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Pelosi's Disastrous Miscalculation
The Weekly Standard ^ | 11/30/05 | William Kristol

Posted on 11/30/2005 3:15:04 PM PST by Pokey78

The House Democratic leader may have just handed a victory to the Congressional GOP.

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


some in the White House, should now realize that the die is cast. If, a year from now, Iraq is judged to have been a mistake and to be a disaster, the Democrats will benefit--for that is the position of their leadership. But if Iraq is judged to be a war worth fighting and winning--a war we are proud our soldiers are fighting and which we expect to win--that judgment will benefit the GOP in a way it might not have until Pelosi's statement today.

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


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 109th; cutandrun; kristol; murtha; pelosi; wot
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To: Patriot from Philly

I, respectfully, have to disagree that Liberman would be benefit to our party, as Sec. of Def., or any other high office within our party.

One only has to go back to the gore/ Liberman run for office. Liberman gave up all his beliefs and honesty to be part of that team. He lost a lot of respect from people on the right and I'm sure some self respect with that move to get power, at all costs.


81 posted on 11/30/2005 5:49:16 PM PST by RetSignman
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To: Pokey78

All those willing to follow Nancy into battle take one step forward.


82 posted on 11/30/2005 5:51:04 PM PST by jwalsh07
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To: Pokey78
Leave it to Kristol to end the piece taking a potshot at Rumsfeld, a great Defense Secretary.

Kristol, for all his smarts, is thoroughly unlikeable and untrustworthy. He never speaks or writes candidly, but always with a hidden agenda.

83 posted on 11/30/2005 5:54:37 PM PST by beckett (Amor Fati)
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To: Txsleuth
....I just got done watching O'Reilly...and it continues there...I saw Col. David Hunt..(who I thought was one of the reasonable ex-military experts)...and he said that the Bush Administration screwed up this war so bad for 21 MONTHS...that we will be in trouble for a while...

I am so glad that I did not see that.. you come to start depending on the people that you thought were reasonable.

I thought that President Bush's speech was great today.

84 posted on 11/30/2005 5:57:24 PM PST by Irish Eyes
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To: Txsleuth

That is so untrue and pathetic. Most people who heard the speech were rallied and touched by it. The Rats are the ones digging a hole they can't get out of.


85 posted on 11/30/2005 5:57:45 PM PST by wouldntbprudent
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To: Ann Archy

LOL, I don't know if you are old enough, but there used to be an old cartoon named "Droopy", the voice over sounded just like Liberman.


86 posted on 11/30/2005 5:58:07 PM PST by RetSignman
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To: jayef






87 posted on 11/30/2005 5:58:53 PM PST by devolve (<--- (--------(--do not check out my lame FR home page--)-------)
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To: wouldntbprudent

What makes me sick about O'Reilly is.... he brags on his radio show that he isn't going to watch the speech because he is TOO BUSY...and it (the speech) doesn't matter anyway...

But, I know I have heard that idiot complain on his show that President Bush hasn't talked to the "folks" enough...feh!!!

The speech was terrific...and I am sick to death of all media, except Brit Hume...

BTW..Brit said on his show tonight...that NONE of the newspapers...and only 2 major news networks even mentioned Joe Lieberman's take on Iraq...even though they gave a LOT of space for MURTHA'S take on Iraq...


88 posted on 11/30/2005 6:06:28 PM PST by Txsleuth (9/11NEVER FORGET-NEVER SURRENDER, Sam Johnson, a REAL hero!)
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To: Txsleuth
Ok....you tell US how you would solve all of those problems

1] borders--it is more than just border security, it is national sovereignty. If Bush wants the 15 million illegal aliens to stay, then the requirements should include (a) no welfare or immediate deportation, and (b) have to take classes to learn the English language and (c) have to take classes on American history and (d) for those in the right age group, mandatory 2-yar service into the military. For the borders, build the wall and put armed Army troops guarding our border(s).

2] Syria and Iran--you can fight a war in other ways than troops fighting common foot soldiers and thugs. You wage FINANCIAL warfare and political warfare. You cut off charity. You cut off charity to any nation that gives aid to Syria or Iran. You cut off indirect charity (e.g. IMF funding and World Bank funding). You use air attacks and make progessively more damagiing attacks against each nation and after each daily raid, demand an end to the building of IEDs and the funneling of thugs into Iraq and all other acts of war or the next day's raid will be worse--and then carry out the threat.

One definition of war is: A concerted effort or campaign to combat or put an end to something considered injurious

Bush is not waging war against two nations waging war against us--Syria and Iran.

3] stratospheric social welfare spending ...................... simple. You stop all increases in these programs or keep the increase to the rate of inflation and you end many of the overlapping programs. You take back the funding to the year 2000 level before Bush started these massive 100 and 200% plus increases for these programs.

There is a LOT that can be done. Bush is doing none of it.

89 posted on 11/30/2005 8:15:27 PM PST by Dont_Tread_On_Me_888 (Bush's #1 priority Africa. #2 priority appease Fox and Mexico . . . USA priority #64.)
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To: Dont_Tread_On_Me_888

All of your ideas are GREAT...and I would vote for you in a second....but, in order for YOU to get those things accomplished...

We would have to elect a whole new Congres...because all of those things are legislated...which means, unless he has to VETO everybill...(which is what is might take, I agree)...you wouldn't get it done..

I hear from conservative Congresscritters that when the immigration reform comes to them....it will be on par with the fight over abortion..it will be so politically charged.

It should be fun....let's you and I watch together...okay??

Thanks for the post..


90 posted on 12/01/2005 6:29:12 AM PST by Txsleuth (9/11NEVER FORGET-NEVER SURRENDER, Sam Johnson, a REAL hero!)
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To: R.W.Ratikal

She is a typical liberal who wants to strip you of your money to use to buy votes so she can stay in office and literally steal from the taxpayers..
-----
Well this is true for sure. As well as her vinyards. She is riding the radical left horse which is STUPID. She will not last. I have had the misfortune of hearing her speak, and she is an empty, socialist loser politically, but so are most of the Dems -- as you say their objective is anything but working for the people. She, like the rest of the socialists in California see the taxpaying public as their USEFUL IDIOTS. Even Feinstein is also into big-time business, via her hubby -- they are invested heavily in Commie China, which fits their politics. Between the three leftist females in Calif, not one of them has ever said for done anything that reflects anything politically intelligent and substantive.


91 posted on 12/01/2005 6:58:52 AM PST by EagleUSA
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To: Pokey78
"the GOP is getting no credit for a strong economy"

What greater proof is there that the MSM is not just the voice of the lying DemocRATS, it itself has become the opposition party to the Republicans.

The White House can trumpet its positive accomplishments all day long, but if CBS et al does not want to tell the idiots who get their "news at 10" about it, then it never happened, did it?

Death to old media. The sooner the better.

92 posted on 12/01/2005 7:13:41 AM PST by Zman516
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To: Txsleuth

Reminds me of a coworker who complained that Bush never laid out his reasoning for the war. So I began to quiz her, had she heard this speech or that? See this article or that? No. Finally asked her where she got her news.

She said whatever she felt like reading in the WashPost while riding the train in the morning. That was it.
Bush had just given a major policy speech and she had no clue it had even occurred. I'm surprised she even knew we were at war!

You are so right on O'Reilly. What a blowhard.

That said, I wish Bush would get out like he was campaigning and make a speech like this about once a week. He can draw large crowds. They pass the word and the energy.


93 posted on 12/01/2005 7:32:48 AM PST by wouldntbprudent
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To: wouldntbprudent

I hear that he is supposed to really start giving speeches...and that is good...he is a much better communicator than most give him credit for, IMHO.

I FEAR that too many voting Americans are like your friend, that doesn't really listen to the news...just looks at headlines...scary, isn't it?


94 posted on 12/01/2005 7:35:15 AM PST by Txsleuth (9/11NEVER FORGET-NEVER SURRENDER, Sam Johnson, a REAL hero!)
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To: Txsleuth
I hear that he is supposed to really start giving speeches

From your mouth to God's ears.

95 posted on 12/01/2005 11:08:05 AM PST by wouldntbprudent
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To: wouldntbprudent

I know some of the speeches will coincide with fundraisers for Congresscritters...IF the Congresscritters don't turn him down...thinking that President Bush would HURT them...


96 posted on 12/01/2005 11:11:42 AM PST by Txsleuth (9/11NEVER FORGET-NEVER SURRENDER, Sam Johnson, a REAL hero!)
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To: Txsleuth

Anybody who thinks Bush' presence will hurt them is seriously out of touch with the prevailing attitude.

The LSM keeps coming up with polls they think show Bush is sunk, but he's got a deep reservoir of love and confidence built up with the American people that won't be shaken by some bumps in the road.

Especially when people start thinking about the alternative.


97 posted on 12/01/2005 11:30:14 AM PST by wouldntbprudent
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To: Pokey78

Ping for a later read.


98 posted on 12/01/2005 11:33:02 AM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
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To: tdewey10
That's an insult to the post.

How about "Pelosi is as dumb as a TROLL post - but just as zotworthy"...?
99 posted on 12/01/2005 11:34:00 AM PST by beezdotcom
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To: Pokey78
This was a strategic move to "split the baby". She endorses it personally, but does not take the caucus with her. Satisfies the base, while allowing deny-ability.

Too bad it supports the main strategy of our killer-terrorist enemies as well.
100 posted on 12/01/2005 11:38:06 AM PST by Wiseghy (Discontent is the want of self-reliance: it is infirmity of will. – Ralph Waldo Emerson)
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