Iraq out of the news = Bush poll #s rise?

[Junkdrawer]

When Iraq was “handed over” to the interim government, did our troubles in Iraq end? No, in fact July has been one of the bloodiest for US troops since Bush declared “Mission Accomplished”.

But, as far as the media is concerned, it’s all over but the shouting. I’d say you’d just about have to have a nuclear explosion in Iraq before the media would pay it one ounce of attention. Why? Because Bush’s plummet in the polls was directly tied to the constant stream of bad news from Iraq tied to the revelations that we were there in the first place due to his lies.

So the answer?

1.) End the occupation – at least on paper
2.) Keep Iraq out of the news as much as possible
3.) Prevent the troops from coming home and bringing the bad news with them

With our MTV attention span, I’d be surprised if Iraq remains much of a campaign issue this November. It’s good to control the news.

[MISSDem]

1. You are absolutely right. It is so

upsetting to have to dig through the newspaper to find the articles about what is going on in Iraq and Afghanistan also. When you find them the news is never good. But most people are not going to dig around to find this news. Why do they call the media liberal?

[Brotherjohn]

2. Well, you're right in general of course. But to keep the facts straight..

... I don't think this month has been the bloodiest since "Mission Accomplished". I think that dubious distinction goes to April 2004, I believe (http://icasualties.org/oif/). This month, however, HAS seen a marked INCREASE in American fatalities from last month. So the "handover", such as it was, has not helped in that department.

Your'e right though. That IS their strategy. End the occupation on paper, keep Iraq out of the news, and try to keep the troops from bringing bad news home. I guess that's why they extended many troops' stints to, say, after the election.

[Junkdrawer]

4. Thanks for the correction. I remember just hearing "bloodiest"...

it must have been "one of the bloodiest". I'll correct my main post.

[lancdem]

3. I'm not sure

Before that WaPo/ABC poll came out, every other recent poll showed the Iraq turnover didn't help Bush at all. It's also possible that the 9/11 Commission report aided Bush because it didn't really fault him (that was the spin, at least).

[Junkdrawer]

5. PS: By adopting a "I'll keep the troops in Iraq" stance, Kerry...

is helping to remove Iraq as an issue. I hope I'm wrong, but a policy that seemed smart in April may well backfire by November.

[Brotherjohn]

6. What Kerry can make an issue, and loudly, right now...

... is that Bush is making absolutely NO progress towards eventually bringing our troops home.

That doesn't conflict with Kerry saying he'd "keep the troops in" for now.

The idea is to work towards getting them home as quickly, and safely (for the troops and for Iraq) as possible. Bush is making no progress towards this.

The way to do it is to strengthen international ties and work towards some kind of TRUE international coalition. This is what Kerry has talked about. Bush is just spinning his wheels on this one.

Meanwhile, our troops are dying.

[Junkdrawer]

7. Kerry HAS to move towards "Bring the troops home"...

Otherwise, the troops are stuck in that hell hole with little attention from the press.

A piece-wise movement towards that position is better than no movement at all.

[Junkdrawer]

8. Kick

:kick: