Fight Back, Mr. President: Shouldn't the president defend his honor?

Weekly Standard ^ | William Kristol

[AmusedBystander]

Bush's base is conservative Republicans, and when he starts acting like a RINO to appease Democrats or avoid a fight, we'll "desert" him again by chewing his azz out!

I believe W has stayed pretty close to his campaign promises. You are the one who had hoped for someone else. Bush is what he is.

[onyx]

Absolutely agree --- a new WH press secretary is needed. And fast.

[Patriotic Bostonian]

Never said I agreed with everything he does. Some of you new posters seem to want miracles from this man.

[SevenMinusOne]

the administration paid a price for its virtual silence on Iraq during the spring and much of the summer. Now the administration seems to understand not just that they have to do everything they can to win in Iraq--but also that they must make, and remake, the case for the war. Do they also realize that they have to aggressively--not to say indignantly--confront the "Bush lied" charge now emanating from leaders in the Democratic party?

Kristol is a fool - But the above comments are dead on - The WH (and RNC) have completely dropped the ball in the PR war regarding the GWOT - They have been pathetically lazy while at the same time asking our soldiers to fight 24/7.

[Rokke]

DevSix, you are a smart man with good insight. Exactly what can the WH and RNC do with regard to the PR war and Iraq that they aren't already doing? Remember, they don't own the media.

[Patriotic Bostonian]

President Bush is not afraid of anything! Go away -- you are a PAIN IN THE ASS!

[Dave S]

Why the hell did he not fight back on this???? He really needs to ally himself with Weldon and really press this Able Danger agenda. These Rats need to pay for their treason. This is pathetic!!!

Did you happen to listen to Rush today. You sound like what he spoke of today about why the libs in congress were doing stupid things like taking the senate into closed session, etc. It was to pull the wool over the eyes of their stupid base. To make it appear that they were doing something.

[laredo44]

Fight Back, Mr. President: Shouldn't the president defend his honor?

In the 1988 Presidential debates, Bernhard Shaw (I think) asked Dukakis about his opposition to the death penalty by phrasing a hypothetical wherein Kitty was raped and murdered, and wouldn't Mike sing a different tune under those circumstances?

Dukakis's milquetoast response branded him as a limp-wristed, turn-the-other-cheek pacifist.

Bush had better watch out his can't-we-all-just-get-along approach to the Democrats doesn't get him a place next to Mikey.

[Between the Lines]

The Miers episode did more damage than one might have expected.

I think he should take heart in the excellent Supreme Court pick, and know his base is behind him now that he's returned to his promise.

The "Miers episode" did more good for Bush than harm. It reminded him that he has a conservative mandate and that his base is willing to go to the mat and do what it takes to win.

I think it also sent the same clear message to the Republicans in the Senate. At least Lindsey Graham seems to have gotten the message.

[Dave S]

He's more then likely a DUmmie who can't stand the stench from over there

The classic line of one who has nothing substantive to say. Kind of like shouting Nazi. Totally berift of thought.

[colorado tanker]

Bush hasn't fought for any of his judicial picks yet. This would be a good time to start.

[Rosemont]

Part of the problem is the WEAK Republican Senate leadership. Frist's response to Harry Reid, himself a weakling, was pathetic.

[Between the Lines]

very serious charges are being thrown against the admin on a daily basis, concerning things that have already been investigated and settled, with no evidence that the admin lied about or coerced intelligence, and the White House is letting the critics go unchallenged.

If the White House were to respond to every charge the media put up against him, that would be all they would have time to do.

[Dave S]

Bush DID make a pretty good WOT speech about two months ago, but the media basically ignored it.

[Patriot from Philly]

I will not get in a name calling contest with you. I'll dispute you on the facts.

Apparently, we are not doing enough in either Syria or Iran because insurgents continue to pour across the border from Syria and just today, we announced that explosives are coming from Iran. That may account for the increase in deaths of our troops by IED's in October.

You need to realize that if Bush continues to slide in the polls he will lose his effectiveness with our allies, with the American people, with the Republicans in Congress. He will also lose the fear of his enemies...that has started already. I've never seen more disrespect from the opposition party as demonstrated this week.

The media may be losing readership, but the Internet is picking up readership. Do you look at the Yahoo homepage, AP and Reuters, that's what people see.

Bush did reject the International Criminal Court but the Madrid case is an example of the legal jeopardy our soldiers face. I would have preferred that the ambassador remind our Spanish friends that the US has an American Service member Protection Act and will enforce it. Or advise them that we will increase economic, political, and diplomatic pressure on their government if they don't void the warrants. Promises of enduring friendship didn't cut it with me.

That's weakness. That's President Bush in November of 2005. I want it to change.

[RobFromGa]

Now Social Security is over

No, Billy K, it is still a ticking time bomb in the coming intertgenerational war that needs to be dealt with. President Bush had the guts to take on a "third rail" topic and at least open it for discussion.

The only way, IMHO, to resolve SocSec is to pass a bill first ensuring that everyone over 55 is protected (if they want to stay in) in present system and that will shut them up while the rest of us figure out how to fix the medium to longer term crisis.

[kaktuskid]

You need to realize that if Bush continues to slide in the polls he will lose his effectiveness with our allies, with the American people, with the Republicans in Congress. He will also lose the fear of his enemies...that has started already. I've never seen more disrespect from the opposition party as demonstrated this week.

You mean the cooked BS polls by foreign polling companies that sample more Democrats than Republicans, thus skewing the polls???

[Patriot from Philly]

You are right. I followed the Bolton nomination closely. The Republicans were a sorry, weak mess on that one too.

[kaktuskid]

The media may be losing readership, but the Internet is picking up readership. Do you look at the Yahoo homepage, AP and Reuters, that's what people see.

You believe the CR-AP and Arab-owned Rat-turds?

[papasmurf]

Here-Hear!


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