I ask again, isn't the reverse also true? He gets credit for the successes as well.
Instead of making the enemy tremble in fear, it gave them a focal phrase to energize them.
LOL, one of the more amusing criticisms you've offered. The enemy no more took that as a challenge than they would our postings here. They forgot it a week after it was said, unless you count the times the media dredged it up as you are doing on this thread.
Here's one I remember about Bush. An unannounced appearrance one afternoon not too many months after 9-11 where a steely-eyed Bush looked straight into the camera with a look in his eye that was dead-on serious and threatening and said "If you do this, we will hunt you down!"
That, joesbuck, was a message that the enemy KNEW BEYOND A SHADOW OF A DOUBT was intended for it.
What it specifically pertained to, I don't want to speculate or know. I remember it made my blood run cold....then warm with admiration for Bush. Plus it's hard to argue with 5 years of no subsequent attacks on America and who knows how many plots thwarted in the meantime.
You're are doing a lot of moaning about being challenged here on FR. Perhaps it's YOUR view that's more than a little skewed.
Of course you may believe what you desire. But if the President believes it is an issue, then it must have been something that didn't have positive consequences.
As for his steely eyed look. Yep, had I been in his sights, it would have freeked the bejesus out of me. The problem is, I ain't the enemy that is being fought. They work from an entirely different mindset. I could never be a car bomber. Seems they don't have a draught finding those more than willing to be one. I couldn't behead someone. Clearly, they can.
The one thing I expected during Saddam's execution was him kicking, screaming, crying.....anything we'd consider cowardly. I hate to say this. He took it more like a man more than most people I know. Sure, he had no choice......but most dictators are sniveling cowards. He didn't snivel. He didn't cry. He didn't cry out for mercy from his executioners. I'm sure those who are the enemy who are in the trenches have less emotion than he has. They simply don't care.
So sure, the President could have struck fear into you and me with his expression and comments. I believe it didn't have that effect on the enemy. Maybe even quite the contrary.