Peggy Noonan: The Paragraph- Help the White House make the case for re-election

Opinion Journal ^ | 02/12/04 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

When you are a conservative and tend to support conservatives, it will come as a surprise, and an unwelcome one, when you ding one, as I dinged President Bush the other day about his "Meet the Press" performance. Of those who responded, about 60% disagreed with me, and the rest were more or less in agreement. Many of those who disagreed with me said they thought the president had done well with Tim Russert, that the interview made clear his decency and sincerity. Others said I was kicking the president when he's down and that's the problem with conservative pundits, they can't be trusted. My answer is the obvious one: It is the job of a writer to write the truth as he sees it, and if it's an uncomfortable truth, then so be it.

[Always Right]

Wasn't elegant, but it hit the themes that need to be hit.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Every good athlete fears losing. That's what motivates them and keeps them sharp. They don't want to be the one who is the goat of the game for some blunder. It makes for winning teams.

[gobucks]

... but to ignore where we are weak among ourselves is folly.

Folly indeed. Well spoken, and I'm guessing infantry duty really helps clarify this particular outlook .... an outlook that is missing too much here at FR.

[Godfollow]

Probably the biggest blow to the Conservative base was the immigration thing... it suggests that the president is more concerned with the Hispanic vote than the security of US borders.

The deficit is forgivable... at least most of it. And no WMDs in Iraq for some is a relief, no problem there. But the immigration thing no matter how rational, and if your trying to get a handle on the number of illegals in the US is probably half rational, doesn't play well unless you show some toughness at the borders. And Bush has nary said a word about tightening the borders, except to say that we have better technology. This frosts Conservatives.

I know Bush wants to make nice to V. Fox of Mexico, but the way he is doing it shows that he takes his base for granted... yah, most of us will be there, but we'd rather be there cheering, not in our present funk.

Mr. President, you can do what you think is right, but you can't cut your nose of to spite your face. Drop the immigration thing, just say you've studied the issue and it is unworkable and that illegals and their employers will have to be dealt with in a different way... deal with it after the election, show that you are concerned about protecting the borders, and say it often and say it loud. Perhaps you've decided that you'll pick up more Hispanic votes, than you'll loose conservatives votes... is that any way to treat your base?

[Prodigal Son]

nd I'm guessing infantry duty really helps clarify this particular outlook ....

Yeah, perhaps. If you're exposed to fire you're going to get shot. Pretending you're bullet proof isn't a remedy.

[gobucks]

That was outstanding! I'm not kidding, that is a great patrotic poem, and nicely old fashioned sounding too. (There's lots of 'old' fashions that need to be renewed.)

[Galtoid]

I disagree with Peggy's assertion that Bush needs a NEW paragraph. Bush should stick to the old playbook, and remind voters ever so gently, how he kept this country unified after 9/11. Voters can indeed fall in love with him again, and they will once John Kerry's philosophy is fully revealed. Playing up the attacks for political benefit might be a disgraceful thing to do, but given Kerry's position that we should cede our national security to the United Nations, is all voters really need. We have a choice, and for me, it's crystal clear. The choice isn't dependent on any NEW catchphrase or slick slogan. Noonan is wrong. Bush needs no last minute redecorating for this voter.

[Howlin]

I'd love to know why you pinged me to this post.

[Paul C. Jesup]

And IF the president isn't reelected, the vast majority on FR,who DO support his reelection will remember you and your ilk. We'll hold YOU accountable and never let you forget your Bushbashing.

And if Bush is elected and we slide into a third world hell hole, we will remember YOU for helping to making it possible.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks. My poems are a little too rhymey for the artsy crowd. But they get my thoughts expressed quite nicely.

CG

[7thson]

Actually, I was not writing a paragraph. Instead, I simply placed down my thoughts on what needs to be stressed to the American public. I did not realize you are the official grader. Anyway, here is a quick stab at what I suggested.

Since the conception of our nation, America and American's embody the desire for freedom. Our founding document, the Declaration of Independence, stated a bold and revolutionary idea - that men are not granted rights from other men or from pieces of paper. All of us are granted our rights by our Creator. The desire to live free and unchained is written on not just the hearts of Americans, but on every man, woman, and child throughout the world. No one has the right to deny freedom to any living soul. Throughout our history, our nation has not been perfect. However, we attempt to live up to our ideals and purpose not just by what we say but also by what we do. We have suffered Civil War to free a segment of our citizens. We have fought the barons of industry by creating laws that freed our children from harmful working conditions. We sailed across two oceans to return freedom to nations under the heel of tolitarian regimes. We engaged an evil empire that enslaved nations. We fought for freedoms that certain citizens were denied in our own country. In all these battles, at times we stumbled but the vision never wavered, the goal that people were able to live in freedom to choose their own path. Now, we face an enemy that threatens not only our own freedoms, but the freedom of other nations. The United States is the land of freedom and we must lead to ensure that the American Dream - the dream of freedom - becomes the reality of the world.

Anyway, something along those lines. Thise was just off the top of my head.

[Mo1]

Not that I hadn't heard it before, I had, we all have, but I thought it was spin. I didn't know it was really true. When I worked for Mr. Reagan I was there till 11 p.m. Anyway, what the aide said seemed so sane and moderate I didn't know whether I wanted to compliment him or smack him. He was rather priggish, but it sounded like he was doing everything right

Get over yourself Peggy ... Some folks don't need to work late at night and hang out at bar to get the job done

This isn't the 1970' or the 80's

[Miss Marple]

Well, here's my opinion. If Peggy Noonan wanted to help, she could have forwarded her opinions to the White House. Calling him bumbling on the pages of the Wall Street Journal is not help; it is providing the enemy with ammunition and sowing fear amongst the troops, which she has compounded with her second column.

If she is a columnist paid for her opinions and she cares nothing about what effect her opinions have, that is fine. But to tell me that I should respect her as an ally while she does things like this is patently foolish. An ally doesn't do this.

Now, as far as the paragraph she has requested, here is mine:

When our nation came under attack on September 11, one man held this nation together and ralllied us to fight back. He did it through the sheer force of his character. He has held faithful through the fears of the timid, the attacks of those who would take his place, the rants of those who demand perfection. He has defended this nation and her people without apology and without pretense. He has held his office with honor, and has called forth the good and generous spirit of the American people. He deserves reelection because he is the president we need.

[Prodigal Son]

And if Bush is elected and we slide into a third world hell hole

Is that your biggest concern?

Note, I'm not belittling this concern. I can sympathize with it.

But honestly, the US isn't going to become a third world hellhole in your lifetime or the lifetime of your children. If you believe that, it makes me wonder if you have actually ever been to a third world hellhole.

Your biggest worry is whether your city gets nuked or not. Whether you believe that or not is moot. It's the truth. If you think Kerry will deal with that problem better, fine. Vote for him.

[gobucks]

Your criticism of miss peggy is quite fair. I'm grinning though ... your paragraph was smooth, polished. And better than mine. THANKS!!

[Mo1]

The fact is this, Bush keeps his powder dry until the dem nominee gets his footing and starts his own momentum. Then Bush the baseball player, the fighter pilot, the Texas hunter, nails his target right in the heart. Lay low in the bush and let the prey come to you, don't shoot wildly.

One would think that some have would learned something from this President in the last 3 years

But noooooooooooooooooooooo

[thesummerwind]

I have always appreciated Peggy Noonan's brilliant gift for writing.

You might like what I think was one of her best and most important essays from November 24, 2000 - "Now We Must Fight For Our Country". She wrote it in the middle of 'The Seven Weeks of Hell' after the 2000 election. It was remarkable, and very much needed for the Bush victory!

[roses of sharon]

Excellant! I too fight everyday, all day.

I strike up conversations with strangers in the check out lines, and with the cashiers. Little "did you know" things.

Little tid-bits work well, little praises for Bush, (being a good man, protecting us, connecting dots, Saddam's crimes), Bush's refusal to argue with Dems, (people seem to like that about him), little smears of dems (dissing our soldiers), and giving some good info they may not know, about Iraq, and the great things our soldiers are doing there.

Also, I take my conservative mags into all waiting rooms, ie, salon, dr, dentist, dealerships, anywhere. (with 3 kids, I'm there alot).

Keep it lighthearted, and people become interested.

[gobucks]

I liked what came off the top.

I did not realize you are the official grader.

LOL! Heck no I'm not the official 'grader'. I rarely criticize my fellow freepers in truth. But, this thread was just not where is should have been given who we all really are here at FR. Wasn't intending to ruffle feathers.

I simply love FR, and I trust Bush. And we should be helping him. That's it.

[gobucks]

But noooooooooooooooooooooo

I couldn't agree more.