Posted on 02/12/2002 3:47:27 AM PST by 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."
It was supposedto, dumbass. That's why Bush said it.
(eye roll)
If our foreign policy were run by the likes of Senator Daschle, we would never get anything done except "sanctions" and "multilateral taskforces."
More moral relativism from the Axis of Idiocy.
Yet Daschle went around Europe last spring telling all the heads of state that the President of the United States was a moron. And now he's doing it again.
There are times to speak out, certainly. But Daschle's conduct is really beyond the pale. It's what is commonly called "giving aid and comfort to the enemy." As a matter of fact, it's pretty much like clinton going over to England as a Rhodes Scholar on the taxpayer's dime to organize protests against his own country.
Say goodnight, Dick. Goodnight, Dick.
Given this pronounced death-wish Daschle's developed, why doesn't the man just hint that he has the goods on Clinton, and be done with it? Know what I mean?
Dan
Pray for GW and the Truth!
You're right. Must be my 'half-zeimers'(not quite to Alzheimer's) {;~)
Why would Dick Martin be saying goodnight to Gephardt anyway?
Was it Tom Smothers that said, "Goodnight, mom"?
BACKPEDAL TOMMY BACKPEDAL!!!!!!
His record clearly associates him with evil. As usual, he is surreptitiously defending his side. If he criticizes his master too much, he may be "downsized" (even more).
Bush also very pointedly said one thing directly to Daschle, "Don't ever LIE to me."
How close is supporting the President's 'War on Terror' a lie, when taken in the light of this statement?
Daschle has just opened the gate, IMHO, and while he may/will blame Bush for the stampede coming at him, he has no one to blame but himself.
Don't feel bad, Tommy, Napoleon and 'Slick Willy' came up short, too. {;~)
(And, yes, you can call me a 'mean-spirited Republican'. That doesn't make it so. I don't like communists/socialists posing as democrats, and truth is not meant to be 'mean-spirited', it is meant to be the TRUTH.)
Senator Daschle, Please stop undermining President Bush's efforts to fight our enemies!
I can understand your parisanship regarding some of President Bush's policies and proposals, although I don't agree with you. I understand your need to drive down President Bush's popularity with the attempt to scandalize President Bush with Enron, etc. I understand your passionate need to withold tax breaks and economic stimulus to try to cap the recovery of the economy in an attempt to give President Bush a sluggish economy going into the fall election cycle. I understand these things and these points make it clear that you are willing to put your personal gain and that of your party ahead of the countrys good, but with the position you've taken as quoted in the AP article above, you've gone much too far. Mr. Daschle, you are undermining the safety and security of the Nation!
Mr. Daschle, do you remember the scene in "The Godfather" where Sonny makes a comment during a meeting with another gang that undermines The Godfather's authority and position? Not that I would compare you or President Bush to the Mafia, but the illustration makes a point. Public bickering and undermining of the leader the world looks to for guidance in this time of war shows weakness in our unity and resolve. That is what your comment has done and you should retract it immediately and fully support President Bush. Fully, completely and unequivocally support President Bush.
Mr. Daschle, would you please stop and think about our children and grand-children? Since September 11 I think about mine all the time. I think, "what kind of a country and world are we giving them? What world situation are we leaving them? Will my grandsons and granddaughters have to fight for every freedom I take for granted? Will they have to live in fear of some insane, radical religious group that is dedicated to destroying them and all that's good in the US?"
President Bush is right, Mr. Daschle. Our enemies are Evil. Our enemies are supported by Evil governments in other countries that are dedicated to destroying us. It really doesn't matter what religion these evil people claim to profess or hide behind. That is only cover for their evil intentions. It really doesn't matter if they are offended or upset by President Bush's well aimed and clearly communicated warning. Get this, Mr. Daschle, these evil people are already mad at us and intend to destroy us. What reaction did you expect, Mr. Daschle? An apology from them? Maybe an attempt to open an honest dialog to explain their concerns and restore good diplomatic relations? No, they are going to react by repeating their same old America is The Great Satan crap!
Mr. Daschle, Ive watched you try to undermine President Bush in many ways beginning with your idiotic attempts in Florida with Mr.Gephardt to justify the Gore campaigns attempt to circumvent Florida's election laws right up to the blocking of the stimulus iniatives with an unconstitutional 60 vote requirement for a vote. That's politics, and politics played poorly, I might add. But this latest attempt to undermine President Bush's foriegn policy is beyond the pale and almost Anti-American.
Stop now, Mr.Daschle. Stop your ill-advised partisan bickering before you make it appear to the Evil Ones that there is a weakness in our President and our Government. These enemies are Jackals waiting to see a sign of weakness. Clinton continually showed them our weaknesses and they struck. Will you be the next to advertise our weakness? Will you become our weakness? Stop and refute your position now.
"As Mayor of the Munchkin City, In the Senate of the U.S.A, I caution Bush most regally, but I can't do it legally, You see (you see?) 'cause we ('cause we?) are morally, ethic'lly, spiritually, mentally, Positively, absolutely, undeniably and politically dead!"
OUTSTANDING
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