Posted on 05/21/2006 10:13:18 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
Nevada Sen. John Ensign says Democratic leaders who criticize the Iraq war are aiding the terrorists and hampering the war effort.
"Democratic leaders like Nancy Pelosi and Ted Kennedy - let me tell you, I say this without reservation - they have hurt our military, they have emboldened the enemy," Ensign told Republicans gathered for the state party convention on Saturday.
"They're fighting for the freedom of speech, they're fighting for the right to protest, they're fighting for all those things. But when we are at war, especially the leaders in this country need to be very, very careful of what they say and what they do," Ensign said.
The first-term senator is up for re-election in November. His previous stump speeches have not attacked Democratic critics of the war so directly. When asked which comments from House Minority Leader Pelosi, D-Calif., or Sen. Ted Kennedy, D-Mass., he felt were inappropriate, Ensign said Pelosi had called evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq "lies."
"You don't think that doesn't embolden the enemy?" he said.
Ensign said he would not extend his criticism to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who once called President George Bush a "loser," because "Harry and I have an agreement not to criticize each other."
Ensign suggested war critics should lie about their opposition. In comments to reporters, the Las Vegas Republican quoted what he said was a line from comedian and talk show host Dennis Miller: "I happened to believe in what we're doing over there. But if I didn't, I'd lie."
Nevada Democratic Party spokeswoman Kirsten Searer said Ensign's remarks are an attempt to compensate for "a war that has had one failure after another."
"They would have fewer questions about the war if they were doing a better job of running it," she said.
At last reporting, Ensign had a war chest six times as large as his Democratic opponent, Las Vegas investment consultant Jack Carter, and he has a healthy lead in the polls.
Ensign said he recognized that some Americans were losing support for the war, which he attributed to "instant gratification culture."
He also used his speech to 135 Republican activists, about half of whom came from rural Nevada, to outline his position on immigration.
Ensign said he supported a sending National Guard troops to the border and a three-year guest worker program for immigrants willing to assimilate, learn English and pay taxes.
He said he didn't blame immigrants for wanting to cross the border to seek a better life in the U.S.
"I'd probably do the same thing," he told reporters.
Every Republican politician should have been saying the same thing all along. The Democrat lies would not have taken hold.
Freepers have been saying this for years, but now that a US Senator is saying it, it's news?
When these pigs are exposed,they get off with, "Im just a stupid, well meaning RAtT." I didn't intend any harm." S.O.B.s!
"have fun all of you guys who are going to sit home during the election."
Gotta get your little jab in with your devisive post uh? FR would operate far better if we as a forum start telling others who is conservative in their own areas. That could communicate to others who is a good candidate. Lose the attitude and contribute to the cause of conservatism.
What about Vietnam? They said that America would disappear if Vietnam was not dealt with but we are still here. In fact, America is going to be doing big business with Vietnam very soon if not already. Ships go there and nothing happened after the troops were pulled out. They had a quick squirmish with Cambodia that lasted a time and now there is peace within that region. I am not for pulling out troops, but lets not use crazy scenarios of what could happen. If we pull out, there might be some problems for Iraq for a bit and then the country will be come exactly like Vietnam and is that a bad thing really?
bump
Don't spill that Chivas, bitch!
Now, see what you've done!"
I love the smell of truth in the morning.
Look Bob, I reserve the right to bitch and complan about the repubs at this point.
I don't like this govt. spending my money like stupid liberal dems.
I don't like all these illegals coming here changing the landscape of MY country.
I don't like my borders open for any GOD knows what to come here.
But after bitching and complaining come Nov. I'll vote for the party that is more conservative. The lesser of two evils.
And yes I think both parties suck, just that the repub RINOs and all are better then the dems.
If you weren't one of the twenty million Vietnamese boat people, post-war Vietnam was just dandy.
If you weren't one of the twenty million Vietnamese boat people, post-war Vietnam was just dandy.
I wasn't one of the boat people, but I did vacation there last year and it is beautiful. The people are very friendly and of course love the American Dollar. My command had an MWR trip there. It was quite an eye opener that is for sure. The Vietnam War ended when I was like four so I might now have the same perspective as soom especially since I visited the country.
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"Ensign said Pelosi had called evidence of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq 'lies.'"
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"As a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware that the proliferation of chemical and biological weapons is an issue of grave importance to all nations. Saddam Hussein has been engaged in the development of weapons of mass destruction technology which is a threat to countries in the region and he has made a mockery of the weapons inspection process."
Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (Democrat, California)
Statement on US Led Military Strike Against Iraq
December 16, 1998
http://www.house.gov/pelosi/priraq1.htm
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The only liar is Pelosi.
If by nothing you over look the genocide of over 1 million people, millions of boat people losing their lives at sea to flee the country, and living under communism for the next 30 plus years.... yeah, I guess nothing happened.
Shout it from the roof tops!!!
Democrats--terrorists best friends.
Has anyone seen Jay "the snake" Rockefellor?
Exactly. Democrats have no problem about lying so why should Republicans worry about telling the truth?
Must be nice we don't have a senator in mexifornia.
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