Powell is Bush's secret weapon

New York Daily News ^ | 2/05/03 | Michael Kramer

[kattracks]

Strategery!

[EternalVigilance]

Ah, the power of a resolute President!

Especially one who was right from the start.

[Rain-maker]

Funny how all these peacenik socialists don't have a shred proof that Saddamn doesn't have WMD's.

Funny how these lefty pasifists say Saddman has no WMD's, but are afraid out troops will get attacked with nerve gas and biological agents.

[Roy Tucker]

Yes, it is amazing how our moronic President keeps making these really smart Europeans look really lame and stupid.

[EternalVigilance]

LOL..I know!

Occasionally I'll duck into a chat room where there are several lefties posting their screed. They always lead their rants with how dumb President Bush is, of course. It is great fun to ask them how come someone so dumb is beating them at every turn---and if he is so dumb, what does that make you and your friends? ;-)

[EternalVigilance]

They never ever answer, by the way! ;-)

[hoosier_scientist]

Anyone know what time Powell's briefing is?

[EternalVigilance]

I don't.

[Roy Tucker]

10:30AM EST

[fightinJAG]

Why do they keep bleating the outright lie that there exists "a high degree of skepticism about a new war"? Even Rat polls show a majority of Americans understand the need to take out Saddam Hussein.

[Greybird]

It is way past time for some real intelligence meat to be spread in front of the world -- and apparently Powell has to brutally fight his own colleagues to get it declassified.

If the Secretary of State is not authorized automatically to do this, and to use his judgment about presenting public evidence, something is wrong. I'd take that as a vote of no confidence, if I were Powell, that his boss doesn't come forward to part the secrecy waters.

And if Powell didn't want to come back post-bellum for a second Bush term, I wouldn't blame him. This is shabby treatment. The president has the power to stop it, and he hasn't chosen to do so.

[happygrl]

Yes, it is amazing how our moronic President keeps making these really smart Europeans look really lame and stupid.

It's a Cowboy thang.

They wouldn't understand.

[Samwise]

First, I'm getting a little tired of the "no smoking gun" phrase. We had twin smoking towers for goodness sakes. We were attacked. Bush vowed to get those murderers and those who support them. The people who scream about "no smoking fun" are the same ones who blamed Bush for allowing 9/11 to happen. Arggggggh!

Second, I can't imagine Colin Powell being "used" by anyone. Bush is smart and he surrounds himself with people of excellence. Powell is one of them.

Now a question...A few days a friend went off on a rant about Bush's war talk destroying her 401K. I chose not to engage her--we really are old friends, but I would have more luck discussing politics and economics with the teakettle. Anyway, when I suggested she listen to Powell's speech, she said that Powell was so disgusted with the way Bush was treating him that he had already announced that he would not sign on for a second Bush term. Is there any truth to this? Has Powell announced that this is his only term?

[Miss Marple]

No, that is not true. There was some speculation in the liberal press about this when they had cast Powell as the sensible dove, but that was simply wishful thinking by the anti-Bush folks.

[Samwise]

Well...as hubby said, "She gets all of her news from NPR." Thanks, Miss Marple.

[GailA]

As any one who shoots guns know, you don't see smoke from a gun until AFTER it's been fired. Tribute to Dubya

[hobbes1]

But now, Powell's views are virtually indistinguishable from Rumsfeld's (or Bush's). Hence the question: Were the past months of internal discord, so feverishly covered by the media, real or confected? Was the Rumsfeld-Powell split a contrived good-cop, bad-cop routine designed from the start to build the credibility Powell now enjoys?

I love this. The media still doesn't catch on to the No-Duh school of Politics.

[xsmommy]

do not break your arm whilst attempting to pat yourself on your back for your own observation....; )

[Miss Marple]

You might point her to the Washington Post editorial this morning, which supports President Bush (although they say it is a continuation of Clinton's policies...HA!).

At any rate, I think Powell has some serious information to impart today, and people like your friend should pay attention.

[Poohbah]

It is way past time for some real intelligence meat to be spread in front of the world -- and apparently Powell has to brutally fight his own colleagues to get it declassified.

Intelligence folks are ALWAYS leery of declassifying data, because it gives away sources and methods. That can result in (a) degraded technical intelligence as the bad guys realize that they are being watched and act accordingly, or (b) dead agents.

If the Secretary of State is not authorized automatically to do this, and to use his judgment about presenting public evidence, something is wrong.

Statutory requirement here--Powell would have to run the agency that has the intel.