Guliani, Kristol, & Ingram: Blame the troops, not Bush*!

[displacedtexan]

Media Matters has the quotes:

From the October 28 edition of NBC's Today:

GIULIANI: The president was cautious. The president was prudent. The president did what a commander in chief should do. And no matter how much you try to blame it on the president, the actual responsibility for it really would be for the troops that were there. Did they search carefully enough? Didn't they search carefully enough?

From the October 28 edition of FOX News Channel's FOX News Live:

KRISTOL: The Bush campaign was actually slow to respond, I think, but finally yesterday pointed out that Kerry was launching very serious charges against the president of the United States, based on a thinly sourced New York Times article, charges that really impugn the competence of the U.S. military. George Bush didn't decide, you know, "skip that dump" . That was 101st or the 3rd ID , "skip that arms dump." That's not a decision made by the president, that's made on the ground. Even if there were some weapons there, this is what happens in war. You know you have to make tough decisions, leave some stuff to take care of later.

From the October 27 edition of FOX News Channel's Hannity & Colmes:

STEVE MURPHY (FORMER MANAGER OF REP. DICK GEPHARDT'S (D-MO) PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN): Laura, Laura, John Kerry did not question the troops. John Kerry questioned the leadership of --

INGRAHAM: Oh, really? Who was looking for those weapons, Steve?

MURPHY: He questioned the leadership of George Bush. George Bush did not send enough soldiers.



INGRAHAM: Was George Bush on the ground there? The military commanders were on the ground there, Steve.

MURPHY: He didn't send enough soldiers to Iraq. He didn't secure the borders.

INGRAHAM: That's not how the soldiers see it, Steve.

MURPHY: He didn't secure the weapons.

INGRAHAM: Why don't you talk to the soldiers for a change?

http://mediamatters.org/items/200410280003

[bluestateguy]

1. As Krugman said this morning on Air America

These Republicans view the troops as the hired help. When things go bad just blame the help.

[riverwalker]

2. exactly

they are just anonymous faces to photoshop for ads, and pose with plastic turkeys. Hired help to be lied to, exploited, and then abandoned.

[Meryton]

3. thanks

remember that list circulating comparing the military experience of Democratic leaders vs the Republicans? That says it all. You do NOT blame the troops. They are torn down at basic and rebuilt to follow orders... (which is one reason why the prison scandal is such a scandal) anyway

(I love the terriwolves - may I copy it?)

btw, I hate the hijacking of the wolves, GO Wolfpack!!

[evilqueen]

4. What a bunch of bull...

Soldiers take their orders from higher-ups. If you're ordered out of the area, you go. Simple as that.

[Roland99]

5. GOP = Grumpy Old Partisans

Maybe I should completely disavow myself from the GOP now.

What has happened to the party with which I grew up?