Daschle:Bush's 'Axis' Phrase Wrong (GAG ALERT)

AP | Feb. 11, 2002 | ChristopherNewton

[mware]

Daschle: Bush's 'Axis' Phrase Wrong
Mon Feb 11, 9:22 PM ET
By CHRISTOPHER NEWTON, Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON - Senate Majority leader Tom Daschle said President Bush (news - web sites) was wrong to label Iran, Iraq and North Korea (news - web sites) as an "axis of evil," the first major criticism from a leading Democrat about the war on terror.

In an interview Monday on PBS' "The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer," Daschle said the comment has had repercussions around the world. "I think that it's important for us to look at each of these countries as threats to this country clearly, as problems that we've got to address clearly," Daschle said. "But I think we've got to be very careful with the rhetoric of that kind. We've already seen the moderates in Iran scramble to draw distance between us and them, and I think we've got to be very careful with how we approach all three countries."

Daschle's comments seemed to redefine his position on Bush's imagery. Just after Bush gave his State of the Union address to Congress, in which he used the "axis of evil" description of Iran, Iraq and North Korea, Daschle said it was necessary to target the three.

On Monday, Daschle tempered his criticism with the observation that he believes the three pose a threat. But he said he just didn't like Bush's word choice. "He's right in calling attention to the danger they pose to the United States," Daschle said. "He's right in calling for strategy. I would hope we could do it multilaterally and not unilaterally, because I think that's where we get into trouble."

The imagery has set off shock waves at home and across the globe. Hundreds of thousands of Iranians chanted "Death to America" during demonstrations Monday to mark the 23rd anniversary of the Islamic Revolution. Some carried signs denouncing Bush for the comment. Many Iranians who said they rarely join such celebrations spoke of taking to the streets to show solidarity.

North Korea called off a visit by a group of former U.S. ambassadors in reaction to Bush's harsh words. Iraqi President Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) said Bush's speech was "nonsense."

Daschle also said he didn't think the United States had justified taking any military action against Iraq. "We want to avoid at all costs the terror of 9-11," Daschle said. "If they're building weapons of mass destruction, we've got to deal with it. But I don't think the case has yet been made."

[mware]

"We want to avoid at all costs the terror of 9-11," Daschle said. "If they're building weapons of mass destruction, we've got to deal with it. But I don't think the case has yet been made."

What does Daschle need an atomic bomb to drop on his head to make the case???

[goldstategop]

Tommy Daschund apparently hasn't heard the chants of "Death to America" ringing in from Teheran. Apparently Sen. Daschund is politically autistic when it comes to recognizing and dealing with evil.

[SirFishalot]

Bush should do the right thing and ammend his statement, he should add Daschle to that axis of evil list.

[Peach]

Daschle doesn't think the case has been made that Iran, Iraq and N. Korea are building weapons of mass destruction? Where has he been? Doesn't he talk to his colleagues on the Senate Intelligence Committee? You'd be hard pressed to find another person on the planet who DOESN'T think these countries are frantically trying to buy/build these weapons. Daschle just never met a microphone he didn't like and couldn't think of anything else to say and so he said something stupid (again).

[goldstategop]

Good idea! Now can we send in the helos to take down the Rat National Committee HQ's? ;-)

[Tigercap]

Bush should do the right thing and ammend his statement, he should add Daschle to that axis of evil list.

LOL!!!

[goldstategop]

Poor widdle Tommy Daschund is also out of the loop... he also missed the message sent to NATO by Joe Lieberman and John McCain a week ago. What a moron.

[goldstategop]

I wonder what the Rats would say about THAT characterization?? :-)

[Puppage]

Daschle also said "squeek, squeek...I surrender".

[throwthebumsout]

It appears that little Tommy has lost his pair. Maybe he can borrow Janet Reno's.

[Peach]

So much for standing "shoulder to shoulder" with President Bush. We all knew that wouldn't last long and wasn't sincere.

[mware]

I suspect that Little Tommy will be hiding out from the Sunday talk shows again this week. This little rant is even worse than the one about President Bush causing the recession.

Daschle is so out of touch with the American people.

[goldstategop]

Yup. And now we know why he's so unpopular with his own South Dakota constituents. After an inane comment like this, what must they think of their Senator now? He doesn't even represent their views.

[Cyber Liberty]

Kewl...Dasshole's decided to fight Bush on Bush's home turf. This bodes well for us.

[RogueIsland]

Apparently Sen. Daschund is politically autistic

"Politically autistic". I like that one.

[mware]

Sounds like Daschle is more concerned with what the enemy thinks of us than our nations safety.

[goldstategop]

Sounds like a.... <drumroll - liberal! Oh goodness South Dakotans, are you sure this man speaks for you? First dump Tim Johnson and make plans to retire Tommy Daschund next time around.

[Yankee]

Tommy Dash-hole's mouth.

The gift that keeps on giving!

[gaspar]

Some people never demonstrate what they are made of until given a position of responsibility. The voters of South Dakota certainly have nothing to be proud of. If they couldn't see before that Daschle is shameful, small politician, they ought to realize it now.

[Orangedog]

Is this fool up for re-election this year? For the life of me I cant understand why South Dakota keeps sending him back to the Senate.