I support this administration so much that I'm called a bushbot, a label I wear proudly. (Of course, on other threads I get called a troll but that's a different story. LOL)
Anyway, I've said for a year or two now that the president's PR campaign is as bad a campaign as I've ever seen. He has permitted it to become an article of faith that Al Qaeda had no relationship to Iraq and that the war has drawn jihadists and AQ to the region.
This is not only stupid public relations wise, it's not true and it's demonstrably not true.
It's the same with the WMD issue, as you pointed out.
I know the president isn't a stupid man. And for all those who say he's playing poker and waiting until the right moment, the right moment to talk about the relationship that went back to the early 90's between Saddam and AQ/OBL was in the fall of 2004 before the election.
I think you're right and that the administration has decided not to rehash an old issue and do the important work that needs to be done and not get distracted with playing a game of defense.
It's understandable and to an extent admirable, but letting people think the president "lied his way into war" has also had the unfortunate effect of reducing support for the war and the military and that has been most unfortunate.
Santorum's statement tries to explain why there was so much time taken to declassify:(a) fear the terrorists would realize that stuff was out there (b) fear of revealing intel sources
Peach, you have good points. However, I believe that the President held his cards close to his vest because he knew that Kerry would not carry Ohio.
What is happening now is for 2006 and beyond. The RATS argument just went out the window. They are on the defensive and this now comes up.
If I recall correctly, one of the Presidents stated objectives was to return dignity to the Office when he was first elected. And it so needed to be returned. So needed. Anyhow, I think this colors a great deal of the PR coming outta the White House and in some ways it isn't so bad. Still, I think your right about what his PR campaign has been up till now. Have a great day.
I think regardless of what proof was presented of WMD's the anti-war, anti-American groups and MSM would still spin it their way.
The President has always stood by his convictions,which means he never allows public opinion to sway him. There were many reasons to go to war but it all boils down to WOT!
There is a lot of undisputable proof of WMD yet those that are anti-war refuse to acknowledge them. Perhaps instead of us having a good PR the problem is that those opposed had a much better PR right from the start. They swayed public opinion from day one and what should have been a counter attack was to bring up Clinton's involvement with and lack of fighting WOT which would put them on the defensive. The anti-war goups strategy appears to be to keep the Administration on the defensive which isn't a place of strength.