Republicans send a message to the world

The Telegraph (U.K.) ^ | 08/31/04 | Leader

[Pokey78]

The mass protests in New York against President George W Bush, coinciding with the opening of the Republican convention, were impressive in size, but do not tell us anything we did not already know. Mr Bush is not popular in New York, where four years ago he was outpolled by Al Gore, his unsuccessful Democratic opponent, by a margin of four to one.

Holding the Republican convention in New York for the first time ever was always going to invite mass protest. New York's police department should be congratulated for its restrained response to the marchers; the organisers of the various protests deserve praise, too, for ensuring that the rallies were for the most part peaceful and good-natured.

American political conventions are often dismissed on this side of the Atlantic as ridiculous, made-for-television theatre, but there is a very serious debate going on in New York this week about how America, and its allies, can be made safer from terrorist threats.

Mr Bush and his party have the attention of the nation in the next few days to present clear proposals about how the campaign against terrorism should proceed. America and its allies need to know if he has been discouraged by the stiffer-than-expected resistance in Iraq. Mr Bush must explain whether Iran and North Korea remain grave and pressing threats to international security, and, if they do, how he intends to act against them.

In other words, Mr Bush must make it clear that he remains the leader of a resolute mission to defeat Islamist terrorism, not a man who will simply react to the next atrocity, or crank up spending on homeland security to give Americans the illusion of safety.

We would also hope that Mr Bush will talk about how he proposes to rebuild links with European capitals, and to repair some of the unnecessary damage that has been done to relationships with governments damaged by casual neglect. Tariffs on European steel producers exporting to America were a blatant ploy to gain support in marginal states, and did not do justice to a strong Atlanticist Republican president.

There were many easier options to pick as a venue for the Republican convention. Many smaller cities could much more easily have been protected from terrorist attack and mass protest. By choosing New York for their party's convention, and assuming all the extra security requirements that that choice implied, Republicans have sent a clear signal to America's enemies.

The United States will do what it takes to defeat the terrorist threat. That is a good message for the ruling party to be sending into the nation's living-rooms - and far beyond.

[nov7freedomday]

Beat me by 5 minutes. I am very slow at posting

[fuzzy122]

Whooo-raaah!!!

MEGA-

Stay Strong
Fuzzy

[nov7freedomday]

And apparently my aim is off (please disregard my previous message)

[concerned about politics]

The mass protests in New York

They came, they went, and there's a mess to clean up. Typical liberals.

The protest won't be remembered, but the fact that thousands of citizens gathered together in NYC without the fear of a terrorist attack, will. Go Bush!

[sandlady]

there's a mess to clean up

And NY (majority Democrat) will have to clean up after themselves!! Apologies to the smaller, more conservative NY population.... :)

[knarf]

Our president is absolutely brilliant !

He chose New Yawk city because it is there that he has the most security and the most support ... especially from the police and fire depts.

Let the talking heads try to word and spin it any other way, but President Bush is figuratively sticking it to the bwitch in particular and the dims generally by convening in NYC.

Guliani, Zell Miller, Ahhhnold, etc. every one of these speak of overwhelming support for our President.

The dims are toast !

[Logical me]

I think President Bush will do his job, don't worry. Democrats have to defend themselves any way then can, but plugging the streets with all their signs, etc,. describes their ignorance.

[hershey]

Thanks for posting this, and thanks to The Telegraph for understanding what this is all about.

[VisualizeSmallerGovernment]

Tariffs on European steel producers exporting to America were a blatant ploy to gain support in marginal states, and did not do justice to a strong Atlanticist Republican president.

I'm guessing that is not going to be the first sentence in Bush's acceptance speech Thursday.

[concerned about politics]

but plugging the streets with all their signs, etc,. describes their ignorance.

Fox just reported some group is advocating civil disobedience from Kerry supporters.
The police say they expected it, and they're ready.
NYC might actually get a good look at what they've been voting for all these years. Kooks!

[Nick Danger]

We would also hope that Mr Bush will talk about how he proposes to rebuild links with European capitals

Nothing can really happen to improve things until the "European capitals" get whacked a few times. Spain took one train bomb and caved in to terrorists. Couple more bombs, and they'll get the picture.

Maybe heads have to roll in this French journalist thing, and maybe some Atta Boys have to fly an Airbus into the Eiffel Tower before the French "get it."

We can wait.

[1066AD]

In other words, Mr Bush must make it clear that he remains the leader of a resolute mission to defeat Islamist terrorism,
Yes, he will.

....not a man who will simply react to the next atrocity, or crank up spending on homeland security to give Americans the illusion of safety.
That's JK/JE.

[Tom Bombadil]

repair some of the unnecessary damage

Yeah, Bush is a real cowboy isn't he?

Offending Europeans is just so.........so.........unecessary.