W'S DRIFT TO IMPOTENCE

N Y Post ^ | December 6, 2006 | JOHN O'SULLIVAN

[Sabramerican]

JOHN Bolton's resignation as the American ambassador to the United Nations makes it official: The Bush administration is now drifting idly toward a mixture of centrism and impotence.

In less than a month, two of President Bush's stronger and more independent aides - Donald Rumsfeld and Bolton - have been dispatched. Rumsfeld's designated successor, former CIA head Robert Gates, is a leading member of the Beltway's permanent bureaucracy.

The administration seems to be waiting for the Baker-Hamilton commission of old Washington hands to dictate U.S. policy on Iraq. Leaks from the commission suggest it will recommend a gradual U.S. withdrawal camouflaged by negotiations with Iran and Syria over a new Mideast grand bargain.

All of this feeds an exaggerated defeatism in the United States over Iraq.

.....

Rumsfeld's abrupt firing was an act of flagrant disloyalty to a loyal subordinate. The defense secretary had made his share of mistakes - notably, his failure to crush looting immediately after the fall of Baghdad - but he had followed the president's policy faithfully.

.......

We don't know for certain the reasons for Bolton's departure: Either the White House wasn't prepared to fight for him, or he was no longer prepared to lend his voice to the diplomatic charade over Iran and North Korea. Either way, his departure demonstrates timidity on the administration's part. The net result will be that Bush has one less loyal subordinate in the shrinking ranks of his own administration.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

Do you still listen to Rush

Rush is the reason I wake up every morning. And then it's a long wait till I get to download the daily podcast ( I hate listening to him on the radio, unless the world is falling apart *during* the show ) Maybe I should just wake up later in the afternoon so I can download it right away.

Yes, he has criticized Bush for a few things, like immigration, growing the govt, etc. But then he has always maintained that Bush is not leading a movement like Reagan was. Bush is conservative in some respects and he has done FABULOUSLY in those -- WOT, taxes etc. Rush does not represent the Republican party. He criticizes where criticism is due and he applauds where applause is due.

[Alissa]

What ever happened to the conservative principle of self reliance and taking responsibility for ones own actions?

That's the point - What ever happened to it? Most people rely on the MSM for their news. Most people are not political news junkies. The MSM is their reality. This doesn't mean they are stupid, it means they trust the MSM for their news.

[VRWC For Truth]

The "new tone" is an abysmal failure. Bush took the fight to Iraq, but it's ironic that his lack of taking the fight to the 'Rats, the MSM, and John McTraitor domestically has neutered all his power. The best defense is a good offense.

[Radix]

"History will judge him harshly, and his effect on our national security will be seen as detrimental."

I don't think so.

This President has been gentlemanly and pragmatic concerning political realities.

I think that ultimately he'll be recognized as the last of the best.

We are all screwed now, with what is coming.

[AmeriBrit]

I bet you bleed yellow when cut and hoist a white flag everyday on your flagpole.

[alarm rider]

"The apple rolled very far away from the tree."

Respectfully, no it did not.

I speak here as a person that voted for GWB twice, but he blew it big time, as his father blew it when he listened to Colin Powell and the UN and did not have the will to finish the job and take out Saddam in Gulf I.

This whole "compassionate conservative" BS needed to be chucked after 9/11, and GWB needed to strongly articulate often the reasons for taking the fight to the ME. We got the shallow and ill-advised "religion of peace" thing that was, in retrospect, a huge and terrible mistake. Failure to define the enemy is still biting us in the a$$ to this very minute.

He did not do that, nor did he deal strongly with his critics on the left, and he did not hold the social right in his corner. He looks at this point weak and wimpy. I await some cojones, but I am not seeing it at this time. I am sorely disgusted with the whole mess.

[ARealMothersSonForever]

it means they trust the MSM for their news.

And so which specific news organizations shall we deem appropriate? We cite the Voice Of America, and receive howls of the bias that they exhibit. We cite foreign media sources, and the criticism regarding accurate translation is crushing.

One must either accept the personal responsibility to expand their research and verification abilities, or trust another person or organization to accurately report and interpret information.

As Americans, we enjoy the luxury of not being totally reliant upon government controlled domestic media sources. With the right of a free press comes the responsibility to insure accountability and accuracy. By the people. Not by bureaucracy and regulation. This entails standing diligently against false reporting, yet refraining from calling any report that is contradictory to our perspective or politics a blatant falsehood.

[OldFriend]

It's all about the oil, don't you know!

[Radix]

38 And the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom.

[He Rides A White Horse]

I thought Bolton was doing a fine job; which of course spelled death for him in our new SanFran Nancy Pelosi guard.

[AmeriBrit]

I'll go one further than that. I won't forget all those here on FR that abandoned the President at the first chance they got because they have no guts or backbones and bleed yellow because it's the easiest way. I'll also add, they're the biggest crybabies when something doesn't suit their way of thinking. The mentality of some of the FReepers here lately is enough to drive anyone to drink.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Thanks for your comments. I have to admit I was somewhat taken back by the comments.

To damn any person on FR based on the date they became a member seems pretty shallow -- but, that is only my opinion. I try to see all sides to what is going on in the world and our country and recognize I don't know everything, thus my reason for being here, to discuss issues with other intelligent people.

[Arizona Carolyn]

Perhaps there is a certain amount of blame to be placed on at least ten percent of the Senate spending the last two years positioning themselves to run for President in 2008 instead of doing an honest job for the American people,

[He Rides A White Horse]

Drink up fella; I've stuck by the President since Election 2000......and you'll have to forgive me that as a someone who voted for him isn't happy with some descisions made.

Again, I reserve that right as a voter.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I can't wait for Bolton to write a book.

[He Rides A White Horse]

While he has done many things that are good, it doesn't mean I am compelled to engage in a mutual suicide pact.

[Paperdoll]

>The apple rolled very far from the tree.<

If the apple is W (winesap), then I disagree with you. I did not vote the second time for the tree (Bush 41) because of his dedication to globalism. I would say with 43 signing up for the North American Union immeciately after being re-elected, he did not roll at all. And I fear that my country will lay rotting at the roots unless someonne does something quickly!

[He Rides A White Horse]

Carolyn, I thought he was good; his voice was measured, as well as his temperment, and he had harsh words for the UN when needed.

[He Rides A White Horse]

(sigh)........someday conservatives will realize that giving in to liberals is a losing proposition.

Give it some thought; they are monolithic when it comes to their approach to issues. They never cave. Never.

.....for some strange reason, you'll find conservatives always hawking the need to be more 'gentle', to compromise, as we are faced with the likes of Cindy Sheehan, Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi (and others) who unleash a never ending, shrill siren call labelling us the worst words you'll find in the dictionary.

When conservatives abandon the battered wife syndrome, we'll be well on the road to recovery.

I for one, am tired of throwing up my hands in defense, metaphorically shielding myself from liberal battery.

[Arizona Carolyn]

I did too, and Lincoln Chaffee is one Senator I'm eternally glad was defeated, even if it did cost us our majority in the Senate. Bolton proved his worth to this country on more than one occasion over the past year and didn't deserve this treatment from the Senate.