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

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."

Here is the interview in part from Newshour with Jim Lehrer:

"JIM LEHRER: Another subject, Senator. Was the president right to label Iran, Iraq, and North Korea as being an axis of evil?

SEN. TOM DASCHLE: I don't think so. I think that it's important for us to look at each of these countries, Jim, as threats to this country clearly, as problems that we've got to address clearly, 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.

He's right in calling attention to the danger they pose to the United States. 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.

JIM LEHRER: Iraq seems to be the place though where there might be the most imminent action, if any, coming. Do you think the case has been made for the United States to take action, military action against Iraq?

SEN. TOM DASCHLE: I don't think it has right now. We have to be very concerned. We want to avoid at all costs the terror of 9/11. 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. We still have a major job to do with phase one of the war on terror. We still haven't found bin Laden. We still haven't found Mohammed Omar -- we haven't found a lot of those in al-Qaida around the world that have to be found in order to deal with that level of terror, so I think we've got to take first things first.

The president hasn't called for any military action, and I think that's exactly right; we shouldn't at this point.

JIM LEHRER: Do you expect as Senate Majority Leader to be consulted before there would be military action against Iraq?

SEN. TOM DASCHLE: Absolutely. I don't think there's any question that it's important for Congress to be full partners; we need to be involved not only in consultation but in decision making, and I would hope that that would happen.

JIM LEHRER: There have not been any preliminary conversations about this?

SEN. TOM DASCHLE: There have not, no."

The NEW AXIS OF EVIL!!!

Iraq, Iran, North Korea & D'Asch_Hole_cRATS

The man has reached new lows putting him bascially on equal footing with the TRIMPOTUS (x42) he believed and defended;" PERIOD".

It is time for Tommy Bin Daschle to go.

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