Posted on 11/09/2006 9:01:04 AM PST by jmc1969
President George W. Bush, signaling a more conciliatory approach after suffering electoral losses this week, said on Thursday he was "open to any idea or suggestion" on the Iraq war.
The incoming Democratic-controlled Congress is expected to exert more pressure on Bush for a course correction in Iraq amid rising U.S. casualties and violence.
"I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds," Bush said in a Rose Garden appearance with members of his Cabinet.
(Excerpt) Read more at today.reuters.com ...
Uh-oh.
As if he wasn't open to suggestions on November 6?
He's just baiting the Democrats to make stupid suggetions. They have no plan and everyone knows it.
The upside of the situation, is that now there is no political value for the Democrats to oppose the war. Now they must deal with it.
In fact, we ARE WINNING the war, so the best thing the Democrats can do at this time is HELP us to continue winning the war.
It gives us an opportunity to shift tactics dramatically, and this might not be all bad.
Bush can play "Good cop" with the Iraqi government telling them that now the Dems have Congress, the Iraqi government is going to have to really stand up or the Dems (bad cop) will pull the rug out from under him/them.
I think we can make this work in a way that we come out ahead.
The other thing, pretty soon we are going to be up against Iran and Syria... the Dems cannot gain politically by screwing that up. I think they will realize that we must PULL TOGETHER and win the WOT.
Of course, I am always an optimist..so I might be deluding myself.
The Democrat's success in conducting wars is poor to say the least. And Bush wants suggestions from them? If I'm a terrorist I'm seeing victory on the horizon.
Not saying he has to take them. I just disagree that Bush's statement represents any sort of new tone. The only new tone is that found in the media, which sees a brighter world now that the Dems are in nominal control of Congress.
"I'm open to suggestion."
"Bush lied."
"No, really. What do you want to do?"
"Bush lied."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"So what do you think of this Sadr fellow?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"How about the Iraqi partitioning plan?"
"Bush lied."
"So do you think we should raise the troop levels?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"Hey, thanks for the input. Have a nice day."
I fear that his continued reliance on Bush 41's stable--Baker, et al--shows he's gotten the wrong message, the one that wrecked Bush 41's presidency. But he is trying to recover his footing in this new environment, and it seems to me he's trying to show he's not going to be a lame duck but will try new things.
I just hope he doesn't continue down this path permanently. The Bush family seems to think a presidency should become more "mainstream" as it goes, when what 43 SHOULD be doing is becoming more hardcore conservative. Because as I see it, 2008 is going to be The Return of Conservatism. Why do I think this? Because for all its flaws, the GOP held the majority for 12 years and now the libs will be racing to get as much done in two years as they can because the simple fact is Americans don't like liberals. (They DO like spenders...until they get their pet project funded, then they want "responsible government".)
Bush HAS to walk this road now. But it's just a shortcut, not a highway. He had better get on the Conservative Expressway by next spring, and if he does he will be well-positioned to say "I TRIED working it their way, but look what those crazy libs are doing!" The public wants him to work with them...until they learn how crazy they are in DC. Then, after following the people's demands, he can say "I did it your way, and look at what I found? Now YOU follow ME."
He CAN do this. I just hope he will. But so many politicians want to be liked that they won't take the risky moves needed for political courage to take root again.
Bingo!
Regards, Ivan
Weak weak weak..... LOL
The las War we won was by a Democrat, Harry Truman, who then proceeded to invent limited warfare called it a police action and we haven't won anything since.
They'd say, "you broke it, you own it."
Good. It's about time someone asked what they have in mind. I am sure the public will like to here there answer.
It's a trap question.
Bush can reply. "Oh? So you're forefeiting Iraq policy to me? Is that what you said you were going to do? I think not."
Regards, Ivan
I'm sure he is sincere, but you are right, it IS a trap question. He is going to "appease" the democrats to death. Kill them with kindness and cooperation..... for a while.
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