Peggy Noonan: The Paragraph- Help the White House make the case for re-election

Opinion Journal ^ | 02/12/04 | Peggy Noonan

[Pokey78]

When you are a conservative and tend to support conservatives, it will come as a surprise, and an unwelcome one, when you ding one, as I dinged President Bush the other day about his "Meet the Press" performance. Of those who responded, about 60% disagreed with me, and the rest were more or less in agreement. Many of those who disagreed with me said they thought the president had done well with Tim Russert, that the interview made clear his decency and sincerity. Others said I was kicking the president when he's down and that's the problem with conservative pundits, they can't be trusted. My answer is the obvious one: It is the job of a writer to write the truth as he sees it, and if it's an uncomfortable truth, then so be it.

[Valin]

Hooray for me! Yup, I'm forced to admit I am pretty great.

[GraniteStateConservative]

Hey Noonan, you overlook a couple of things that are in most people's heads...

Sadly, you are so very wrong.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

When President Bush was first elected, we believed our biggest threat was of an economic downturn. Then the attacks on 9/11 told us differently. President Bush reacted thoughtfully, yet firmly, to secure our nation against international terrorists. Now that he has brought security to our nation, the Democrats again want us to believe that our biggest threat is an economic downturn. We know that isn't so, President Bush knows that isn't so, and international terrorists know it isn't so. Why should we trust the United States in the hands of someone who can't see that terrorism is still a threat?

That would be my paragraph.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Please do. Many people are confused. I say I'm 85% in agreement with Bush policies. I continue that I am 0% to 20% in agreement with Kerry depending on which side of a given issue he is flip flopping on that day. If they ask I explain.

So with 85% vs 20%-0% I am voting for Bush in November.

CG

[gobucks]

"jobs (repeatedly)"

There is an essential truth to what you're stating here. Roosevelt didn't just come to power by accident. From my perspective, the national security angle is THE ONLY angle right now, b/c if more attacks are forthcoming, it will lead to more joblessness.

I think Bush understands 'its the economy stupid" better than most realize; but nonetheless, thanks for clarifying the mindset of those who are single issued focused.

[Conspiracy Guy]

Thanks.

[Prodigal Son]

Elect Bush and get a knife in the back, sit home and let a demonrat stab you in the chest.

Well, this is how you see it. And I respect that. But just because you see it this way, doesn't mean you are right.

And in this case you are not. If you vote in a way that elects Kerry (or whoever the dems eventually vomit up) you are just suicidal.

I'm not being mean- so don't take it that way. It's just- there are much bigger things to worry about than whether we get a steady influx of Mexican immigrants- legal or illegal. It concerns me- don't get me wrong. But it pales in comparison to a nuke in NYC.

You see how it works? Your big issue is immigration. Mine is a terrorist nuke. I don't see how you could ever argue that your concern is more important than mine unless you can argue that 10 million live Mexican immigrants is worse than 10 million dead New Yorkers.

[Paul C. Jesup]

They are coming and staying REGARDLESS of what Bush proposes and implements.

So Gobucks, I should be forced to work to near-death for the rest of my life to pay for their welfare. And on top of that, they claim here illegally. YOU'RE FULL OF IT!! WARS HAVE BEEN STARTED OVER LESS!!

We need to stop dumping on Bush, stop dumping on them, and start acting like americans instead of sounding and behaving like the xenophobic japanese.

It is not racism, it is a matter of SURVIVAL.

Gobucks, answer me this, what point it there to obeying the law if everyone else is rewarded for BREAKING IT!!

[gridlock]

Here's my submission:

We are in for a long, hard fight. It will be tempting to let our resolve falter and harken back to easier times. But if we do this, the terrors of the past will be visited on us again one-hundred-fold. The President will keep us on the steady course to victory. Kerry would rather ignore the problem. The Republicans promise pain, suffering, and ultimately, just peace. The Democrats promise a brief period of peace and prosperity followed by cataclysm.

Make your choice.

[SBprone]

I remember a flashy Forbes cover story, written by Noonan during Clinton's first term, explaining why he would be a one-term President.

Peggy has many fine qualities as a writer, but she is absolutely clueless about electoral politics. You might as well get stock market advice from your mailman or interior design tips from your plumber.

[gobucks]

Look at it logically, if a nuke blows (by forgien terrorists) in a city full of socialist control-freaks who support the destruction of the rest of this country, including US. Then in a sick way, wouldn't that be a postitive event for the rest of us.

In short, NO! In a sick way, you don't get it. A nuke anywhere in N. America will cause a HUGE economic depression. Leftists WILL come to power. Is that what you want?

[Warren_Piece]

Here's mine. i didn't write it.

After all that has just passed -- all the lives taken, and all the possibilities and hopes that died with them -- it is natural to wonder if America's future is one of fear. Some speak of an age of terror. I know there are struggles ahead, and dangers to face. But this country will define our times, not be defined by them. As long as the United States of America is determined and strong, this will not be an age of terror; this will be an age of liberty, here and across the world. ...

I will not forget this wound to our country or those who inflicted it. I will not yield; I will not rest; I will not relent in waging this struggle for freedom and security for the American people

President Bush - September 20, 2001

[7thson]

I agree. We need to help him. Even though I have come not to like Hannity, I listen to his radio show by default. In between him plugging his books, flirting with women, and remarking what a great guy he is, a caller got through yesterday and said he jumped on the Bush reelection website and they give ideas as to what to do. I have to go there.

I think Noonan and others were wrong on President Bush's MTP interview. I did not see him as scared but more losing patience with an idiot who could not or would not understand his reasons. How simple do you want the answer? You want a picture with it? President Bush speaks his own way. For those people who continually wish he could speak better - well, it ain't going to happen. That is him - like it or leave it.

[isthisnickcool]

Sadly, you are so very wrong.

I'm in Texas so my view is likely wrong when applied to other states where people may don't use their heads. So, your point is well taken. I should have said "this is in most people's heads that use their heads".

[Prodigal Son]

Actually Japan, South Korea and Tiawan are on the technological edge in the world, we lag way behind in 4th place.

You didn't factor in geographical size. You factor that in and those nations you mention are lagging behind us. Our nation is VAST. It is something you take for granted until you live in a normal sized country. We have infrastructure problems that 99% of countries don't even have to think about.

We are the most advanced nation on Earth on a total scale of looking at things. You must absolutely, factor in our military dominance when you talk about this. We are much more advanced than any other nation in this respect. You must factor in our ability to move heaven and earth (referencing outer space and precision nukes).

You can't just talk about gadgets per person when you talk about national superiority. You've got to include the WHOLE enchilada and when it comes to America- no other nation is even in our league.

So get over that Tawain, Japan, North Korea BS. They're still playing T-Ball.

If you are talking about a city being nuked, no it is not that high.

Are you daft? Are you bloody daft!

Have you not been following the bloody news? There are nuke weapons supermarkets out there guy. Are you comfortable with that? Seriously, politics aside- are you comfortable with that? You are out of your gourd if you think you can poo-poo that problem.

Then in a sick way, wouldn't that be a postitive event for the rest of us.

So, basically, there is no effective difference between you and the Jihadis? As long as it kills people with whom you don't politically align yourself- this is ok?

Is it just me? This is sick. You are sick in the head if you think that way and you are definitely not someone I would want to associate with. Think about what you're saying here. For God's sake.

[logos]

President Bush and the war on terror is analagous to the farmer with rats in his corn crib. The farmer has only two choices: eliminate the rats or lose his hard-earned corn. He doesn't waste any time hating the rats; rats are rats and they do what they do - they eat corn. (Terrorists are terrorists and they do what they do - kill people at random to create chaos and confusion.) So the farmer does whatever he has to do to kill all the rats in his corn; he knows if he leaves even one he's wasted his time because one rat soon equals many rats. The farmer doesn't concern himself with whether his neighbor thinks he's humane, or doing the right thing, or doing it the right way; his concern is to kill the rats, every last one, and as quickly as possible. Sadly, our country is infested with rats. Do you want a President who will kill the rats, or do you want a President who will "love" the rats?

[Always Right]

Here's one they just posted, which was excellent:

Manny Wong - Phoenix, Ariz.

George W. Bush is a president for all Americans doing what is best for us and the country. There is security and safety in America again. The economy is on the rise and jobs are being created to solve the unemployment challenges but most of all the tax cut is elevating our quality of life and new businesses are flourishing. He will make America stronger, richer and more powerful and greater again. Let's roll!

[gobucks]

Gobucks, answer me this, what point it there to obeying the law if everyone else is rewarded for BREAKING IT!!

If your faith is in the 'law', no wonder you're upset. Bottom line, I don't know a SINGLE SOUL who 'obeys' the law in the full sense.

But I do know this: an awful huge number of leftists want to sell everyone on the idea that 'laws' are the highest moral product of man. This idea is distilled mental poison.

The 'point' is this: freedom is not a function of law. The U.S. constitution is NOT, NOT a document of laws. And no matter who is here, you will be working, we'll all be working.

Being angry about who is getting transfer payments is NOT going to americanize the recipients of those transfer payments. You have a valid point that certain laws are being totally ignored .... but, oh heck. I'm debating the immigration issue. *sigh*

[Capt. Jake]

"Let us be clear ofone thing: The terrorists who seek to destroy us will not disappear if we ignore them. They are real, and they are deadly. Inaction by the previous Democrat administration emboldened the terrorists, fed their hatred and contempt for us, and ultimately led to the horrific deaths of over 3,000 of our brothers and sisters, all on our soil. This election is, first and foremost, a referendum on how America responds to those who actively seek our destruction. The Kerry approach is to seek UN approval before we engage in self defense. To act in our self-interest only when France approves. I disagree. On January 20, 2001, I swore an oath to protect and defend the United States. That oath obligates me to take the fight to those who seek our destruction, to not rest until their capability to implement their wicked design is destroyed. Defense of this country is my duty, and I seek the approval of no one but you, my fellow Americans."

[Paul C. Jesup]

You didn't factor in geographical size. You factor that in and those nations you mention are lagging behind us. Our nation is VAST. It is something you take for granted until you live in a normal sized country. We have infrastructure problems that 99% of countries don't even have to think about.

Playing with the numbers does not help your arguement.

By the way, are infrastucture is lagging in some many ways; public school, an oppressive tax system (I am not talking about the amount of taxes, but the corruption itself), insane regulations and a government that rewards those who come here illegal at the expense of those who are born here.

It doesn't look so good to me.