Posted on 11/20/2005 8:26:47 AM PST by SmithL
BEIJING - U.S. President George W. Bush on Sunday all but apologized to a hawkish Democrat who the White House had called a liberal like American moviemaker Michael Moore for demanding an immediate U.S. pullout from Iraq.
Bush, dogged by questions about Iraq during a week-long Asia tour, tried to cool partisan tempers in Washington that flared over the withdrawal demand by Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. John Murtha (news, bio, voting record). One Republican had called Murtha a coward.
"Congressman Murtha is a fine man, a good man who served our country with honor and distinction as a Marine in Vietnam and as a U.S. congressman," Bush said.
He did not repeat the White House accusation that Murtha was from the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic Party like Moore, the "Fahrenheit 9/11" filmmaker who is a liberal celebrity loathed by American conservatives.
"I know that the decision to call for an immediate withdrawal of our troops by congressman Murtha was done in a careful and thoughtful way. I disagree with his position," Bush said.
Many Democrats have called on Bush to present a plan to end the war and an estimate of when U.S. forces can start to be withdrawn based on conditions on the ground. Only a few have called for a set timetable for withdrawal.
Murtha has said Iraq cannot be won militarily and the United States must withdraw to send a signal to Iraqis that they are "free from the United States occupation."
Murtha's opposition broadened a partisan divide in Washington and prompted the Republican-led House of Representatives to engineer a vote on Friday on a resolution to pull U.S. troops immediately from Iraq.
It was defeated nearly unanimously in what Democrats called a political stunt.
A CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll this week said 63 percent of Americans oppose Bush's handling of the Iraq war, and 52 percent say troops should be pulled out now or within 12 months.
Bush said a premature withdrawal would have "terrible consequences," but that he recognized Iraqis would like to defend their country on their own and he looked forward to that day.
"As the Iraqi security forces gain strength and experience we can lessen our troop presence in the country without losing our capability to effectively defeat the terrorists," Bush said.
"A reduced presence of coalition force would clearly demonstrate to the Iraqi people that we have no ambition to occupy their country. As I've often said we'll stay as long as necessary but not one day more," Bush said.
Bush, speaking to reporters after talks with Chinese leaders, said no one should question Murtha's patriotism and that it was his right to express his opinion.
"People should feel comfortable expressing their opinions about Iraq," he sai
I agree with you re: the smear campaign. I know it is an unpopular view here unfortunately. But it is one that I am also hearing from soldiers and vets. This is a good way to lose the military vote. To start a smear campaign against soldiers who disagree with us politically.
Yes, especially if it's true.
Leave it to the knee-jerks to supply bozos like Pelosi some live ammo instead of working with those with genuine concerns like Murtha. The don't call the GOP the "stupid party" for nothing.
I can take care of my own clothing needs, but since you're suggesting what I should wear, I'll suggest that your shirt should say the following.
"I disagree with our Commander in Chief, our military leaders, the Iraqi government and most important our troops who want to be in Iraq bad enough to keep re-inlisting. Bring them home now so we can prevent victory."
I agree with President Bush on this subject. That is considered drinking MSM koolaid??
So we should never investigate anyone who speaks out against the administration?
Dang! This job just keeps getting better and better! A multi-million dollar retirement package PLUS a get out of jail free card with each and every license to steal.
Sheeeit
I don't know. Your sketchy posting history doesn't give me much to go on.
If I can still find a T-shirt that's "Made in the USA" the only thing it's going to say is: "Either give our troops the resources they need to WIN or bring them home."
Do most Marines that you know suggest we leave before finishing the job?
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"The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the Nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else."
-- Teddy Roosevelt in the "Kansas City Star", May 7, 1918
But Willie, its easier to call someone a traitor than really listen to what they are saying. Get with the program.
Willie, why are troops re-upping if your assessment is correct?
Your wild accusations fly in the face of reality. Generals are NOT asking for more troops or more of anything at the present.
Strike that! They are asking for more time on the ground in Iraq.
You support Murtha in his efforts to undermine the morale of our Marines and to encourage the terrorists who kill them?
I simply said I agree with President Bush that Murtha has served this country with honour. I do not think this suggests I have been drinking the MSM koolaid. What my posting history has to do with this, I do not know. I do know the military vets I suggested this site to, have said this kind of slander and vilification can cost us the military vote in time. I agree with them. And the soldiers I know have ambivalent thoughts on leaving Iraq. None think we should leave at this particular time. Some do think we need to concentrate more on handing the country back to the Iraqis. That time is not now though.
Perhaps because their blue-collar jobs are being outsourced and they don't want to work at WalMart.
I think you'll admit that military pay is not superior to WalMart pay, and at least at WalMart you're not shot at.
He is no longer serving it with honor. He has become a disgrace.
That's the point.
I simply said I agree with President Bush that Murtha has served this country with honor.
I would agree with you if I qualified it a bit. He did serve his country honorably "while in the military".
Not sure about those two purple hearts though. Some reports that I haven't investigated yet suggest that both were for relatively minor injuries. Do your military friends approve of this type of behavior if it is true? Ala Kerry type purple hearts?
When he was getting contracts for a campaign donor for a truck that the Army said they didn't need and then he got all pissy about it and held up funding, he was becoming what the ground soldiers despise. A blowhard brass-hat that was out of touch with what the military needs.
Do your friends in the military approve when upper level brass push unwanted and un-needed crap on them to pay off campaign contributors?
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