CNN - Bush hit for linking Iraq to vote

[paineinthearse]

http://www.cnn.com/2005/ALLPOLITICS/01/16/bush.iraq/index.html

Bush hit for linking Iraq to vote

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President George W. Bush has been criticized for claiming that his re-election in 2004 was a ratification of his policy on Iraq. In an interview with the Washington Post on Sunday, Bush was asked why no one in his administration had been held accountable for perceived missteps on Iraq policy, including being wrong about weapons of mass destruction. "We had an accountability moment, and that's called the 2004 election," he was reported as saying. "The American people listened to different assessments made about what was taking place in Iraq, and they looked at the two candidates and chose me, for which I'm grateful."

Some Democrats have flatly dismissed that claim. "The policy is ridiculous," Democratic Senator Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts said.
One of Kennedy's concerns was Bush's decision to launch an invasion of Iraq while Osama bin Laden, the terrorist leader behind the September 11, 2001, attacks on the United States, remained free.
"It (was) a mistake when we went into this, into Iraq, instead of following Osama bin Laden. They didn't have the number of troops that were necessary. They disbanded the Iraqi army."

Asked in the Post interview why he thought bin Laden had not been found, Bush replied, "Because he's hiding. "I am pleased about the hunt, and I am pleased that he's isolated," Bush said. "I will be more pleased when he's brought to justice, and I think he will be."

Kennedy told CBS' "Face the Nation" that Iraq is "a disaster" and the "result of blunder after blunder after blunder." "Until Iraqis are going to fight for their own country, we are going to have a very, very dangerous situation." Other critics of the president's policies have repeated Kennedy's concerns. "I think the American people obviously re-elected him. That doesn't mean they agree with all of his policies relative to Iraq or all of the ways in which the Iraq war has been fought," Senator Carl Levin said.

<more at link>

CNN Correspondent Elaine Quijano contributed to this report

[underpants]

1. "Because he's hiding.

Yep hard to do anything about that huh George?

[RevCheesehead]

3. I heard the shrub was never good at "duck-duck-goose," either.

He must have been "games-challenged" as a child.

[Supersedeas]

12. Because he's hiding....ought to be the headline of every major paper and

network.

But, such 'intellectual hard werk' goes unnoticed.

[Robbien]

22. It is the headline of almost every blog. And the so called liberal media

wonders why people are turning away from their "news".

CNN, go back to covering Michael Jackson and kittens up a tree your days as a news broadcaster are over.

[Tess49]

26. Maybe he's just misplaced. Kind of like the car keys or something.

[physioex]

2. Who cares what CNN says....

Those lying whore, I am never watching them again.

[UL_Approved]

16. It's the fact that CNN is Bush bashing now.

This is unprecedented. Bush is getting bashed by the more right-leaning news networks now. This is a sign that the weed has gone too far. Maybe someday, young, aspiring journalists will have their fill and abandon the constraints of Rupert Murdock, Clear Channel, Primedia, Sinclair Broadcasting, etc. and actually report meaningful findings.

[GOPFighter]

20. Yup, CNN is beginning to bash Bush

...and one reason why is because the left is finally making noise and challenging them through blogs and emails. We're beginning to see the fruits of our anger! Look for more bush bashing in the future.

[verdalaven]

23. That is happening already

on blogs, the future of news.

[physioex]

24. Ohhh...I wasn't aware

I haven't watched CNN since the election.

[whistle]

4. Bush is full of shit, the election was a fraud and for him to come..

...out with such a ludicrous claim is an insult to all free people in America and around the world.

[fob]

9. "America" was a dramatization and no longer exists

[Seemann For Congress]

5. But then.....

So if that's the case, then why did they continue to go after Clinton with investigations and impeachment hearings?

By that logic, the American people stood up and said that Clinton was forgiven by the voters.

Countdown to freeper heads imploding on that one........5, 4, 3, 2, 1.....

[Norquist Nemesis]

6. Hey! I thought the mandate was all about values!

I sure wish Bush would pick something and stick to it instead of throwing a whole bunch of things on the wall and seeing what sticks. :grr:

[Massachusetts]

11. Its hard to hit a moving target,

also, keep the people confused. It worked this last election, 45% of Americans who are morons proved it.

[fob]

7. A slight correction is in order Mr Kennedy.

"Until Iraqis are going to fight for their own country, we are going to have a very, very dangerous situation."

Iraqis ARE fighting for their own country, bush* has labled them for extermination creating a very, very dangerous situation.


Full Disclaimer: I'm sure there are some real bad guys there targetting our side, but because bush* PLANNED on Iraq becoming "fly-paper", he is unable to distinguish those that fight bush*s occupation from those that fight for other reasons, dooming ALL who are there.

[uppityperson]

15. Exactly.

Many Iraqis hated Saddam, more now hate the USA. It is hard to tell who are the bad bad guys and who are "just" fighting for their freedom.

[Merlin]

21. Well said. An important point to remember.

I don't know how many people who haven't actually been in Iraq or Vietnam during that war can grasp the power of what you say.

[Robbien]

8. CNN is such a wimp, instead of saying Bush's reasons are flawed

they have to say "some Democrats" have differing opinions.

CNN does not question, it does not think.

It is a transcription service. Tell CNN what to write and CNN writes it.

[sakabatou]

10. I thought they called off the hunt...

[JaneQPublic]

13. Rats, when I read "Bush hit," I thought someone actually hit him. (nt)

[no_to_war_economy]

14. hubris alert (siren sound)

he is just making the ledge smaller and smaller until this administration jumps

[xxqqqzme]

17. he's in hiding!!!!! he's in hiding??????

WTF? Osama looked pretty good in that pre-election video - rested, groomed, in yellow silken robes - if that's hiding - wonder what it costs, these days, 2 successfully 'hide-out'?

Saddam obviously didn't take enough pocket change w/ him to 'hide-out'.

[Dawgs]

18. Best point I've heard or read on this...

"That doesn't mean they agree with all of his policies relative to Iraq or all of the ways in which the Iraq war has been fought," Senator Carl Levin said.

Bush should be thrown out of office for this stupid comment alone. Just because someone votes for you does not mean that they agree with everything you've done... and it certainly doesn't wipe away any mistakes you've made prior to the election.

It's because of America's ignorance that Bush was elected again. Not because they are informed.

[fooj]

19. Sounds like shrub is having a hard time keeping up with his lies!

He was obviously re-elected...what? Give me a break!

[Brooklyn Michael]

25. Logic 101

Another case of Bush opening his mouth without his brain being engaged* (*also see "Bring 'em on" and "Dead or Alive")....Laura should really try to be there more when he does these interviews...

Aside from the fact that we already KNOW Bush was a C student, basic logic and syllogisms are obviously not his strong points....

Major premise: "I support my Iraq policy"

Minor premise: "51% of the people re-elected me"

Conclusion: "All people support my Iraq policy"

That's like saying because 51% of people like dogs, ALL people hate cats.....@#$%^&*! dumbass....