A day in the life of President Bush (debate): 8/8/02

The incredible minds of FreeRepublic

[rintense]

Since there aren't any photos today, I thought we could try something new. Instead of posting your favorite photos, let's have a friendly debate (and I mean friendly, damn it!)

Tonight's topic: Media stories about Iraq: Pentagon plants or True stories. Discuss.

RULES: 1. Be respectful of others' opinions.
2. If you use sources, please cite them.
3. No flaming!
4. See rule 1.

[Miss Marple]

That is why I am not terribly concerned about the leaks. I think that if there are some true reports buried in all of this, Rummy and the President are smart enough to churn out a plan a day until Saddam goes bonkers. Plus, it makes the Clintonista efforts look futile, and it makes the press look like a bunch of simpletons, which they are.

Lots of things are being done that the press is totally missing. And I am not about to give them a clue.

[ohioWfan]

Hang a CD near your bushes. The reflections will scare the deer away..........honest. :o)

rintense, great discussion! We're packing a U-Haul to take our daughter to Milwaukee. I'll jump into the discussion later if I've got another minute!

[TontoKowalski]

The President's trip to Mississippi was BIG in a way that the media didn't report. He was in the company of US Rep Chip Pickering, Judge Charles Pickering's son.

Loss of a House seat forced the two junior Congressmen into the same district. Chip is in a pitched battle with Dimocrat Ronnie Shows. The President's visit will help out Big Time. If I'm not mistaken, I saw a photo yesterday of The President and Congressman Pickering coming off AF1 together.

FWIW, Ronnie Shows is running from his national party just as hard as he can. I don't live in-state anymore, but I understand that Chip is doing an excellent job of tieing him to the liberals.

[CyberAnt]

I think that's how it works! This admin is so smart - the liberals have no idea what's going on!

[DrDeb]

Re: Iraq

FoxNews/Opinion Dynamic Poll

Poll: Get Rid of Saddam

Thursday, August 08, 2002
By Dana Blanton

While a majority of Americans support President Bush’s stated intention to use U.S. military action to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein from power, they become more skeptical as costs -- either in lives lost or from lengthy fighting -- increase.

A FOX News national poll conducted this week by the research firm Opinion Dynamics found that 69 percent of Americans support military action to remove Hussein while 22 percent oppose it.

These numbers are down slightly from results of a Fox News poll taken shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, when 77 percent supported military action to bring down the Iraqi leader (November 2001).

Support for taking action softens when qualifiers are placed on the use of U.S. troops, such as the loss of a significant number of soldiers' lives and prolonged war. When these qualifiers are added, support for military action drops to about half of the public.

Earlier this week it was reported that members of the military's Joint Chiefs of Staff are now backing a U.S.-led mission to get rid of Hussein.

"Americans have gotten used to easy and relatively painless victories in the Desert Storm, the Balkans, and most recently Afghanistan," said Opinion Dynamics President John Gorman. "The administration has to be concerned that in the event of a bloody or costly invasion, public support might erode quickly. The numbers already show signs of quick drop-off in support as we raise issues."

A slim majority (53 percent) is concerned that congressional hearings about a possible U.S. attack would give away secrets, while another 37 percent think Congress should hold hearings on the matter.

Polling was conducted by telephone August 6-7, 2002 in the evenings. The sample is 900 registered voters nationwide with a margin of error of ± 3 percentage points.

1. Which country do you think is a stronger supporter of terrorism and poses the greater immediate danger to the United States: Iran or Iraq?

1. Iran 18%
2. Iraq 49
3. (Both) 23
4. (Neither) 2
5. (Not sure) 8

2. Do you support or oppose U.S. military action to remove Iraqi President Saddam Hussein?

Support Oppose (Not sure)
6-7 Aug 02 69% 22 9
9-10 Jul 02 72% 18 10
30 Apr-1 May 02 70% 20 10
30-31 Jan 02 74% 15 11
28-29 Nov 01* 77% 12 11

* Wording: " . . .action against Iraq and Iraqi President Saddam Hussein"

3. Would you support or oppose the military action even if it means thousands of American soldiers' lives would be lost?

1. Support 52%
2. Oppose 15
3. (Not sure) 11
4. (Oppose Q2) 22

4. Would you support or oppose the military action even if it means a war lasting up to five years?

1. Support 49%
2. Oppose 20
3. Not sure 9
4. (Oppose Q2) 22

5. Do you think Congress should have hearings to discuss the U.S. taking military action against Iraq, or would congressional hearings give away too much information?

1. Congress should have hearings 37%
2. Congressional hearings would give away too much info 53
3. (Not sure) 10



CBS News also released a poll today on this subject -- their analysis was typically skewed to reflect RATher's liberal perspective.

BUSH APPROVAL RATINGS
Now
Overall 66%
Terrorism 72%
Economy 45%

July 2002
Overall 65%
Terrorism 70
Economy 44

NOTE: After several weeks of unparalleled RAT/media attacks and WallStreet upheaval, W's numbers actually increased slightly -- if you control for the polling source and margin of error, I'm quite sure his numbers are actually over 70% just as Gallup indicated last week! [Unfortunately, I couldn't access the complete data -- I always like to check the disapproval/not sure numbers. I'm positive his 'CBS' disapproval numbers are still well under 30%, which is why RATher, et al, didn't publish them!!]

[kayak]

I just got the following in an email ...... thought I'd pass it on ......

September 11, 2002, is soon approaching. On that day, please wear red, white, and blue to work or school to show your support for those who lost their lives on 9~11~01 and to honor the heroes who worked to save them and the families left behind.

At noon your time on September 11, 2002, no matter where you are or what you are doing, stop, put your hand on your heart, and say the Pledge of Allegiance out loud or to yourself and say a prayer for our nation.

If all of us do this together in every time zone around the world, we will have a powerful chain of thoughts surrounding us. Please keep this going to your friends and family. By September 11, 2002 hopefully enough people will have read this and will join together in unity.

God Bless the U.S.A.

[looney tune]

Good tip. I'll hang Barbra Streisand out there.

[alnick]

Here's one that I liked from yesterday.

[alnick]

Here's one that I liked from yesterday.

[CyberAnt]

Hmmmm? I felt the same way!

[looney tune]

It wasn't that long ago that they reopened the street in front of the WH. Now they're closing it to trucks. Something ain't right.

[McLynnan]

Dr Deb posted a link in #97 with some great photos from the Mississippi trip. Here's the AF1 picture:

[CyberAnt]

I'd love to do that, but the picture I prize the most is on my computer and there is no way I can post it. However, I could email it to someone if they would be inclined to post it for me - that is if they don't have AOL.

[Darlin']

"and will send Cheney over again. "

The Vice President is vacationing in Wyoming this month but he is scheduled to have a video conference with some "Iraqi opposition rebels" on Saturday morning. Another nice little yank on the chain.

[CyberAnt]

Actually, the left hand tells a tale all its own. The looks on their faces says all that needs to be said.

[Kaslin]

[TontoKowalski]

Thanks, that's the one I was referring to. My computer is on the blink and I can't see to get to her link.

Another thing about this race. Ronnie Shows has been playing the WorldCom mess for all it's worth. Their HQ is in the district in question. To have the President give a speech about Corporate Responsibility in that district, with Chip at his side, must have made Shows and the dimocrats swoon.

I know, it's only one House Seat, but it's important that Chip retain that seat. Thanks for the visit, Mr. President!

[Freedom'sWorthIt]

Iraq - the President said he is patient. I believe him and I am too. Like the Demrats. Let Iraq drill themselves into such a big hole and the we move. There is no need to hurry. If he gets too out of bounds too soon, the Israeli's might take care of him for us!

I heard an opposition group from Iraq say today that they are ready to go and help bring Iraq in to Democracy, etc. Didn't hear the rest of their statement - but at least it was good to hear the "others" who want to rule Iraq - in a sane way.....sounding much like the Afghan rulers now in power there.

Here is a picture of the some BushBabes from the visit to Mississippi someone was asking for maybe?

So what FR Bushbabes do we know in Mississippi?

[CyberAnt]

These people are so shallow - the green face is so appropriate! LOL

[lonestar]

I've already forgotten! Back to getting re X's in the box! How in the world did you cut Laura's foot off?

Nevermind.