Bush is boxing the Democrats on Iraq

boston globe ^ | today | E.J. Dionne, Jr

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

IT IS ABSURD to say that the Bush administration's Iraq policy is driven largely by this November's elections. It is equally absurd to deny that President Bush and his party are playing this issue for political gain and that the buildup to war has come at an extremely convenient time for Republicans.

[patriciaruth]

We will knock off: Cleland, Torricelli, Johnson (SD), Carnahan, and Wellstone. All GOP seats are held.

We end up with a 53-45-2 split in the Senate after Chafee bolts.

Oh, please, can I bet you on this? I so want to lose this bet that I am willing to pay you for you to be right.

I'm not so optimistic about all these tight races. Here are some recent polls:

ARKANSAS: Hutchinson 47% Pryor 44% Tarrance Group (R) 9/3-4 4.4%

COLORADO: Allard 38% Strickland 36% Stanley (L) 6% Garin-Hart-Yang (D) 9/6-8 4%

TEXAS: Cornyn 33% Kirk 38% Fairbanks Maslin Maullin & Assoc. (D) 9/3-5 3.6%, However, more recently, Cornyn 42% Kirk 36% Univ. of Houston Center for Public Policy 9/3-10 & 9/12-15 3.3%

SOUTH DAKOTA: Thune 44% Johnson 48% Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (D) 9/3-5 4%

NEW JERSEY: Forrester 40% Torricelli 41% Newark Star-Ledger 9/3-8 4%, however, more recently, Forrester 52% Torricelli 38% KYW-TX / Survey USA 9/19 3.8%

NEW HAMPSHIRE: Sununu 44% Shaheen 43% Concord Monitor 8/26-28 4%, however, more recently, Sununu 47% Shaheen 38% American Research Group 9/14-18 4%

I am hopeful that the Iraq factor is just showing up in the most recent polls as you believe it will.

[fightinJAG]

Exactly.

Oh, no, the President rightly chastising the Rats for trying to squirm out of taking a stand on national security before the elections---a question, by the way, the Rats themselves pushed up on the agenda by badgering the administration to "make its case"---is, according to e.j., divisive?

I'm surprised Nick's Crap Detector did not crash over this piece.

[Lion's Cub]

A large majority of Americans share the president's goal of disarming Saddam. Bush will nurture that majority far more effectively if he dispels partisan suspicions - and if he treats those who advocate a coalition approach to stopping Iraq as allies and not enemies.

Translation: Stop exposing the idiocy of democratic politicians to the electorate. Let the public think you respect these idiots and value their input :)

Here's a newsflash for Dionne: Those who oppose striking an enemy who has already attacked us are enemies, too. They do not deserve to be treated as allies.

[randita]

They can just pass the "blank check" and then move on to domestic issues. If we go to war and it end well, they can take credit for it.

There will be way less money in the till for their social hand-outs if money is diverted to the war effort.

Besides, Democrats never want to share credit with Republicans. If they can't take all the credit, then they'll oppose Republicans getting even half.

[oiljake]

why doesnt bush stop fooling around with these demorats go on t.v and name the demorats to the american people who are holding things up for their own personal gains or just personally inform them he is about to do this and you will see how fast they will jump on the band wagon

[vannrox]

.

Oh...I suppose that Nuclear detonation of a 20 Kg at Copley Square isn't good enough reason....or perhaps the release of Nerve Gas on the Red Line or North Station....Or, how about releasing Smallpox at Foxboro...!!!!


Nah... it's all political...

.

[mwl1]

Hutch, are you really that optimistic on Georgia? I'm not certain right now about SD, either. I do agree that we'll hold the open seats, but it is still a long way to November. Chafee will not bolt. RATS have nothing to offer him, particularly in the minority.

[Scott from the Left Coast]

urging the very sort of tough UN action

Let's see...tough U.N. action...tough U.N. action...oh, yeah, that's like the Sasquatch.

[BulletBrasDotNet]

I can't help it, but I have visions of mass cyber-suicides on DUhhh!

What is DU?

[TheRedSoxWinThePennant]

I can't help it, but I have visions of mass cyber-suicides on DUhhh!

you dont have a problem with that do you. hell I will buy the kool aid do you think they like cherry or grape

[hchutch]

This McKinney flap will have consequences. Bet on it. Ms. McKinney's supporters will not be so enthusiastic I think. We have a 50-50 shot at Georgia.

[mwl1]

Call me a skeptic on Georgia, sure hope you are correct. The negative drift in the economy is not helping at all.

We are very encouraged with the Zogby tracking results in Minnesota, which has Coleman over Wellstone by six. Frankly, I think that's too optimistic. I was with Norm Coleman this morning, he was upbeat.