McClatchy: Democrats frustrated by Bush's reaction to Iraq report (Bush thinks he's Truman)

[Pirate Smile]

Democrats frustrated by Bush's reaction to Iraq report

By William Douglas and Margaret Talev
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -

-snip-
"I just didn't feel there today, the president in his words or his demeanor, that he is going to do anything right away to change things drastically," Senate Majority Leader-elect Harry Reid, D-Nev., said following the Oval Office meeting. "He is tepid in what he talks about doing. Someone has to get the message to this man that there have to be significant changes."

Instead, Bush began his talk by comparing himself to President Harry S Truman, who launched the Truman Doctrine to fight communism, got bogged down in the Korean War and left office unpopular.

Bush said that "in years to come they realized he was right and then his doctrine became the standard for America," recalled Senate Majority Whip-elect Richard Durbin, D-Ill. "He's trying to position himself in history and to justify those who continue to stand by him, saying sometimes if you're right you're unpopular, and be prepared for criticism."

Durbin said he challenged Bush's analogy, reminding him that Truman had the NATO alliance behind him and negotiated with his enemies at the United Nations. Durbin said that's what the Iraq Study Group is recommending that Bush do now - work more with allies and negotiate with adversaries on Iraq.
Bush, Durbin said, "reacted very strongly. He got very animated in his response" and emphasized that he is "the commander in chief."

http://www.realcities.com/mld/krwashington/16198013.htm

Oh, Lord ....

[IndianaGreen]

1. I prefer the Titanic analogy

except that after hitting the iceberg, Bush would have turned the ship around and hit the iceberg again at full speed.

Democrats should start considering the possibility that Bush is mentally ill and that he should be removed from office before he gets us all killed.

[tabasco]

15. It's the people behind the curtains who make the decisions.

There is indecisiveness in the robber baron ranks.

The robber barons do not want to give up the goose that lays golden eggs (Iraq), but they want to maintain political power.

They have not decided how to proceed and have not told Bush what to say, so he is swinging in the breeze.

It looks like they are going to go with the "the liberals lost Vietnam and now they are going to lose Iraq" strategy, which, IMO, is good news. It just shows how utterly out of touch with Americans they are. It's clear that this will be McCain's strategy, which proves beyond doubt that he is a gutless tool.

But never accuse Bush of making decisions. That's not why he was installed.

[lyonn]

19. Wish you were right but, bush is "proving" he is the Decider.

We all hoped that he was only obeying others, not anymore. How many neo-cons have been speaking out against him lately? Bush's strageries is killing even the golden goose.

Edit: Liberals didn't lose VN exactly, the U.S. voted for Nixon who told us he would get us out with honor. Right, Nixon escalated the war and as best I remember more of our troops were killed after he took over.

[tabasco]

25. I never said liberals lost Vietnam.

I said that is what the lying, cowardly, POS republicans will say.

Bush hasn't made any decisions. The oil company neocons (represented by Cheney) want to stay in Iraq and are applying pressure for Bush to "stay the course." Other neocons are worried that the republicans could lose power completely because of the Iraq quagmire. There is a state of indecision, not decisiveness.

[lyonn]

28. My mistake, you were clear about VN

I was just ranting.

It is a weird situation when the President of our country has everyone wondering what the hell he will do next.

[VegasWolf]

2. No, Bush thinks he is God. Since Bush says that God ordered him to

attack Iraq, and since God cannot be wrong, then all will come out okey-dokey in the end. Bush thinks that God is just testing Bush's faith. Psychiatrists have a word for this kind of mental illness.

[truthisfreedom]

3. Bush left his corporations unpopular too. And he left the Nat'l Guard unpopular.

And he left being governor of Texas unpopular as well. He's managed to leave each of the elections unpopular, didn't get the popular vote when he was erected in the first place... he's just an all-around unpopular guy.

[VegasWolf]

4. Hey, at least he is consistent! nt

[goforit]

5. Hmmm... I wonder what Hillary/Lieberman/Biden would say.

"Rah Rah Rah....George, hit em hard!"

[pacalo]

6. "Someone has to get the message to this man that there have to be significant changes."

That's your cue, Rep. Conyers.

[leQ]

7. i recommend reading the whole story. thanks! (eom)

[Dumak]

8. Bush is unstable

It does seem like Durbin is trying to discreetly tell us that Bush is emotionally unstable. He acts like a nut even in small, private meetings where stage nervousness is not an issue. That should have us worried.

[area51]

29. Welcome to DU, Dumak. (n/t)

[newyawker99]

30. Hi Dumak!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[independentpiney]

9. The only way anything is doing to change is to defund

everything except troop protection and support. And they can start with that fantasy Emerald City capitol of the Middle East they call an embassy.

[rodeodance]

10. I have the same sense---Bush not ready to anything drastic to change

his 'plan' in Iraq. just a gut feeling I get in listening to him this week

[rodeodance]

11. bushco is selective in his use of history! :

......Durbin said he challenged Bush's analogy, reminding him that Truman had the NATO alliance behind him and negotiated with his enemies at the United Nations. Durbin said that's what the Iraq Study Group is recommending that Bush do now - work more with allies and negotiate with adversaries on Iraq.
Bush, Durbin said, "reacted very strongly. He got very animated in his response" and emphasized that he is "the commander in chief."

[Ignacio Upton]

12. Korea was very different from Iraq

1. It was CONVENTIONAL war.

2. North Korea started it by invading South Korea.

3. It was winnable until the Chinese started pouring across the border and MacArthur went insane, thus giving us a tie.

[MGKrebs]

13. He keeps suggesting that those who oppose him

don't want peace, or stability, or have the welfare of the people in mind. He is shown a difference in how to get there, and takes it as a challenge to the goal itself. He apparently still believes that his way is the only way to achieve the stated goal.

Other possible explanation:
- The stated goal isn't the real goal

[DaveT]

14. You think?

The stated goal -- hmmmmm, what would that stated goal be? "Freedom for Iraq?" "A Peaceful, Stable, Free Iraq?" "A Defeat for the Terrorists?"

Is there anywhere on record a more specific account of what the damn goal is?


I liked the way you set that up, mgkrebs. Nice.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. Bush is mentally ill, I'm convinced of that.

Everything he does lately points to a person who is unable to function normally.

[Barrett808]

23. I hope the Secret Service has a protocol for a drunk, crazy president who wants to push the button

Really.

[Vidar]

26. Amen to that.

[Vinca]

17. The bottom line is all the Democrats in the world can't change

the pig headed and insane. Unless the guy is impeached and ousted, it's his way or the highway. IMHO, impeachment is not an option. It's a requirement.

[lyonn]

18. Bush will be carried out in a straight jacket before it's over. eom

[CanonRay]

20. The man is mentally unstable, and we are all in deep shit.

[chieftain]

21. Neck deep in the Big Muddy and the Big Fool said push on.

[AndyTiedye]

22. Can't Wait For '09

[w4rma]

24. Bush the nutcase whackjob. (nt)

[arewenotdemo]

27. Petulant Cheerleader-in-Chief