What Ben Stein Thinks Bush Should Do

CBS News Sunday Morning ^ | October 29, 2006 | Ben Stein

[AnnGora]

CBS) Sunday Morning contributor Ben Stein thinks it is time for President Bush to admit that Iraq is a disaster.

Times are very tough in Iraq and if I was still a speechwriter for the President, like I was for Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ford, this is what I would suggest he say:

My fellow Americans, I have some sobering news. It is my duty, above all, to protect the nation. I sincerely believed I was doing that when I ordered the invasion of Iraq. I still believe Saddam Hussein was the most dangerous man in the world. But it is clear to me now that things are not working out well in Iraq. Despite the incredible confidence, bravery and sacrifice of our men and women on the ground there, Iraq is still a violent, largely out of control nation. We may be making more terrorists than we destroy. "Quagmire" comes sadly to mind. It is clear that change must be made. Therefore, I have this morning accepted Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's resignation with sincere thanks for his service to the nation. He will be replaced by a truly heroic American, Senator John McCain of Arizona.

Despite my best intentions, I made mistakes in Iraq and mine is the responsibility. Good men and women died and hard-earned tax money was lost. Fine young men and women are crippled and disabled, which is a tragedy. It is time for a change. Therefore, I am convening an official, national, bi-partisan, blue ribbon commission composed of Democrats, Independents and Republicans, civilian and military, to start meeting at once and give me a recommendation in one month as to what our Iraq policy should be. All options are on the table. All.

I want to close with this thought. I am just a man. I have no miraculous powers. I have no special pipeline to God. Like all presidents from Jefferson and Lincoln onwards — and believe me, I know I'm not in their league — I make mistakes and sometimes good people die because of them. I am deeply sorry. As we re-examine our policy, I would ask that you all pray for us to make the right decision. May God continue to bless us all. Thank you.

[AnnGora]

Ben Stein caves.

[Sloth]

John McCain?!?!

Well, screw Ben Stein.

[Pan_Yans Wife]

John McCain as Secretary of Defense? What an outrage.

[Mr Rogers]

What a STUPID idea!

My respect for Ben Stein has just plummeted.

[Numbers Guy]

I greatly enjoy Ben Stein's writing and his humor. But he is a bit of a whiner (as anyone who has read his comments on airline travel knows).

[RightOnline]

Ben Ben Ben Ben Ben.............we just don't need this right now, my friend.

[Behind Liberal Lines]

I like Stein, but he's wrong on this one. Even if you concede, and only a fool wouldn't concede, that mistakes were made in Iraq (mostly in terms of allowing looting and not being tough enough on the "insurgents" in the beginning), a speech like this is tantamount to surrender. Bush might as well save himself the trouble and pull all the troops out.

And why in heaven would Ben think that McCain would even take the Secretary of Defense job?

[Always Right]

Scrappleface???

[MadelineZapeezda]

McKLA???????????????????WTF, Ben?

[A Citizen Reporter]

Ben Stein and John McCain are delusional.

Somebody needs to get John McCain's ego under control. The man is a danger to this country.

[Valin]

a speechwriter for the President, like I was for Mr. Nixon and Mr. Ford


I love his columns in the American Spectator but this speaks volume's.

[Dark Skies]

We are killing terrorists in Iraq. Is that a bad thing?

[johnny7]

Hey Ben... keep yer' f _ _ kin' money!

[Steel Wolf]

Ben's usually right on the money. He must be having "a case of the Mondays." I think his heart is in the right place on this one, but John McCain?

[Mo1]

Therefore, I have this morning accepted Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's resignation with sincere thanks for his service to the nation. He will be replaced by a truly heroic American, Senator John McCain of Arizona

Is he insane?

[musikman]

McCain? Who was that great General that had no problem speaking his mind? Honorare? Something like that. He's the one I'd want. Notice how things go so much worse after Tommy Franks left?

Anyway, I think his speech should lay the blame where it belongs, right at the feet of the Media and the Democrats. If they had supported this country instead of the terrorists, the war would have been won months ago.

[lentulusgracchus]

At least it would put him in the position of "put up or shut up". Or better still, "put up and shut up!"

But I agree Ben Stein appears to have caved in, possibly to keep his job at CBS? Nah, I don't think he'd do that. I think the environment got to him, though -- the hyena-like triumphalism over ever big truck-bomb, rising casualties, and Iraqi government struggles and dissension as the jihadis try to put across their own "Tet".

[Egon]

Well, this is disappointing.

[Hatteras]

"Therefore, I am convening an official, national, bi-partisan, blue ribbon commission composed of Democrats, Independents and Republicans, civilian and military, to start meeting at once and give me a recommendation in one month as to what our Iraq policy should be. All options are on the table. All. "

I sense a little tongue-in-cheek here. Ben Stein does have a very dry wit.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Interesting timing isn't it? Ya think McEgo's slightly threatened by Duncan Hunter's predicted announcement today?

Naaaaaaaaa!