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How Bush turned it around
World Net Daily ^ | December 21, 2005 | Patrick J. Buchanan

Posted on 12/23/2005 9:44:02 PM PST by streetpreacher

Men who believe in something, even if wrong, will triumph over those who believe in nothing. That is the lesson of the Bush recovery of the past four weeks.

From August, when Cindy Sheehan set up Camp Casey to bedevil his vacation in Crawford – which was cut short by Katrina and then the New Orleans debacle – to November, George W. Bush seemed a man at sea.

Opposition to the war was rising to 60 percent, his approval rating had plummeted to 36 percent, his credibility appeared fatally impaired. There seemed a danger that, for three more years, an America at war would be led by a broken president.

But Bush has one advantage over his adversaries. He believes in the war and has the courage of his convictions. Unlike most of the anti-war politicians and demonstrators, he does not go limp when the nightsticking starts. His defiance calls to mind Lincoln's:

I do the very best I know how – the very best I can; and I mean to keep doing so until the end. If the end brings me out all right, what is said against me won't amount to anything. If the end brings me out wrong, 10 angels swearing I was right would make no difference.

Bush's strength is that he has made his peace with the idea that his presidency stands or falls with Iraq.

Thus, he set out in four speeches to defend his war policy, rally the nation, and characterize his opposition as trumpeters of retreat and defeat. By the Thursday of the Iraqi election, he had reduced them to squabbling and acrimonious incoherence.

Friday morning, to undermine the heartening headlines out of Iraq on the successful election, the New York Times plastered on its front page a story it had been holding for a year: that President Bush had authorized secret eavesdropping by the National Security Agency of telephone calls from U.S. citizens to terrorist suspects abroad.

After stumbling for 24 hours, the president came out smoking, dropping his Saturday morning radio address for an eight-minute televised address from the Roosevelt Room that bristled with angry defiance.

In summary, President Bush said: Yes, I authorized the eavesdropping – to protect America in a time of war. I have the authority to do it. I vetted it with Justice. I informed Congress half a dozen times. And those who leaked and who published this state secret destroyed a crucial program, damaged our national security, aided our terrorist enemies and are lacking in patriotism, if they are not engaging in treason.

The president's political adversaries, save a handful, headed for the tall grass. That left the challenge to his authority to the press. On Monday, Bush used that White House press corps as a foil to repeat his charge that the Times and its leaker-collaborators were engaged in "shameful" misconduct that would almost certainly be investigated by the Department Of Justice.

In his Sunday night address, carried by all three networks and all the cable news networks, President Bush altered his demeanor entirely. He made a reasoned and compelling case for why those who opposed the war, and those who disagree with his policy and war leadership, should yet stand by him.

Some Americans, he said, "conclude that the war is lost, and not worth another dime or another day. I don't believe that. Our military commanders don't believe that. Our troops in the field, who bear the burden and make the sacrifices, do not believe that America has lost. And not even the terrorists believe it."

Is he not right?

And if our soldiers in the field believe in and wish to fight on in this cause unto victory, upon what ground do we stand to declare them defeated and to deny them that right?

"I also want to speak to those of you who did not support my decision to send troops to Iraq," the president said. "I have heard your disagreement, and I know how deeply it is felt. Yet now there are only two options before our country – victory or defeat."

Is he not right?

President Bush also warned that too rapid a U.S. withdrawal risks a U.S. defeat that would abandon our Iraqi friends to untold horrors, signal a lack of American resolve, undermine the morale of our armed forces, and embolden our enemies across the Middle East and terrorists worldwide.

Again, does he not have a point?

For students of the Oval Office, these last four weeks are an object lesson in how an embattled president who believes in the righteousness of his cause and is willing to put his office on the line can always, especially on an issue of war or national security, rout an adversary, even one with the backing of the national press.

The president has just bought himself another six months to a year to win this.


TOPICS: Editorial; Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bigmo; buchanan; bush; democrats; iraq; patbuchanan; patriotleak; polls; principle
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Good political analysis from Buchanan. One of the things Pat does well whether you agree with him or not.
1 posted on 12/23/2005 9:44:05 PM PST by streetpreacher
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To: streetpreacher

Did a search for this by title; if it's already posted, not my fault.


2 posted on 12/23/2005 9:45:21 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
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To: streetpreacher
Bump. Excellent analysis by Pat... Thanks for posting.



Have you Thanked a Soldier today?
Thank a Soldier Week is December 19th to December 25th!

3 posted on 12/23/2005 9:47:26 PM PST by cgk (I don't see myself as a conservative. I see myself as a religious, right-wing, wacko extremist.)
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To: streetpreacher

"George W. Bush seemed a man at sea."

Not to me. Not to many here. We knew, as history teaches, that its normal for Presidents to have down periods. That it was an artificial manufacture of the MSM.
We knew the facts of the story in Iraq. Nobody was surprised here when the elections went so well.
Few here were surprised that gas prices came down.
We knew the amazingly good numbers the economy has been producing. Again no surprise for us.

But no doubt a big surprise for the MSM. They still dont know how to deal with all the good news that they must report now.

Screw vindication however. Time to kick more liberal ass!



4 posted on 12/23/2005 9:50:37 PM PST by Names Ash Housewares
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To: streetpreacher

Seldom do I agree with PJB, but this is one of those occasions


5 posted on 12/23/2005 9:51:01 PM PST by MJY1288 (THE DEMOCRATS OFFER NOTHING FOR THE FUTURE AND THEY LIE ABOUT THE PAST)
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To: Names Ash Housewares
Considering the fact that PJB looks at everything through the prism of a glass half empty, this is one of his more optimistic pieces
6 posted on 12/23/2005 9:52:28 PM PST by MJY1288 (THE DEMOCRATS OFFER NOTHING FOR THE FUTURE AND THEY LIE ABOUT THE PAST)
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To: streetpreacher
Cindy my ass!

The MSM Attack!

Cindy is a Media Whore, recently OD'd on 15 minutes.

MSM is LIBERALISM full tilt, (biblically) Smited (sp) and hopefully beaten down.

TT
7 posted on 12/23/2005 9:52:33 PM PST by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
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To: streetpreacher

Does Pat still collect checks for going on MSNBC?


8 posted on 12/23/2005 9:52:51 PM PST by LdSentinal
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To: streetpreacher
I'm not a fan of Buchanan but this is a good analysis. Bush's rhetorical attack has turned it around, because for months he seemed to be hiding from the attacks. He must grasp that you don't run away when you have the truth on your side--you challenge these nauseating (and I do mean that) democrats who are trying to knock this country down. They are not loyal opposition; they wish to harm this country because, like the French intellegencia they so wish to be like, they think the US has always been too arrogant, too big for its britches. The dems are the party of liberal women; they think all things male (or at least male-identified) are evil, corrupt, and need to be eradicated so they can make America the multicultural dream they fantasize about--all the while living the lives they attack Republicans for living.

An intelligent mind is always questioning itself--not in an insecure way, but so one will be prepared to defend against others' attacks. Bush has, at last, come away from all this self-questioning and said "I've looked at this long enough to know I'm right and you're wrong."

And never forget, right at the heart of multiculturalism is "cult"! ;)

9 posted on 12/23/2005 9:53:36 PM PST by Darkwolf377 (Warning: Adult language, but great Christmas message: http://foamy.libertech.net/noxmas.swf)
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To: Names Ash Housewares
"George W. Bush seemed a man at sea."

Not to me. Not to many here.

He did use the word "seemed" and as  MJY1288 pointed out, Pat is a natural pessimist.

10 posted on 12/23/2005 9:54:46 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
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To: TexasTransplant

Smited (to Smite)

(Sorry the Pastor never spelled it for me)

TT


11 posted on 12/23/2005 9:55:49 PM PST by TexasTransplant (NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET)
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To: streetpreacher
This president if he needs to learn one thing it is this. His nation loves to hear from him. Whether they love him or not they respond to his keeping in touch with his people. Every man needs a king. He is a genuinely good person. His sincerity comes thru. Even those friends of mine begrudgingly agree with his directives no matter how hard they fight it.President Bush must make more verbal contact to the citizenry. And this to everyone else, forget what the polls say, remember they had him beat? History will render this president among the USAs best ever. I thank God I'm alive while he is our leader. His will be a tough act to follow.
12 posted on 12/23/2005 9:56:45 PM PST by 911 still fresh for this NYer ( A great leader)
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To: streetpreacher
You beat me to it. Pat always has all the facts, and 80% of the time comes to the right conclusion.

Biggest complaint of Americans is that we do not profile. It's reassuring that the FBI is concentrating on where 'bombs' are likely to be found. Also they claim they have leads. IMO those leads are from the Muslim community, and it that's true, we are making progress.

For the NYT and Nightline to pontificate on spying will cost the Democrats even more votes.

13 posted on 12/23/2005 9:58:20 PM PST by duckln
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To: Darkwolf377

Another thing I find honorable about Pat (as regards the war) is that he insists we must stay the course in Iraq, even though he disagreed with the war. I think that he learned the right lessons from Vietnam (within the Nixon administration) unlike the Murthas and Kerrys who would dishonor America before a watching world. To me that makes him a patriot and separates him from the haters.


14 posted on 12/23/2005 9:59:37 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
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To: streetpreacher

PJB bump...


15 posted on 12/23/2005 9:59:49 PM PST by defenderSD (¤¤ In a battle of wits against a FReeper, the typical liberal is unarmed. ¤¤)
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To: 911 still fresh for this NYer
His nation loves to hear from him.

We love to hear him speak with conviction, to act presidential and manly. We don't like him kissing up to this nation's enemies (the Democrats) like he has mostly done for five years.

16 posted on 12/23/2005 10:00:16 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (Peace Begins in the Womb)
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To: LdSentinal

Your point is????


17 posted on 12/23/2005 10:01:11 PM PST by duckln
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To: duckln
For the NYT and Nightline to pontificate on spying will cost the Democrats even more votes.

Those idiots think they are hurting Bush, but the reports on the spying are like free campaign advertising for the conservatives.

18 posted on 12/23/2005 10:01:46 PM PST by Jeff Chandler (Peace Begins in the Womb)
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To: Jeff Chandler

True, but now he is standing up. So how about noticing that instead of focusing on the past?


19 posted on 12/23/2005 10:02:03 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
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To: LdSentinal

Who cares? This is not an article about Buchanan.


20 posted on 12/23/2005 10:02:48 PM PST by streetpreacher (If at the end of the day, 100% of both sides are not angry with me, I've failed.)
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