Bush tempers argument for pre-emptive strikes

[kskiska]

Experts say Iraq war precludes similar future engagements

George Bush has insisted repeatedly on the campaign trail that his presidency has been characterized by unwavering policies based on core convictions. But a key component of his security and military strategy -- a willingness to wage war "pre-emptively" against perceived enemies -- lies largely in tatters, say experts and policy-makers.

These experts, from both sides of the political spectrum, say the brutal experience in Iraq has eroded many elements of what has come to be called the "Bush doctrine," leaving the United States with less flexibility in the war on terror.

President Bush himself appeared to dial back on the doctrine during Thursday night's debate when asked whether he would launch future pre-emptive strikes in the wake of the Iraq war. Bush replied, somewhat unenthusiastically, that "a president must always be willing to use troops," but only "as a last resort."

That is a far cry from the bold policy the president articulated in 2002, which rejected the traditional focus on containing threats or responding only after an enemy had staged a clear act of aggression.

more…
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/02/MNGKC92M9R1.DTL

[BootinUp]

1. Once again, he moves towards the dem position

Very shrewd.

[Career Prole]

4. At which point they'll put Crashcart on the road to claim

the position was shrub's all along.
Just like he's doing now.
That's why they kept pressing Kerry for "details" of his plan, so that they could swipe it.
Their problem is that Kerry's plan won't work for shrub...they're apparently unaware that no one but Blair and Berlusconi trust our phony preznit anymore and diplomacy absent trust is a complete non-starter. No sense in the present administration even pulling that club out of the bag.

[w4rma]

14. He always does that right before elections. Every single one he's been in

he's spoken like a Democrat for a month or two before the election.

[punpirate]

2. Unless he wins...

... another term. One need only go back to the National Security Strategy paper of 2002 to know how he really feels about preventive war. That was and remains Bush policy. He signed it.

How many people voted for this walking turd because of the lies he told in the 2000 election, and now, we're expected to think his position has softened after the experience of Iraq?

Bush and his people have damned near perfected the Big Lie. "Fool me once," etc.

[UpInArms]

3. flopping on the rocks like a

dying trout.

Soon this will be all that you see.

[clydefrand]

9. That stinks!!

[ilovenicepeople]

12. I hate to correct you, but.........

that looks like a Chinook salmon to me.Don;t mean to shout,but that ain't no trout!:hi:

[AlCzervik]

5. Too bad he didnt take this postion 2 years ago

maybe we wouldn't be in this gigantic clusterfuck right now.

[BeyondGeography]

6. It's because he failed the Global Test in Iraq

or maybe we chould just call it the Global Smell Test, for clarity's sake.

[Lugnut]

7. So then.....

Would he be flip-flopping? /sarcasm

[KittyWampus]

8. Yes, But Let's Discuss The "Ear Piece" Issue Some More

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

10. Why are we hearing about the so-called "Kerry Doctrine?"

Because the "Bush Doctrine" is an abject failure. Their projection is obvious and infantile.

[fearnobush]

16. Bush wants it both ways, he's the flop of position changing.

He criticizes Kerry for Global Test, yet Takes Kerry's own position on it... WTF. He's the fucking flip flopper, worst yet, he's a dam murdering liar.


<>

Dam... CIA slipped me a Micky again.

[Infomaniac]

11. Bush "tempers." Kerry "flip-flops."

This little See-I-got-bigger-balls-than-my-Daddy excursion has cost thousands of innocent people their lives. This man should never have been selected president. He's got enough unresolved family of origin issues to keep an army of therapists busy.

This is my favorite part of the article:

These experts, from both sides of the political spectrum, say the brutal experience in Iraq has eroded many elements of what has come to be called the "Bush doctrine," leaving the United States with less flexibility in the war on terror.

Less flexibility is right. Bush has no credibility in the international community. He couldn't get elected dog catcher outside of the United States.

[sofa king]

13. I'd say the fact that we have no troops left invalidated the idea first.

[oasis]

15. It's Bush's roundabout way of avoiding questions about the draft. No wars

no draft

As long as there's a PNAC, there will be a draft.
www.newamericancentury.org. Their plans require troops for occupation. And they won't be getting them from Europe.