Posted on 03/03/2004 9:29:10 AM PST by optimistically_conservative
People like me make up a bloc of sorts for this president, too: call it the "war base," perhaps. But I have found that the President's clarity of vision following 9/11 has not been maintained as the news cycle bogs down over the many months with Iraq and its reconstruction.USS Clueless on WoT.
Saying "I'm a war president" is different from being a war president. Bush "talks the talk" but is he satisfying his "war base" that he is "walking the walk"?
Really? What have we accomplished? Which battles have we won? What is the strength of AQ and international terrorism now? Are we winning, losing, or locked in a deadly struggle being played out by proxy in Iraq and Afghanistan?
His SOTU flopped and MTP interview lacked any muster. He has been on the defensive for months on the war, jobs and the economy. He has not appeared as a wartime leader in a long time. He has allowed his opposition to define the issues.
"The problem is that the public doesn't feel as if we are at war."
While it is true that the Prez. is a wartime president and he is acting like one, the public cannot connect his statements and actions with their experience.
If this is true, it will hurt Bush as more people say to themselves, "What war?" Consequently, Kerry (aka Herman Munster without the humor) will keep harping on economic issues like jobs outsourcing, jobless recovery, you name it.
I don't know if this will turn out to be true or if this will hurt Bush. Just my observations.
Here are some better questions for you:
1. Is the Taliban now OUT OF POWER in Afghanistan?
2. Has Hussein been been REMOVED FROM POWER in Iraq?
3. Is the Hussein regime totally eliminated (by capture or death) from power in Iraq?
4. How many attacks has al qaeda successfully carried out on American soil since 9/11/01?
Here are the answers to your questions:
What have we accomplished? We have defeated and eliminated two oppressive, totalitarian, terrorist-sponsoring regimes from power and in doing so gotten the attention and cooperation of several others.
Which battles have we won? Battles of Kabul, Baghdad, Mosul, and several others.
What is the strength of AQ and international terrorism now? Severely diminished, running for cover, hiding and afraid to show their faces. Funds have been curtailed; recruiting efforts are hampered. Their activities and attacks are limited for the most part to third world hellholes and not against private American citizens' interests.
Are we winning, losing, or locked in a deadly struggle being played out by proxy in Iraq and Afghanistan?Afghanistan has a new constitution and a new government, and our presence there will be reduced over the next several months and years. Iraq is forming its own government with our assistance. We are clearly winning the struggle there, and, while neither of these countries are likely to become a top tourism destination anytime soon, our efforts will continue to provide opportunities for more freedom and improved conditions in the middle east.
All we had to do was:
1. Tell Khadaffi "Do it for the Dubyafather."
2. When he balked, we left the head of his favorite camel in his bed.
The removal of a Dictator in Iraq, removal of a repressive regime in Afganistan, admissions by Lybia and Iran of illegal Nuclear Programs, a stabilization in the Kashmir situation, and the crackdown of the Abu Sayef group in the Philippines.
Which battles have we won?
Every single one we have fought.
What is the strength of AQ and international terrorism now?
Waning, and waning faster every day. The war on terror has also had a chilling effect on many other terrorist groups outside the Middle East. When was the last time a Tamil bomb blew up in Columbo, or an IRA bomb exploded in Belfast? Terrorists know they cannot hide behind very many governments, and cannot remain anonymous. Their strongest days are behind them, and they are running out of room to hide.
Are we winning, losing, or locked in a deadly struggle being played out by proxy in Iraq and Afghanistan?
Do you even know what the word "proxy" means? We have our own troops there, and we are winning.
Don't see how you can question GW's record on this one.
More to the point is 'saying'. . .ala John Kerry. . .Clinton or any Democrat; and 'being' ala George Bush, offers a clear distinction of what it means to have a genuine leader.
Except for the Southeastern region, yes.
Has Hussein been been REMOVED FROM POWER in Iraq?
Yes, and although that's been something I've wanted for more than a decade, it has become a liability for the President unless/until a tie between him/his administration and AQ can be shown. Currently there are attempts to tie Zarqawi to to him.
Is the Hussein regime totally eliminated (by capture or death) from power in Iraq?
No, unless you believe the continuing violence in Iraq is solely the function of foreign terrorists. I'd consider saying yes once we have Izzat Ibrahim al-Douri.
How many attacks has al qaeda successfully carried out on American soil since 9/11/01?
Two problems with this question. How many have been stopped? What do you say when it happens tomorrow? Are we better prepared than we were 30 years ago?
Severely diminished, running for cover, hiding and afraid to show their faces. Funds have been curtailed; recruiting efforts are hampered. Their activities and attacks are limited for the most part to third world hellholes and not against private American citizens' interests.
Source please.
GHWBush lost with that campaign slogan.
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