Posted on 03/21/2006 10:10:06 AM PST by ChuckShick
QUESTION: Thank you, sir. On the subject of the terrorist surveillance program, not to change the bipartisanship, but there have been now three sponsors to a measure to censure you for the implementation of that program.
...
What, sir, do you think the impact of a discussion of impeachment and censure does to you and this office and to the nation during a time of war and in the context of the election?
BUSH: ...
I did notice that nobody from the Democratic Party has actually stood up and called for the getting rid of the terrorist surveillance program. You know, if that's what they believe, if people in the party believe that, then they ought to stand up and say it. They ought to stand up and say, the tools we're using to protect the American people shouldn't be used. They ought to take their message to the people and say, vote for me. I promise we're not going to have a terrorist surveillance program.
That's what they ought to be doing. That's part of what is an open and honest debate.
I did notice that, you know, at one point in time, they didn't think the Patriot Act ought to be reauthorized — they being at least the minority leader in the Senate. He openly said, as I understand — I don't want to misquote him — something along the lines that, we killed the Patriot Act.
Now, if that's what the party believes, they ought to go around the country saying, We shouldn't give the people on the front line, who are protecting us, the tools necessary to do so.
That's a debate I think the country ought to have.
(Excerpt) Read more at sfgate.com ...
My money is on tone deaf John Kerry to be the first.
Classic!
There is another thread about Bush being a poor communicator. No mistakes about what he is communicating here. Bravo, George!!!!
Gotta love Bush especially when he swaggers and speaks in terms of "The Duke" and "Dirty Harry." "Feelin' lucky, punk?"
I am glad this man finally showed the cojones I knew he had to have.
That is what I like about the man.
When he actually DOES get around to defending himself, he can do it. I thought his comments were RIGHT ON THE MONEY.
He exposed it as partisan politicizing without doing it in an openly offensive way.
I'm sure the DNC fax machines and email lists are already accusing Bush of "questioning their patriotism". He handed theirs to them today. And yesterday too.
#1 DITTO!
He was in Vietnam you know.
I commented over there, but will echo the "Bravo!" My only complaint is that he really needs to be out front speaking more.
You got that right.
Damn it, though, the president always gets around to defending himself and explaining his positions too dadgummed late. The MSM and the Democrats have had their way with this story for weeks and the White House kept nearly silent about it.
The president sounded great this morning, but he should have been talking like this a couple of years ago.
I have occasionally watched Bush speak. He invariably stumbles, misspeaks, corrects himself, and has a somewhat annoying high pitch.
On the other hand, he looks sincere, he's obviously interested in other people rather than in love with himself, and he comes across great visually.
And what he says is great, too. He's just not very good at speaking in public. Somehow or other, he needs more practice. Maybe he needs to spend time trying to speak with pebbles in his mouth, like that Athenian orator.
But I agree, stumbles and all, it would be good if he appeared more often before the cameras to explain himself. I defintely recommend TV over radio, because his visual appearance is terrific.
Too bad he hasn't been saying this every day for the last few months.
Links ?????
Let'em ... they can talk about defending the terrorists civil rights at those Town Hall meeting Harry Reid is planning
I agree. President Bush is such a genuinely nice man that he really hates to massacre his opponents. In addition, I believe he underestimates the effectiveness of his opponents' propaganda. Too many Americans are just too busy (or uninterested) to take the time to study the issues, and they're susceptible to false but endlessly repeated soundbites by the liberals.
on this issue, the white house already has public opinion behind it. its good to see him attack on this nonetheless - its good to go on offense on an issue from a position of strength.
it sure as hell beats threathening vetoes over the ports isue, which had 19% approval.
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