Counteroffensive overdue (Cal Thomas to Bush)

Washington Times ^ | 2/11/04 | Cal Thomas

[Elkiejg]

For months, President Bush has been a sitting duck, taking incoming rhetorical fire from Democratic opponents and a willing media eager to bring down his poll numbers so they can have themselves a contest. The poll numbers are down, and it appears there will be a real contest. It is time for the president to return fire.

[yoe]

"JFK experienced his first intense combat action on 2 December 1968. He was slightly wounded on his arm; he was awarded his first Purple Heart.

"JFK was awarded his second Purple Heart after sustaining a minor shrapnel wound in his left thigh on 20 February 1969.

The gunner said he 'laid 50 rounds' into the hooch before JFK leaped from the boat and dashed in to administer a 'coup de grace' to the soldier. JFK returned with a B-40 rocket and launcher. [In contrast, Army and Marine personnel were -- and are still -- routinely trained to engage and close with the enemy. Had JFK been commanding a platoon or rifle company this action -- going towards and not running away from enemy fire -- would have been routine.]

Brave Kerry went after the enemy after 50 protective rounds had cleared the way – 2 minor wounds earlier – now lets talk about lost arms, legs and worse, life, wounds that really deserved the Purple Heart. Lots of young widows got them. Mr. Kerry talks about and denounced American soldiers for committing "genocide" in Vietnam and accusing the U.S. of "international racism."
What was the ‘coup de grace’ he administered? Buck fever? Fear for his own life? It is hard to tell what Kerry was really doing or why he did it.

[MeekOneGOP]

I voted at your link in #16, thanks !

[yoe]

When he announced the beginning of military operations against Iraq last March, the president said it "could be more difficult than some predict. And helping Iraqis achieve a united, stable and free country will require our sustained commitment."

A UNITED, STABLE AND FREE COUNTRY WILL REQUIRE OUR SUSTAINED COMMITMENT.....SUSTAINED COMMITMENT

In trying to re-live the Viet Nam war, the Democrats are mounting a huge campaign with Kerry leading the anti-American pack, to deep six our good works in Iraq and the people in Iraq and divide Americans against further removal of tyrannical rulers in the world, leaving the United Nations safe to endorse those tyrants - at the same time assuring the Mid-East that a Kerry administration will not meddle in their affairs - as long as we can buy their oil.

Kerry and his followers have not grown up or budged one step from wrong ideas – Hanoi John and Jane live!

[wireman]

I think you need to calm down.

It is a fact that the vast majority of undecided voters don't even begin to think about the election until after Labor Day. Why waste money now simply to reassure a nervous group of voters who have already decided how they will vote.

This country votes 40% R and 40% D. It's the 20% in the middle that matter and they aren't listening now.

[lawgirl]

NO way- we are just getting the final solid hint of who the nominee will be yet for sure. Right now we are just giving them enough rope to hang themselves. I am glad we didnt' start bashing Dean- then look- he didn't even make it and not only would we have looked ugly and nasty, we would have shown our cards and whoever actually got the nomination would know how we play the game. (our strategery!)

Let Kerry keep talking and talking and talking and talking about Vietnam and special interests- then we will hang him and "well I only made that comment in passing once- I didnt really mean it" won't suffice. If you have given 30 speeches on hating special interests, all the easier to hang you with the solid proof you're in bed with them once the race heats up. And it takes time to get solid evidence together.

Plus- let's also remember a play out of the Dem handbook- nail them late in the game (like the DUI BS they tried to pin on W like what- 3 days before the election?) so they can't recover from it. Not to mention, W needs to focus on running our country and can really truly focus on the race later this summer. We don't want him to look like all he is focused on is winning reelection- he has already taken heat for apprearing (to the liberal press) at "too many" fundraisers.

I know it gets frustrating watching our man take hit after hit and not respond, but I firmly believe what I have outlined is the strategy. Karl Rove, and our president as well, are very political animals and they know how the game is played. Give them enough rope- get them far enough down the road- and then WHACK! cinch the rope and put up a road block so they can't turn back. Right now we are just biding time, and that's the prudent thing to do.

[yoe]

Your argument is valid accept for one, more than obvious, thing...none of these early birds are supposed to actually get the nomination; they are in effect the trial balloons to see which way the country will lean so the stealth campaigner/book signer sometimes senator from New York, will be drafted if they, the lot of them can pull President Bush’s numbers way down and that is what their propagandists and spinners are doing. Tell a lie often enough and.... this is what is happening. No one in their right mind would vote for a man who is again slamming the American Military – with a war going on...John Kerry is rallying the tired and old “at the barricades-hate-America-&-hate-the-military” and joined by some new activists taught by the ‘70s ‘80s teachers. It will blow up in their face but then we will have Mrs. Clinton to deal with – so better bring in her anti-war, anti-American past now.

Nothing would make me happier than to have some of our battle worn and tired GIs step up to the plate and let Senator Hanoi Kerry have it right in the kisser and on camera!

GOD, BLESS OUR TROOPS, THEY ARE MAGNIFICENT!!

[HighWheeler]

I understand Cal's concern, but you don't want to waste your ammo on the wrong target, nor waste is shooting from this distance (to September, 2004).

Bush is a supreme master of patience and sandbagging.

The RAT candidate will be minced in due time.

[lawgirl]

You know what? I am not convinced Hitlery is going to run. Look at the way that the country responded to algore, who had a small connection to Clinton compared to Hitlery. The american people sent him a pretty loud HELL NO! and he decided not to run. I can't see her trying to upend a war president-it's not a good bet. Trying to fight a NEW republican in 2008 make a lot more sense. She has not even been a senator that long- what qualifications does she have except being first lady? I just don't see it.

However, let me say for the record I take nothing for granted when it comes to her!!

[HighWheeler]

Hey lawgirl, I think there are two scenarios and you seem to have hit one on target.

The other will be that Hitlery would trash out whoever is the 2004 candidate near the convention, IF the polls look "weak" enough for Bush. If she takes the 2004 nomination, she becomes the de facto leader of the RATS for 4 years, and the nearly automatic candidate for 2008. She wouldn't have to spend a lot to be nominated either. She will already be 62 or so by 2008 and har last chance to turn America into her commmunist hell.

The reason I think she will run in 2004 is her low chance of re-gaining her senate seat (as WIIIIIDE as it is), especially if Rudy runs against her - in which case she will go into 2008 primaries as a recent LOOOOOSER.

[ohioWfan]

Bush 43, like his father, has become arrogant and will not take ANY advice if it does not spring from the lips of Karl Rove.

And you know this because..............??

You are a member of the White House inner circle, I take it.......

Oh, and btw, the President doesn't have to 'woo' his base. He still has over 90% approval among Republicans........his BASE.

[ohioWfan]

Not to mention, W needs to focus on running our country and can really truly focus on the race later this summer.

THIS is the bottom line, lawgirl.

Our very survival depends on President Bush's concentrating on the task at hand, and that's exactly what he's doing.

The RATS are slitting their own throats with the ludicrous accusations they've been making lately.........and the President has the patience to quietly watch them do it.

[DustyMoment]

"And you know this because..............??"

Because I'm really smart and I read . . . A LOT!!!

[ohioWfan]

Yes.....it's OBVIOUS you read.........the NY Times, Time and Newsweek magazines, the DNC talking points.........

[DustyMoment]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1065774/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1069298/posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1060012/posts

[ohioWfan]

Bush 43, like his father, has become arrogant and will not take ANY advice if it does not spring from the lips of Karl Rove.

Excuse me, but NONE of those links support this statement of yours. They are articles about legitimate concerns that conservatives have about the President's spending.

Your accusation that Bush is a puppet of Rove is leftist propaganda, and if you believe it, you have been outed......

[lainde]

Thanks and BTTT!

[DustyMoment]

Oh PUH - LEEEEEZZZZZZEEEEEE!!!!

[ohioWfan]

Good answer. Well thought out response.

Nice talking with you, Dusty.

[VOA]

It's not time yet.
Bush knows it.

I think you are probably right.
But I can understand folks' anxiety...it's like they are the French Legion troops
just before that climatic battle in the Gene Hackman movie "March Or Die".
It may not be here just yet...but a lot of us would be like Hackman's junior officer
who nervously says "Sir, ze order?...", hoping his commander will say "ATTACK!".

Dubya-Rove are awaiting "THE" moment.

I just hope it includes lots of great "component" moments, such as announcing
that we've captured Osama and he's bunking with Saddam.