Bush!

[smiley]

Socialists loving socialists...don't cha just love it?...

[Publius6961]

Another classic example that having tons of money does not cancel idiocy. OK. What can we do to make sure this clown spends another $16 million? And another and another...
These compassionate "progressives" assume that throwing money has a profound effect in lowering the national IQ. The Soviet Union thought so and look what happened to it.

Does Georgie boy think he can outspend the Soviet Union?

[JesseHousman]

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Lest we forget!

As the nation rolls merrily along into Marxism, eventually pay-back time will arrive!

[AppyPappy]

I've been really quite viciously attacked for doing what I'm doing

Three words, you whiny baby "Richard Mellon Scaife"

[syriacus]

"I'm not picking one candidate, but I am keen on Dean," Soros said when asked about the Democratic frontrunner's chances.

Some of Dean's more faithful followers might want to prolong their association with their charismatic leader even after he fails to become president. In that case, the "revered" Doctor will need some land to colonize with his acolytes.

It would take a good deal of money to establish a "Deanstown" colony in some third world country.

Soros likes to help fledgling governments. Perhaps Soros could be of assistance by funding their post-election move to their "heaven on earth."

[danneskjold]

Damon Rules...

[PGalt]

$oro$ money better not trickle down to more nefarious individuals.

[wingster]

"Good, anger him some more so he makes more mistakes."

"It may become so cross that it makes a mistake!"

[wingster]

"$oro$ money better not trickle down to more nefarious individuals."

I hope it trickles down to a Sharpton/Clinton ticket. :D

[SevenDaysInMay]

My money is on Hillary/Clark in '04 - on the second vote.

Hillary, aka MoiveOn.org, is building on the Clintons' control of the DNC-Poliburo's official tens of million$, unofficial million$, and FBI files.

America has forgotten the Clintons' ordered JBT slaughter of innocents at Mt. Carmel, Waco from February to 19 April, 1993.

America has forgotten Bill's & Hillary's felonies while in our White House.

Bill & Hillary's public demonstration of their power of the State was for all to see. You ain't seen nothin' yet.

IMO, with or without Qaeda's nukes/pox's, we shall have a full-bore fascist administration this decade, Democrat or Rino, assured by conspiring blackrobes.

Our RATIFIED Constitution has been nullified by those who would be king. The Queen shall throw it away, another "compelling State interest".

Revolutions have been fought over less.

[EQAndyBuzz]

I was thinking the same thing. Once this election is over and there is 10 mil or so floating around, where will that money go?

[optimistically_conservative]

I can already see the campaign ads showing Soros. A brief background on how rich he is and all his extreme positions and the money question, "Do you want a President that has been bought by this rich fat cat enacting his view of America into law?"

[wingster]

BTW, more and more Americans are getting educated via various sources and it's always been this high level bickering that has turned off much of the public. So I'm not totally convinced that the pop-culture crowd can carry the dems, which is really what it is boiling down to. Thus Britany's endorsement of Clark. As if she has a clue.

I've stated for years now that the black constituency is beginning to vote republican b/c they too are becoming more informed by-and-large. I think guys like Soros are buying themselves further into a hole. Pop teeny-boppers are not motivated enough to give a crap to this extent to carry an election. All we need is a good stiff rain or snow, and so much for their efforts.

The biggest threat to Bush losing and not getting a massive coattails is cheating and chicanery.

[wingster]

Hilliary doesn't have a prayer of winning a national election. Please, please, please, I hope she does run so that we can finally bury her politically. Perhaps that is what it would take to finally burry the ultra left of the Dems. It would motivate all those who say that they are not going to vote for Bush too.

[chiefqc]

Another case of someone with more money than brains.

He'll pass a starvig, freezing homeless person on the street without so much as a look, but he is will to let his hate of America's ELECTED President allow him to pis* away his money on some loser like himself.

[sgtbono2002]

I can never understand why Jews support Democrats ,who dont support them.

[TonyRo76]

One of the many faces of Pure Evil...

[gaspar]

Soros interest in Vermont is longstanding. He has funded institutes at the University of Vermont and has taken from that university a man who helps run his "charitable" organizations. It is assumed that one reason Dean does not want to open his gubernatorial archive is because it would show a personal connection to Soros.

[observer5]

"Why is more not being said about his obvious attempt to buy influence and corrupt the political landscape with his money? "

Because that IS the political system in the US!

[af_vet_1981]

"I've been really quite viciously attacked for doing what I'm doing," Soros told the packed audience. "It's got a rise out of me and that will probably [result] in a rise in the amount of money I'll devote to it." Soros later added, "I'm not a politician. I can admit that it has really frustrated me and angered me."

Since he is a rich liberal who wants to change the tax code, can we apply this tax rate to him and confiscate his wealth ?

[ohioman]

Here's hoping you wake and find a good 'ole fashion heart attack, Mr. Soros.