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The Lonely President
Real Clear Politics ^ | 12/13/06 | Tony Blankley

Posted on 12/13/2006 7:50:21 AM PST by Obadiah

The American presidency has been called "A Glorious Burden" by the Smithsonian Museum, and the loneliest job in the world by historians. As we approach Christmas 2006 Anno Domini, President Bush is surely fully seized of the loneliness and burden of his office. For rarely has a president stood more alone at a moment of high crisis than does our president now as he makes his crucial policy decisions on the Iraq War. His political opponents stand triumphant, yet barren of useful guidance. Many -- if not most -- of his fellow party men and women in Washington are rapidly joining his opponents in a desperate effort to save their political skins in 2008. Commentators who urged the president on in 2002-03, having fallen out of love with their ideas, are quick to quibble with and defame the president. James Baker, being called out of his business dealings by Congress to advise the president, has delivered a cynical document intended to build a political consensus for "honorable" surrender.

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


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: presidentbush; wot
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I still have a hard time with Tony due to his demand that Hastert resign - weeks before the mid term - but I think this is an important article. I think we need to pray for President Bush. Much is at stake. I know just about everyone has now given up on Bush and Iraq, but we ought not allow the pessimists to overcome us.

It is easy to simply give up and make all the hardship go away, however, the reality is that should we simply give up, we will find the consequences of that decision will be even more unbearable - by far.

The Democrats and the media have long been singing the siren song of withdrawing - "Peace with honor" - exactly as they did in Vietnam. We must not let them prevail again. Disaster will surely follow.

One criticism I do have of President Bush is that he allowed himself to get snookered into having Jim Baker anywhere near writing such a sensitive report dealing with Iraq. It was a known recipe for turmoil and trouble. In my estimation Baker is an oily snake, and he has once again done no favors to the President or to the American public. Rather, Baker has been allowed to yet again stoke his own ego and bring disaster to a sitting President.

Recall, it was JIM BAKER - almost alone - who counseled President Reagan in the entire Iran-Contra affair and we all know how well THAT turned out!

1 posted on 12/13/2006 7:50:26 AM PST by Obadiah
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To: Obadiah

This report should have only been staffed by current MILITARY personnel from Generals on down to Privates serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. What a joke that politicians would attempt to come up with any conclusions! BLowhards and useless idiots the lot of them!


2 posted on 12/13/2006 7:53:08 AM PST by princess leah
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To: Obadiah
James Baker, being called out of his business dealings by Congress to advise the president, has delivered a cynical document intended to build a political consensus for "honorable" surrender...... ??????????????????

President George W Bush is the only man with any honor left standing, since this cabal of has beens who comprise the 'Iraq surrender Group', along with the spineless 'elected representatives' of the people have absconded their duty.
Pray for the President, pray for our troops, lets win this thing in Iraq and move on...... Iran & Syria are waiting.
3 posted on 12/13/2006 7:59:46 AM PST by IrishMike (Democrats .... Stuck on Stupid, RINO's ...the most vicious judas goats)
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To: Obadiah

I still stand with him. I believed going into Iraq was the right thing to do, still believe so, even now when the work is difficult.


4 posted on 12/13/2006 8:17:21 AM PST by Ramius ([sip])
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To: IrishMike

Surrender is NOT peace.


5 posted on 12/13/2006 8:17:47 AM PST by SMARTY ("Stay together, pay the soldiers and forget everything else." Lucius Septimus Severus)
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To: SMARTY
"Surrender is NOT peace."

AMEN!!!

6 posted on 12/13/2006 8:22:33 AM PST by Nancee
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To: Ramius
"I still stand with him. I believed going into Iraq was the right thing to do, still believe so, even now when the work is difficult."

DITTO!!!

7 posted on 12/13/2006 8:23:36 AM PST by Nancee
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To: Obadiah
"James Baker, being called out of his business dealings by Congress to advise the president, has delivered a cynical document intended to build a political consensus for 'honorable' surrender."

In this case, an "honorable" surrender is a contradiction in terms!!

Nancee

8 posted on 12/13/2006 8:25:48 AM PST by Nancee
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To: Obadiah

Give em hell George.


9 posted on 12/13/2006 8:26:27 AM PST by Manic_Episode (Some mornings, it's just not worth chewing through the leather straps...)
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To: Obadiah
There is a distinct and palpable difference between Bush and Lincoln: Lincoln was quick to fire those who demonstrated incompetency or lack of resolve: (Simon Cameron, Generals McClellan, Pope, Meade, Burnside and McDowell). Lincoln also was smart enough to seek input from a broad spectrum of advisers (many were Dims) and did not load up with a circle of sycophants around him. He listened to those who knew something about war strategy (General Scott's Anaconda plan) and embraced those who knew about fighting it with effective blocades (Admirals Farragut and Dahlgren). Bush, OTOH, retained services of neocons such as Perle, Wolfowitz and Rumsfeld to advise him on the war and rejected the advice of military generals like Zinni and Shinseki on troop levels.
10 posted on 12/13/2006 8:31:51 AM PST by meandog (If it feels good, don't do it!)
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To: Ramius

So will I.

Send a card to the White House.


11 posted on 12/13/2006 8:33:56 AM PST by Howlin
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To: Nancee

But surrender worked out so well for Austria in WWII. </sarcasm>


12 posted on 12/13/2006 8:37:45 AM PST by ark_girl
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To: Obadiah
I know just about everyone has now given up on Bush and Iraq, but we ought not allow the pessimists to overcome us.

Not me. I love President Bush and I trust him. He should rely upon his own judgement and should stop trying please everyone by "listening to his advisors".

13 posted on 12/13/2006 8:37:54 AM PST by afraidfortherepublic
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To: ark_girl
But surrender worked out so well for Austria in WWII.

When? When it surrendered to the allies? Or, do you mean when the nation opted to VOTE in the Nazi party?

14 posted on 12/13/2006 8:48:10 AM PST by meandog (If it feels good, don't do it!)
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To: Obadiah

Bush has only himself to blame.


15 posted on 12/13/2006 8:50:55 AM PST by DTogo (I haven't left the GOP, the GOP left me.)
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To: Obadiah

President Bush is NOT alone....as much as this author would try and make it seem that way. Sheesh. He's got his God, his wife, and family, and millions of others....but, without the MSM and idiot politicians on his side, some think he is lonely. Such narcissists.


16 posted on 12/13/2006 8:57:18 AM PST by goodnesswins (I think the real problem is islamo-bombia! (Rummyfan))
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To: goodnesswins

bttt

President Bush would agree with you. He relies on the truth of 2 Corinthians 12: 10
http://bible.cc/2_corinthians/12-10.htm


17 posted on 12/13/2006 9:12:53 AM PST by Matchett-PI (To have no voice in the Party that always sides with America's enemies is a badge of honor.)
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To: Obadiah
You know, back in WW II, if we had lost, it would have been terrible but I think history would have at least recognized that we went up against top notch militaries. I find it nearly unbelievable that people want to cut and run away from a bunch of thugs, whose only strategy - broadcast time and time again - is to demoralize the American public. I hope I do not anger people with this, but I just wish the President could say this. I guess I mean say it in a way people can relate to. Use, for example, street crime in any large U.S. city and ask, do you want to run away from these type of people.

I don't know. I'm just an old, fat retired sailor who never made it past E6. These career officers are suppose to have the answers - they are the ones who attend the war colleges and such. The officers on the ground over there are caught between a rock and a hard place - their career or doing what is right. Is it past time to tell the Iraqis over there no more bs, we're taking over and we're going to come down hard? I want the President to succeed because then America wins. And I realize that while casualties are low compared to other wars, the media keeps pounding away on it. President Bush is right - there are no do-overs and you have to live with the decisions you make. Billy Jeff got a pass because he never made hard decisions. I pray for this President and the United States.

18 posted on 12/13/2006 9:21:05 AM PST by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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To: Obadiah

Bush has millions of friends and supporters if he would only take more trouble to reach out to them. Would that he would speak to his base more often, and spend less time making nice to Teddy Kennedy and Nancy Pelosi. Or Lincoln Chaffee.

Why on EARTH would he put his money and his support behind Lincoln Chaffee while he let Rick Santorum dangle in the wind? Why on EARTH did he let Bill Simon get shot down and then reach out for help and sympathy to the likes of Arnold Schwarzenneger?

He has spent far too much time making nice to his enemies and ignoring his real supporters.


19 posted on 12/13/2006 9:22:53 AM PST by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: meandog

Sorry meandog, half to disagree with you on this. From what I have read, the top officers over there have said no to more troops. So, I guess you have to fire them, also.


20 posted on 12/13/2006 9:23:36 AM PST by 7thson (I've got a seat at the big conference table! I'm gonna paint my logo on it!)
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