In wartime, U.S. needs Bush as leader (Oklahoman Endorses President George W. Bush)

The Oklahoman ^ | October 24, 2004 | The Editorial Board

[PhiKapMom]

In wartime, U.S. needs Bush as leader

Oklahoman Editorial

IN THE presidential election of 1864, Americans buffeted throughout the summer by accounts of horrific battles and staggering casualties re-elected Abraham Lincoln. They did so despite awful carnage at places like the Wilderness, Spotsylvania and Cold Harbor, each of which cost thousands of Union soldiers killed and wounded. They did so despite charges from Lincoln's opponents that he was incompetent and that his top general was a butcher. Hesitant to change course in the middle of the Civil War, voters stuck with Lincoln and launched a tradition of Americans supporting incumbents running for re-election while the country is at war.

The current war on terror isn't the same as the Civil War, and not even President Bush's best admirers would rank him with Lincoln. Yet Bush has comparable qualities we think merit his re-election in the midst of this war: clear vision, courage to make difficult decisions and steadfastness to lead in the face of adversity. While there are other issues being weighed in the campaign, none is more important than which candidate will best protect America from the global terrorist threat.

Arguably, the country is safer than it was right after the 9/11 attacks. In our view there has not been another 9/11 because of Bush's determination to engage the terrorists where they live or are enabled, as well as his diligence in strengthening homeland security. The country is not yet safe, but Bush's unwavering leadership offers the best hope for security.

Sen. John Kerry is a serious candidate with considerable intelligence and experience. But we disagree with his worldview and are concerned by his meandering approach to winning the war. While Kerry would react strongly to any new attack, his talk of passing a "global test" before pre-emptively going after terrorists, his stated hope that terrorism can be returned to a "nuisance" level and his preoccupation with keeping foreign governments happy, we think, reveals a pre-9/11 view that offers no plan to defeat an enemy determined to overcome the United States -- or die trying.

Bush's "weed and seed" doctrine of taking the fight to terrorists where they live and the planting of democratic principles seem to us the only long-range strategy against such a foe.

The going is tough and costly. The Iraq front is troubling and tests the nation's resolve. Erstwhile allies doubt Bush's choices, the war has its tactical flaws and the enemy uses terror tactics designed to crack America's will.

Altogether, they are circumstances that test a leader, a true definition of which must be the willingness to do what's best for America and to go forward even if, at times, not all of America's friends are ready to follow.

The 9/11 attacks dawned a new era in which American security interests must trump all other concerns. It requires a president who understands the stakes and has the guts to lead through difficulty. George W. Bush is that kind of a leader, and The Oklahoman endorses his bid for re-election.

[PhiKapMom]

This is no surprise but it was nice to see in print this morning. Thanks to the Oklahoman Editorial Board for getting right!

[PhiKapMom]

FYI! Great morning to read the Editorial Page here in Oklahoma!

[okstate]

Now I know that the Tulsa World endorsed Bush.

[VOA]

The 9/11 attacks dawned a new era in which American security interests must
trump all other concerns.

About a hundred years ago, Europe had to figure out how to deal with the collapse
of a broken system called the Ottoman Empire.

Today, The Coalition of The Willing realizes that we've got to deal with the
chaos of the breakdown of Islamic culture beyond the borders of
what was left of the Ottoman Empire (e.g., Turkey).

The rest of the civilized world outside of The Coalition is simply in denial.

[SoDak]

The Sioux Falls Argus Leader, circulation in the 50 to 60K range, one week after endorsing Tom Daschle (no surprise) for Senate, endorsed George W. Bush for President (surprise). This paper endorsed Gore in 2000. It leans markedly left. Will wonders never cease. If anyone is interested, link is HERE

[MeekOneGOP]

Yay!!

Go, Dubya, go !!

Hear the Donkey Bray
(RealPlayer)

[Expletive deleted] !!!

[dmw]

When I moved here to OK from Minneapolis (liberal) and previous to that Seattle (liberal) and prior to that San Diego, CA (liberal) it was a refreshing change to be able to read a newspaper that was more fair and balanced in their reporting. The editorials are mostly on the conservative side. But the one thing that absolutely made my jaw drop is the fact that each day on the front page of the Daily Oklahoman they print a daily prayer. I wonder how many other newspapers do that? Culturally, Oklahoma doesn't compare to some of the larger cities in America but it is a really wonderful place to raise a family.

[Okies love Dubya 2]

Hello fellow Okie! I think my childhood city, Indianapolis, still runs a prayer on the front page of the Indianapolis Star every day, but I am not sure. My brother-in-law says the paper has become a bit more liberal over the years.

I agree OK is a great place to raise a family--we have been here for four years.

[VOA]

When I moved here to OK from Minneapolis (liberal)

I grew up in Ponca City, OK; my brother went to U. Minn-St. Paul to
get his M.S., so I know what you are talking about.

The religional tone can be a bit over the top in OK, but taken on balance
beats the depraved sectors of the USA (IMHO).

Go Dubya, Go Coburn!!!

[PhiKapMom]

Thought this editorial was really good but no surprise since they had been supporting Pres Bush a lot in this campaign and going after Kerry. They get it unlike some other newspapers.

[VOA]

Culturally, Oklahoma doesn't compare to some of the larger cities in America but
it is a really wonderful place to raise a family.

Yes, OK may be a bit off the beaten path.
But there is "hidden" and subtle beauty.
The Philbrook in Tulsa has some nice art exhibits occassionally and the Gilcrease
has a great collection of Indian art/artifacts.

By Bartlesville, the Woolaroc Museum has lots of interesting artifacts from
the Phillips oil family...and the J.M. Davis gun museum (in Claremore?) is outstanding.

I was the product of a "mixed marriage", a fairly cultured mother
from Kansas and a son-of-the-soil Okie father. My mom did complain a lot about the
atmospherics of Oklahoma; only after I was grown a bit did I realize she'd
just not been "seeking and finding" enough.

Another nice thing about Oklahoma...depending on where you live, you can get to
Dallas/Ft. Worth, Wichita, Kansas City or Denver in a day's drive for the
big-events.
And at the same time you don't have to deal with the madness of metropolitan
living on a day to day basis.

There are parts of the Great West where that's more of a challenge.

[jbstrick]

Boomer Sooner!

[jbstrick]

"I grew up in Ponca City, OK"

Go Wildcats! I graduated from PO-HI in 1987. It's still a great place to be. I am living in Bartlesvill now.

[dmw]

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
SOOOOOOOOOOOOOONERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!

Hey Okies, ready for the OU/OSU game next week? Any predictions?

[dmw]

I agree. Oklahoma is the state to watch and we are growing and making progress in many areas. OKC is experiencing a great downtown revival and the MAPS development is just amazing with Bricktown and the great things that are going on. In a few years I believe OKC will be a destination much like San Antonio and it appears that Tulsa will have much more to offer in the coming years as well with their new downtown development program. As long as we keep getting new Starbuck stores here I am a happy camper!!!

[Victoria Delsoul]

While Kerry would react strongly to any new attack, his talk of passing a "global test" before pre-emptively going after terrorists, his stated hope that terrorism can be returned to a "nuisance" level and his preoccupation with keeping foreign governments happy, we think, reveals a pre-9/11 view that offers no plan to defeat an enemy determined to overcome the United States -- or die trying.

Bush's "weed and seed" doctrine of taking the fight to terrorists where they live and the planting of democratic principles seem to us the only long-range strategy against such a foe.

I agree. Kerry's plan to defeat the enemy is agreeing with France and Germany how best to fight the war on terror.

[PhiKapMom]

Boomer Sooner back at you! Yesterday they were handing out shirts -- Sooners for Bush-Cheney on the front and Sooners for Coburn on the back with the Sooner Schooner all in Crimson and white. Dr. Coburn sponsored a BBQ at the Republican tent so there were free hamburgers as well.

We passed out a lot of Bush-Cheney and Sooners for Coburn and didn't see hardly any Carson stickers and none for Kerry. Almost all the Kerry-Edwards signs are on the yards of rental properties except for a few diehard liberals here in Norman.

[blackie]

Right-On ~ Bump!

~~ Bush/Cheney 2004 ~~

[KingNo155]

Bump! any threads listing all Bush's Newspaper endorsement's?

[dsc]

I grew up in Del City, Midwest City, Choctaw, and OKC, and couldn't wait to get away.

Now I long to get back.