Iraqis fear Bush ouster- Wolfowitz says they worry troops will be withdrawn

New York Daily News ^ | 10/31/03 | RICHARD SISK

[kattracks]

WASHINGTON - Violence may be surging in Iraq, but there's another thing Deputy Secretary of Defense Paul Wolfowitz says Iraqis fear: President Bush getting booted from office. Wolfowitz, speaking at Georgetown University, said a worried resident of the southern city of Najaf asked him in July at a town hall meeting, "What's going to happen to us if George Bush loses the election?"

Wolfowitz didn't mention the Democrats, but he suggested the question sums up Iraqi fears that a new team in the White House would abandon them.

Wolfowitz said he tried to assure the Iraqis, but "when they hear the message that we might not be there next year, they get very scared."

Debra DeShong, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, brushed off Wolfowitz's remarks. "Iraqis are more worried about bombs and bullets than they are about ballots," DeShong said.

Late last night, the House passed the President's $87.5 billion Iraq aid package, including $18.6 billion for reconstruction efforts in Iraq. The Senate is expected to follow suit quickly.

The recent upsurge in violence against the U.S. presence in the country swelled again yesterday. For the first time, the Iraqi rail system was hit. Attackers set off a trackside bomb that derailed a freight train carrying U.S. military supplies and set several cars ablaze near the restive western town of Fallujah.

About 200 looters stripped the train, backing up trucks to carry off tents, computers and bottled water meant for Army troops.

In central Baghdad last night, a massive explosion destroyed a row of shops and killed at least two people. U.S. officials could not immediately say whether the cause was a bomb or an accidental gas main explosion.

Near the Baghdad "green zone," where U.S. civilians live, Iraqi police stopped and arrested a man who tried to toss a grenade at their police station.

The city, already shaken by a spate of suicide bombings, was on edge over leaflets that appeared on the streets calling for a general strike tomorrow. The leaflets claim to be from deposed dictator Saddam Hussein's Baath Party.

U.S. officials said this week that the attacks were the work of Al Qaeda and outside terrorists, but officials tell today's New York Times that intelligence reports show Saddam may be behind some incidents. The growing dangers have prompted an exodus of aid groups. Secretary General Kofi Annan announced that UN foreign staff also would leave.

With News Wire Services

Originally published on October 31, 2003

[geopyg]

"What's going to happen to us if George Bush loses the election?"

The same thing that happened after Nixon got booted out. Even though you are winning the war - even without any of our troops there, without Bush your funding and support will dry up, and you'll soon be under Saddam's wing again.

And watch out, cuz if Saddam comes back, boy will he be mad at a lot of people - like you - who no doubt was observed by your neighbor talking to the reporter. The neighbor that will rat on you as he's having his fingernails ripped out at the local Bath headquarters.

[Prodigal Son]

Even the French say we shouldn't witdraw from Iraq. That puts the democrats in very lonely company with al Qaeda in wanting us to leave.

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

If GW loses the election, he should, as a lame duck president, arm every Iraqi citizen. That is one reason why I recommended that all Iraqis be armed. It sounds scary, I know. It will lead to more murders in the short term, I realise. But an armed citizenry is much more likely to remain more free than a disarmed citizenry.

If any Iraqis are reading this, I tell them, get yourselves armed. The best person you can ever trust is you. GW will only get re-elected once. I believe he will be re-elected. But one can never be certain. And as for the 2008 election, I doubt we will see a third Bush in office. Get prepared. Get gun ownership rights. And this might sound wrong to a muslim, but Jesus is the Savior of the Earth, not Allah. Please consider prayer to Jesus. He can help you better than Bush can. FReegards....

[Arthur Wildfire! March]

"Even the French say we shouldn't witdraw from Iraq. That puts the democrats in very lonely company with al Qaeda in wanting us to leave."

Well said!

[tkathy]

It reinforces my sense that there is going to be big time muslim terrorist money behind the scenes for the democrats. How they can look themselves in the mirror in the morning is beyond me.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

The recent upsurge in violence against the U.S. presence in the country swelled again yesterday. For the first time, the Iraqi rail system was hit. Attackers set off a trackside bomb that derailed a freight train carrying U.S. military supplies and set several cars ablaze near the restive western town of Fallujah.

About 200 looters stripped the train, backing up trucks to carry off tents, computers and bottled water meant for Army troops.

~~~
Evildoers ticking off the American military - and scaring little children. Bad idea.
~~~

If you want on or off my Pro-Coalition ping list, please Freepmail me. Warning: it is a high volume ping list on good days. (Most days are good days).

[prairiebreeze]

Even the French say we shouldn't witdraw from Iraq. That puts the democrats in very lonely company with al Qaeda in wanting us to leave.

LOL!! I hadn't thought of it this way (De Villipain and Chirac have flip-flopped so many times I think Weasley Clark must be taking lessons from them) but you are absolutley correct! This needs to be pointed out by the media.

RC, your ping comment matches my tagline. heh!

Prairie

[Alamo-Girl]

Bump!

[VRWC_minion]

It would be great if Iraq took a vote on Bush's re-election.

[windchime]

"What's going to happen to us if George Bush loses the election?"


Scares me, too!

[Wright is right!]

"It reinforces my sense that there is going to be big time muslim terrorist money behind the scenes for the democrats. How they can look themselves in the mirror in the morning is beyond me."

The converse has crossed my mind. Democrats secretly funding terrorists over there for political gain at home. For many of the motley crew out in DNC land, I wouldn't put ANYTHING past them.

Michael

[My2Cents]

Yes, I'm worried about the forces of appeasement taking over too. To elect a Democrat in 2004, we might as well turn the nation over to France.

[blackie]

Evildoers ticking off the American military - and scaring little children. Bad idea ~ Bump!

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

[PhilDragoo]

There are two parties: The Traitors and The Patriots--

--with royalties to colorado tanker for his tagline.

Viva Bush--Death to Saddam.

[doug from upland]

Debra DeShong, a spokeswoman for the Democratic National Committee, brushed off Wolfowitz's remarks. "Iraqis are more worried about bombs and bullets than they are about ballots," DeShong said.

================================================

Lying witch. Of course they are worried if a RAT gets in office. They know that Bush will not let them down. He has a vision that no RAT is capable of having.