The comparison is worthy.
Posted on 11/25/2005 9:58:25 AM PST by Carl/NewsMax
An angry former Secretary of State Colin Powell is blasting the Bush White House for attacking Rep. Jack Murtha, who undermined troop morale and encouraged al Qaida last week with his call for an immediate U.S. pullout from Iraq.
"To attack him the way he was attacked, accusing him of being a Michael Moore, was disgraceful and was not worthy," a Powell told the New York Post's Deborah Orin, who described him as "livid."
"Jack Murtha is great friend of mine," Powell declared. "He's a great patriot.
"I don't agree with his position," the former top Bush diplomat said. "But he has started a debate which is a good debate to have as to how long we should be there."
Hours after Murtha called for an immediate pullout last Thursday, White House press secretary Scott McClellan compared him to Michael Moore. Two days later, however, both President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney went out of their way to describe Murtha as "honorable."
Still, Powell focused instead on the earlier remark, and said nothing about the olive branch offered by Bush and Cheney.
The one-time chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff also suggested that the war on terror wasn't quite as serious as other challenges the U.S. has faced.
"We're not facing a world war anymore," Powell told the Post. "We have pretty much convinced the world that democracy is a better system than communism or fascism or totalitarianism."
The comparison is worthy.
I guess the REAL surprise here, is that Powell disagrees with Murtha.
Otherwise- he's doing what he always does- trying to have it both ways. He's given us many years of service- I applaud him for it. I think the State Dept turned his brain to mush- as I think it seems to be doing to Condi.
They need someone to clean that place up- reminds me too much of the UN. All appeasment- All the time.
There have been various hints and clues along the way for those interested in such matters. You're right.
"At least it is now universally recognized that being compared to Michael Moore is very undesirable."
If Powell was directly, or indirectly, disagreeing with the WH comparison to Moore, then I agree with Powell. I felt that way when I first heard it and still feel that way. Murtha may be wrong, and he may be getting older, and he may be too emotional (which may be based on his many visits with wounded troops and their families) but he doesn't deserve to be compared to Michael Moore. And, though I think Powell's comment was based on hindsight, Murtha's raising of the issue, and the Republican call for a "Put Up or Shut Up" vote did provide a clarifying moment for all, especially the troops. I think Powell's statement is also positive in that it gives a non-spoken indication (he was "livid") that Powell has a very, very low opinion of Moore.
“The fact is that, unlike during other times of national threat or crisis, the United States of America is not at war.” Jimmy Carter
I think it was Press Secretary, Scott McClellan
I hate NewsMax. Nowhere is there anything saying that the Whitehouse compared Murtha to Michael Moore. And nowhere is there an article that Powell replied this way.
Can we get better sources?
Nobody called anybody a Michael Moore. Here's what the Press Secretary said:
"Congressman Murtha is a respected veteran and politician who has a record of supporting a strong America. So it is baffling that he is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party."
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/11/20051118.html
Uhhh...the White House attacked Murtha? When? Who? Where?
Last I saw, Murtha got his butt handed to him in the House vote. And comparing Murtha to Michael Moore isn't an attack; it's a valid comparison. Both consider surrender to be the only acceptable "victory" for the U.S.
When did the Whitehouse compare Murtha to Moore?
check out post #68
Sounds like a man thinking of running for election.
Scott McClellan said that it is "baffling that [Pennsylvania Rep. John Murtha] is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party."
Juvenile?
First you would have document where a President's spokesman called Michael Moore anything but "wrong".
If you can't, then a Michael Moore in their words is synonymous for being "wrong" and nothing more.
BTW, Powell used the word disgraceful to describe the administration. He didn't just call the administration wrong.
Why don't you direct your comments toward Powell.
What hints? Seriously. Not doubting you, I'd just like to learn what I might've missed.
Oh, I didn't catch the first sentence as CNN only quoted the second sentence. In this context, all the noise about this seems absolutely ridiculous and way overdone. There is nothing inappropriate or disrespectful about what Scott McClellan said. The Dems and their media are a joke.
Pssst. One WMD strategically placed and the damn Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade (plus alot more) is over.
You get?
Other than getting ticked off at de Vilepan, what exactly did he accomplish in his "political" career that actually
benefited the US?
He acts like a quiche-eating UNocrat on the take, imo.
"When did the Whitehouse compare Murtha to Moore?"
That was my thought. Cheney and McClellen both went out their way to show respect for Murtha personally while criticizing his position vigorously. Scott said Murtha was taking a position like that of Moore - that is completely different.
The administration knows that personal attacks ion response to someone disagreeing with your policy is harmful and they have avoided even the appearance of that.
OTOH, I'm not sure what Powell actually said I have not seen a direct quote from a major source.
http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ned=us&q=powell+murtha&btnG=Search+News
I can't find this Powell quote anywhere else.
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