Posted on 11/30/2005 3:15:04 PM PST by Pokey78
Today, Nancy Pelosi endorsed withdrawal from Iraq. Her statement is a political opportunity for the GOP.
Until now, it seemed to me more likely than not that Democrats would win back the House in 2006: Bush's numbers are bad; the GOP is getting no credit for a strong economy (which could in any case weaken by a year from now); the Abramoff scandal is going to get bigger; twelve years in charge of the House, and three years in control of all three elected bodies, have created weariness and dissatisfaction with the GOP. All this made me think the 2006 elections could result in a Speaker Pelosi.
I now think that unlikely. Pelosi's endorsement today of the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq makes the House Democrats the party of defeat, the party of surrender. Bush's strong speech today means the GOP is likely to be--if Republican Congressmen just keep their nerve--the party of victory. Now it is possible that the situation in Iraq will worsen over the next year. If that happens, Bush and the GOP are in deep trouble. They would have been if Pelosi had said nothing. But it is much more likely that the situation in Iraq will stay more or less the same, or improve. In either case, Republicans will benefit from being the party of victory.
It goes without saying that Bush should seek victory in Iraq regardless of Congressional elections, and regardless of polling results. But Republicans on the Hill, whose nervousness has in turn rattled
So all Bush has to do is fight the war. And if he really wants to torment the Democrats--and advance the war effort--he could make Joe Lieberman Secretary of Defense.
--William Kristol
You have offended me, sir!
You don't suppose Mitchell is stetching the truth just a teeny bit? The pubbies I see are NOT running from Bush and would be foolish to do so.
That is certainly what the Democrats are hoping for, disaster and death in Iraq. Now, with Pelosi going on record, they'll be doing all that they can to ensure disaster there. They will endanger our good soldiers and do what they can to see that we are defeated there. They, therefore, will be on the side of Al-Qaeda and the other terrorists there and elsewhere. They will prove themselves to be the traitor party.
Good grief! Kristol is so entrenched in the beltway mentality that he's actually believing the spin that goes on there. He really needs to take a vacation.
Pelosi? Speaker of the House? ROFLMAO!
If GW would lead - bring in these sniveling fool congresscritters to the WH & instead of calling them by a cute nickname make it a serious meeting & if they go against him on the issues there could be many vetoes, etc. The leadership starts at the top. BTW the war is an issue but the illegal issue if not addressed properly is the downfall of both factions.
Democrats have to stop believing their own polls before they can start winning elections.
When a pollster asks: Do you want the troops to come home now?
The answer is usually going to be, "Yes."
Pollsters should be asking: Do you think the troops should come home now?
The majority answer is going to be, "No."
The Democrats think that playing on peoples' "wants" is going to win them elections. They completely discount the fact that most people have brains enough to figure out that what they want isn't always the best thing for the country. The only exception to the rule are the liberals who only function based on what they want.
Rummy has tried to reform the military during a war. While respectable, it certainly was a lot to take on. He has shown very poor PR skills, extreme arrogance and failed to anticipate or quickly respond to an organized insurgency, though the senior military and intelligence types deserve much of that blame as well. Also, not foreseeing the consequences of the inevitable photos of interrogation and sadism on the American public almost cost the Presidency. All and all, however, he has been resolute in the face of whithering fire from all sides.
"Speaker Pelosi"
Sends a shiver up my spine!!!
In the very unlikely event that was to happen, the hard left turn in the nation's affairs that would ensue would guarantee an instant and equally radical turn in public sentiment, as there was after Slick Willy was elected in 1992. The Dem's control of the House would be short-lived, I think.
Kristol is probably right about this. A party of complete defeat and surrender does not deserve leadership. They must have polling that backs this move, though I still don't get it.
However, I fear the WH will not utilize this talking point to the degree that the should, and the press will undoubtably spin anything as a "defensive, combative WH; blah, blah blah..."
ROTFLMAO!
Your description of Rumsfeld is dead on. I agree, he had a real tin ear about the prison scandal.
Plus, in the early days of the insurgency he kept comparing things to American cities, he was terrible on the looting.
Has many good points, but I would like to see Liberman as Sec of Def.
Even Billy Kwistol can see the tide turning and is trying to get ahead of the train. He straddled both sides 3 times in 3 paragraphs, what a Maroon!
Pray for W and Our Freedom Fighters
The key is "don't lose their nerve"! What nerve?I am angry at both houses for their lack of nerve. Bunch of weenies! I can't believe so many have given so much to take back this country and these jerks have weenied out. Nuclear option? Crap. Stick it to them. why win if you don't get the trophy?
What those on the left seemed to forget, the United States did not start this war. There are people in the Middle East that want us all dead. If we pulled out without winning, there will be a peace of sorts while our enemies regroup, re-organize, and prepare to attack us again.
If we pulled out of the Middle East there will be another 9/11, only this time bigger, perhaps chemical, biological or nuclear.
The fanantics that want us dead will beleive that we are weak and do not stomach a fight and if they kill enough of us we will surrender.
That is what the Democrats are suggesting for our nation.
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