Posted on 12/05/2005 11:16:55 AM PST by Ooh-Ah
So much for a leader sup-posedly “on the ropes.” Firing back at his critics, President Bush enjoyed a banner day Wednesday, one of his best in some time. Not only did the White House release a 35-page booklet titled “National Strategy for Victory in Iraq,” theoretically (at least) quieting some of the more vocal naysayers who continually maintain no such plan exists, but he also delivered a rousing speech at the U.S. Naval Academy.
The rhetoric of this address was hardly unfamiliar, but it was welcome nonetheless, as it showed a president willing to aggressively defend and pursue positions that have been vilified, to the point of scorn, this entire fall season. Once again, he emphasized that nothing less than “complete victory” will suffice.
“Some are calling for a deadline for withdrawal,” Mr. Bush said. “Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would send a message across the world that America is a weak and unreliable ally.
“Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would send a signal to our enemies — that if they wait long enough, Amer-ica will cut and run and abandon its friends. Setting an artificial deadline to withdraw would vindicate the terrorists’ tactics of beheadings and suicide bombings and mass murder — and invite new attacks on America.”
This ringing reiteration that America remains at war prompted a disjointed, incho-ate response from Mr. Bush’s Democratic foes. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, react-ing but hardly leading, endorsed Rep. John Murtha’s call for immediate withdrawal, to be accomplished over a six-month period. Interestingly, when Mr. Murtha, a decorated Vietnam veteran from Penn-sylvania, initially made this recommendation two weeks ago, Mrs. Pelosi and 402 other Democrats (including Mr. Murtha himself) voted against immediate withdrawal when Republicans pressed the ques-tion on the House floor. Interesting as well, Mrs. Pelosi has not formalized this endorsement as a policy initiative for her Democratic caucus, instead leaving it up to individual members whether or not to follow her lead.
The minority leader has said that “a majority of our caucus clearly supports Mr. Murtha,” but provides no indication as to what, if anything, has changed, since that 403-3 vote in mid-November. That Mrs. Pelosi’s position does not boast the backing she maintains is suggested by the outright opposition of the House’s No. 2 Democrat, Steny Hoyer of Maryland. Echoing the sentiments of Sen. Joe Lieberman earlier this week, Mr. Hoyer has said that “a precipitous withdrawal of American troops in Iraq could lead to disaster, spawning a civil war, fostering a haven for terrorists, and damaging our nation’s security and credibility.”
On the Senate side, the re-sponse was, on the whole, decidedly more fluid, even tentative, with many Democ-rats — including Hillary Clinton and even John Kerry and Ted Kennedy — opposing Mr. Murtha but linking troop withdrawal to the outcome of this month’s parliamentary elections.
What this demonstrates to us is that the Democratic approach to the issue is now “every man for himself.” No unanimity exists. Republicans, on the other hand, remain solidly united against with-drawal.
What a remarkable reversal of political fortunes this represents. Democrats now find themselves “between Iraq and a hard place.”
What a remarkable reversal of political fortunes this represents. Democrats now find themselves “between Iraq and a hard place.”
I've noticed the DUmmies haven't been that happy lately. Not since their high point of Hurricane Katrina. Must be the low gas prices.
There is a substantial penalty for early withdrawal........
I think this is just the beginning. There is a lag effect with public opnion and polls. Even CNN is running the occasional "good news from Iraq" story now.
Pelosi has made a huge error jumping on the "Murthans for Defeat" bandwagon. She did it to shore up the base, but she will look stupid after the December 15 election. Come to think of it, she always looks stupid, but that's another matter...
I think everybody makes the connection between higher energy costs and higher costs for all of the things they consume which require transport or shipping.
C. Rice #44--Mrs. Clinton has to be a little tense...hehehe
Well, the President remains steadfast. Some Republicans remain steadfast. WE remain staedfast. So, add these factors together, and the rest that may be weak kneed are kept in line. Especially when we give them hell over things like the Warner resolution. The biggest blessing the Republican Party has is a unified base that is pro-America and keeps them in line on this issue and a President that will not buckle. If left to thir own devices they'd capitulate as folks did in 'nam to the peaceniks.
The Dem party, however, is beholden to the peaceniks. Their fault, they made the little monsters. Some were even apart of them in their youth. They are split because their base is split. A little over half anti-American peaceniks. The little under half are the remnants of it's FDR/Kennedy/Scoop Jackson days. Nancy can vote to withdraw in san Fran. red state/district Dems cannot do so with impunity and even swing districts come in play, especially military heavy districts.
I love saying I "Told ya so" to the Dems.
This is our issue, we're right on this issue, and all we have to do is fight back and we win. They cannot defeat this President. Only this President and WE, his base, have that power.
Even with the MSM campaigning against our country 24/7/365 the truth is still a very difficult obstacle to overcome.
GO "W" GO!!
Sock it to 'em!!!
The democRATS are in total disarray. They are imploding and exploding. Grab a beer and some popcorn and enjoy the show!!
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