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NYT: Rallied by Bush, Skittish G.O.P. Now Embraces War as Issue
New York Times ^ | June 22, 2006 | JIM RUTENBERG and ADAM NAGOURNEY

Posted on 06/22/2006 12:36:45 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative

Just a few weeks ago, some Republicans were openly fretting about the war in Iraq and its effect on their re-election prospects, with particularly vulnerable lawmakers worried that its growing unpopularity was becoming a drag on their campaigns.

But there was little sign of such nervousness on Wednesday as Republican after Republican took to the Senate floor to offer an unambiguous embrace of the Iraq war and to portray Democrats as advocates of an overly hasty withdrawal that would have grave consequences for the security of the United States. Like their counterparts in the House last week, they accused Democrats of espousing "retreat and defeatism."

That emerging Republican approach reflects, at least for now, the success of a White House effort to bring a skittish party behind Mr. Bush on the war after months of political ambivalence in some vocal quarters. As President Bush offered another defense of his Iraq policy during a visit to Vienna on Wednesday, Republicans acknowledged that it was a strategy of necessity, an effort to turn what some party leaders had feared could become the party's greatest liability into an advantage in the midterm elections.

The approach might yet be upended by more problems in Iraq, as Republicans were reminded this week with reports about two American servicemen who were abducted, tortured and apparently killed. Some polls show a majority of Americans continue to think that entering Iraq was a mistake, and pollsters say independent voters are particularly open to the idea of setting some sort of timetable for withdrawal, the very policy Democrats have embraced and Republicans are now fighting.

(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Front Page News; Government; News/Current Events; Political Humor/Cartoons; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: 2006election; bush; congress; cutnrun; defeaticrats; democrats; drivebymedia; frenchpoodleparty; gop; gousa; house; iraq; issues; midterms; newyorktimes; republicanparty; senate; visforvictory

1 posted on 06/22/2006 12:36:51 AM PDT by West Coast Conservative
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To: West Coast Conservative
ROFL! I love it how the Drive By Media portrays the GOP as "skittish" on the War. The New York Times conveniently omits all mention of the Democrats' deep divisions over the War, including their embrace of a defeatist cut n run posture. You know things look up for the Republicans when the Democrats make sure Kerry won't be either heard or seen in prime time.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

2 posted on 06/22/2006 12:40:33 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop
I'm sure there were "skittish" Senate Republicans, because there are many RINO senators that wont take a crap unless a poll says its OK.
3 posted on 06/22/2006 12:57:43 AM PDT by bigjoesaddle ("Liberalism is a philosophy of sniveling brats." -- P.J. O'Rourke)
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To: bigjoesaddle
You're talking about Lincoln Chaffee and Chuck Hagel. They're ones who want to look good to the Drive By Media.

(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")

4 posted on 06/22/2006 1:04:11 AM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: West Coast Conservative

In otherwords, wishful thinking from the editors of AL JAZZERA-- er- THE NYT's- didn't come true.


5 posted on 06/22/2006 1:19:41 AM PDT by Nathan Zachary
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To: West Coast Conservative
"Rallied by Bush, Skittish G.O.P. Now Embraces War as Issue" . . . Dammit!

(We thought we had them backing off their strongest issue, and now they return to national security.)

6 posted on 06/22/2006 4:03:47 AM PDT by LS
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To: goldstategop
You're right, of course, but there are many conservatives who were really upset with Bush, but who need to be reminded that as important as spending and/or illegal immigration is, we are at war with a determined and vicious enemy. (And yes, I understand immigration/borders are a component of that war).

What Bush has done, along with some good news from the front, is to remind EVERYONE that the Democrats are UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED for the U.S. when it comes to national security.

7 posted on 06/22/2006 4:06:00 AM PDT by LS
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To: LS
The pubbies are skittish while fat teddy is into the scottish libation and the rest of the demonRATs are in full panic and retreat mode.
8 posted on 06/22/2006 4:51:48 AM PDT by USS Alaska (Nuke the terrorist savages - In Honor of Standing Wolf)
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To: West Coast Conservative

Or...the NYT and other anti-American libs might have the cut-and-run label firmly fixed to their tails for the Nov. elections, thus ensuring the defeat of Democrats and the denial of their dream to retake the House and Senate. Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth that will then ensue! Give Democrats enough rope and they will always hang themselves. The US citizens in the red states do not identify with Kerry and Pelosi, period.


9 posted on 06/22/2006 4:56:48 AM PDT by kittymyrib
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To: West Coast Conservative

"apparently killed" is used when describing the murder of the two military guys who were kidnapped.

Gee, the NYT cannot accurate describe whether or not something is alive or dead!


10 posted on 06/22/2006 6:55:00 AM PDT by austinaero
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