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.

[Snuffington]

I honestly do not know why Peggy gets paid any money at all.

Because she writes beautifully, has extensive political experience, and people are willing to pay to read her opinion?

[NordP]

Peggy - I think that Bush's supporters should get a chance to speak FOR him.

Anyone who listens to Ruth, who was on Rush's show a couple of days ago, understands the man we believe in, and how very much we know he MUST stay in office. I want a future. I too, want it done, and want it done now. The cause is noble and the war is just...and our future and the future of those we love depends upon our national backbone, our resolve, and our victory.

Listen to the voice of America. Listen to Ruth speak for the Nation, and perhaps, for George W. Bush, too...

(sorry, you'll have to cut and paste)http://www.dallas.net/~jvpoll/politics/RoseInRuthfordNJ_Rush040209f.ram

Maybe they can cut portions of what she has to say into segments for a "series" type ad. After all, selling your message effectively means putting "your product" into the hands of those would be buyers, and telling them what it's going to mean to them. Rose captures the facts, and the feelings--spelling it all out beautifully.

NordP

[SAR1]

Yeah keep talking and when Bush is not reelected and you are in shock think about why.

[IGOTMINE]

That just rings true!

[america-rules]

"Scared most people out of the market who are now so afraid to get back in"

Actually investment in stocks went to a record high last week :)

Today Greenspan said the economy is in very good shape and jobs will be added for sure !

[Burkeman1]

You are being charitable to Bush about his performance on Sunday. It was terrible. Why freepers are going insane against Noonan for pointing out the obvious is puzzling. She is not the only conservative to say so. Check out NRO's daily Blog. How about George Will? I was shocked at how poorly he performed. When asked about the WMD and how they haven't been found and what he would say to the families of the dead American troops-- he stuttered and went on an incoherent tirade that included even AIDS in Africa. If I were the parent of a dead trooper in Iraq and I saw and heard that answer as to why we are in Iraq? I think I would vomit.

[Vision Thing]

Stocks bottomed out a couple of months before the 2002 elections, but the bear market did not hurt the GOP, which won elections in Congress and state governments.

Stock market losses were not a politically damaging issue to the GOP back then. And now that stock market losses are a thing of the past, they will not be an issue in 2004.

[Porterville]

I haven't seen a pundant worth a load of garbage in a long time. The only person I have seen worth their salt lately that wasn't the President is Colin Powell ready to rip the throat out of some foppish congressman.... now thats comedy!!!

[Porterville]

One question, what party will be on the run tomorrow morning? I bet you it is not the Republicans.

[SAR1]

You may be right but I dont trust Greenspan

[DouglasKC]

The Bush Mission Statement:

"Nearly 3 1/2 years ago, we were attacked on American soil by an enemy who had grown to believe that American Presidents were interested in nothing more than blow dried hair and blow jobs. Because of this attack, our economy faltered and our way of life was threatened. Since that time, by the grace of God and the foresight of this administration, our economy has rebounded to record levels and our citizens are safe and secure. I pledge to continue to secure our country so that our economy can grow."

[Burkeman1]

That depends. Why is the "National Guard" story still an issue when it was fully covered 4 years ago? The media is still largely in liberal hands.

[Snuffington]

I haven't seen a pundant worth a load of garbage in a long time.

Well if YOU think so, I guess we should all just agree.

Seriously, do you think your opinion carries more weight than Peggy's? Or are you included with the rest of the "garbage"?

[SAR1]

9-11 and the Bush coattails got us the house and senate in 2002, which was truely a great thing. But we have not capitalized on it, not transformed the country the way it should have been with that much clout and power. The rupublicans should have done more. Not everyone has profited from this stock market runup and there is where the resentment will come from.You will see.

[Always Right]

You are being charitable to Bush about his performance on Sunday. It was terrible. Why freepers are going insane against Noonan for pointing out the obvious is puzzling.

I disagree on the point it was terrible as I don't think he made any major gaffs. Bush made a few points in his speech, he just missed so many others. But I totally agree with you about Peggy, it is like so many people on this forum have no clue who Peggy is. She is not just some idiot columnist.

[jraven]

The paragraph I'd like to hear from the White House is this:
PEGGY NOONAN WILL YOU PLEASE SHUT UP.

[lainde]

Peggy bttt!

[NordP]

Well said.

Just need to add one thing...

Without a tomorrow....

the economy discussion, Bush's dental records proving he was in Alabama, the Meet the Press interview, etc., etc., etc., are all mute points.

NordP

[Porterville]

Give me one pundant that knew more than a third of the information that is true/relevant/prescient that the FR as a whole is able to gather??? Name one??? There is only one writer I can think of, Mark Steyn...

[SAR1]

All well and good but noonan makes sense.Bush has got to be more eloquent and sure of himself. When he makes a speech he is good when it is well prepared. But when he talks off the cuff he seems very unsure of himself and his words are dreadful sometime. Sometimes I cringe when listening to him.