Battles in Iraq Bring Troubles for Bush and Kerry as Well

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.nytimes.com/2004/04/08/politics/campaign/08POLI.html?hp=&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1081396890-el69muPl5kNl8a87PcixUQ

The surge of violence in Iraq has created vast political complications for Democrats and Republicans, as President Bush struggled on Wednesday to address doubts about his foreign policy and Senator John Kerry sought to challenge the conduct of a war he voted for two years ago.

<snip>

But in an unwelcome development for the White House, even some right-leaning commentators and political leaders appeared uncomfortable with Mr. Bush's Iraq policy. Bill O'Reilly, the Fox News commentator who had been one of the most vocal supporters of the war, warned that the situation in Iraq might cost Mr. Bush re-election if he did not deal with it promptly. Mr. O'Reilly compared the Iraqis to the South Vietnamese in their lack of support for the United States.

"If these people won't help us, we need to get out in an orderly matter," Mr. O'Reilly said on his show Monday evening, repeating the sentiment again on Tuesday.

Newt Gingrich, the Georgia Republican and former House speaker, also said he was concerned that Iraq could hurt the administration unless it made a forceful case to stay there. "The administration has to win the argument that this is an unavoidable fight," Mr. Gingrich said. "This is painful and this is difficult, but we have no choice."

[David Dunham]

1. Bush has lost 9 points in Rasmussen poll. Kerry has gained 9.

It is a much bigger problem for Bush than Kerry.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

2. Yes, considering how he is the president, and that he started the war.

"I'm President George Bush and I approved this invasion/occupation."

[kera]

6. i have now some sympathy for

O reilly he is not that dump or damp

[skooooo]

3. Alright!! Just hope it lasts.....

[maggrwaggr]

8. Yeah, but it pains me that "our" candidate voted for this fucking war

I have a REAL BIG problem with that

[Quetzal]

4. I could care less how Kerry voted

I want to know his exit strategy for getting out of Iraq.

[IndianaGreen]

7. He doesn't have one

His strategy is to pursue the UN and NATO route. It is too late for that now. The Iraqis will not accept any foreign troops on their soil. It is time to leave in the same way as the Soviets left Afghanistan, they packed up and left.

[jpgray]

11. Sorry, but Kucinich, Dean and I all disagree with you

Getting the UN in and ensuring that Iraq has the wherewithal to defend itself is important. Unless you're interested in another Congo, of course--Iraq has neighbors that wouldn't mind carving out some oil-rich portions of the country while it lies in chaos. We have no business being there, but the Iraqis have had their security stolen from them, and if we can replace it with the UN or have them put something up temporarily without incurring even more damage, we should.

edit: Not that this is the 'right' choice and yours is 'wrong'--this is my opinion on what should be done, but there are no guarantees it is 'better' than packing up right now and bugging out. That's what sucks about this. :(

[IndianaGreen]

13. Iraqis had a bad experience with the UN

It was the UN that caved to US pressure and kept the embargo in place, an embargo that resulted in the suffering and deaths of over a million children.

Let's stop thinking like TV-fed Americans and start looking at things from the Iraqi point of view. Like the Palestinians, Iraqis won't accept foreign troops on their soil.

The time for the UN and NATO expired a year ago!

[fishnfla]

5. OK ,political troubles, whoop-dee-doo

their ass aint under fire in Iraq. Once they start thinking of the troopers first, they will think clearly, IMO

[wtmusic]

9. 'If these people won't help us (take over their country),

we need to get out in an orderly matter (and leave them to defend themselves in a bloody civil war).

Oh, brother.

[AndyTiedye]

10. Bush* Has done the Impossible. He has United the Sunnis and the Shi'ites

...against us.

Do you suppose they will continue to work together after we leave?

[truthisfreedom]

12. when Kerry wins in November we'll see an immediate increase in cooperation

from all UN members concerning Iraq. they know bushco is a bunch of bullies, and they were sick of it a long time ago.