Republicans criticise Bush "mistakes" on Iraq

[rndmprsn]

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=586697§ion=news

hmmm...looks like some of the well...more sober headed repugs are getting nervous about shrubs "credibility gap" on iraq.

who'da thunk it?


WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Leading members of President George W. Bush's Republican party have criticised mistakes and "incompetence" in his Iraq policy and called for an urgent ground offensive to retake insurgent sanctuaries.

In appearances on news talk shows, Republican senators also urged Bush to be more open with the American public after the disclosure of a classified CIA report that gave a gloomy outlook for Iraq and raised the possibility of civil war.

"The fact is, we're in deep trouble in Iraq ... and I think we're going to have to look at some recalibration of policy," Republican Senator Chuck Hagel of Nebraska said on CBS's "Face the Nation" on Sunday.

"We made serious mistakes," said Senator John McCain, an Arizona Republican who has campaigned at Bush's side this year after patching up a bitter rivalry.

McCain, speaking on "Fox News Sunday," cited as mistakes the toleration of looting after the successful U.S.-led invasion of Iraq in 2003 and failures to secure Iraq's borders or prevent insurgents from establishing strongholds within the country.

He said a ground offensive was urgently needed to retake areas held by insurgents, but a leading Democrat accused the administration of stalling for fear of hurting Bush's reelection chances.

The criticisms came as Bush prepared this week to host Iraqi Prime Minister Iyad Allawi and focus strongly on Iraq after stepped up attacks from Democratic presidential nominee Senator John Kerry.

[cheshire]

1. how that saying go, the rats are leaving the sinking ship?

[A_Possum]

2. Doesn't it seem amazing to anyone that 3 Republicans

are openly saying Iraq is a disaster? That Bush is incompetent?

Lugar, Hagel and now McCain.

How are they getting through the media filter? Is it BECAUSE they're Republicans?

I'm astonished that DU is not abuzz with this.

[LittleClarkie]

3. Yep, it's because they are Republicans

That's why Republican dissention is so vital. The Kerry campaign office was quite interested in the flyer I gave them from an Ohio Republican, stating from a Republican's pov why Bush sucked. He did it in the form of a flyer, as if he were a businessman and Bush were his employee (which all in the government are). At the end, he concluded with: Bush, you're fired.

I don't see it as rats leaving a sinking ship. I'm just glad they have the cajones to pipe up BEFORE the election.

[RevCheesehead]

4. Can you post that flyer? I'd love to see it!

[LittleClarkie]

6. Here's one I just got

And, as you see, the author gives his permission for it to be used by Kerry supporters. This is just a summary. The actual document is 14 pages long. Here is the link

To download a PDF of this memo, go to www.AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com/memo.pdf

Strategies and Messages for a Kerry-Edwards Victory

AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com/memo 9-18-2004

1. Early stages of the campaign gave prominence to John Kerry’s Vietnam biography. The swiftboat attack ads, followed by stories and charges regarding George Bush’s Guard service, have sadly made Kerry’s war service more of a campaign liability than a strength. The solution? Pivot await from Vietnam and maintain a tight focus on the past four years and the next four years.

2. Bush-Cheney have been able to define the context for this election by emphasizing that “9/11changed everything.” If this context continues to dominate, Bush-Cheney win. To create a context that favors Kerry-Edwards, it is crucial to elevate in people’s minds the momentous nature of this election. People need to hear time and again that their vote represents an important responsibility and an opportunity to make history. As this message gets through, people will become more thoughtful and critical of the Bush administration’s past four years, more cautious about the next four years, and more receptive to an alternative to George Bush.

3. Emphasize the sharp contrast in character between George Bush and John Kerry. In terms of working style, Bush makes loud pronouncements that stretch the truth (think aircraft carrier), while Kerry is quietly effective and marks accomplishment with dignified humility. Bush is a son of privilege and part of a political dynasty, while Kerry is a lifelong fighter who has taken on some of America’s toughest foes regardless of the political consequences. Bush has led a divisive and venomous campaign aimed at suppressing the vote, while Kerry has maintained a positive message that offers practical solutions and real hope.

Strategies and Messages for a Kerry-Edwards Victory
by Tom Terez

AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com

This memo is posted on the Web at AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com/memo

To download a PDF of this memo, go to AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com/memo.pdf

To comment, go to AnotherRepublicanForKerry.com/comment
If you are involved in any way in helping John Kerry and John Edwards take back the White House on November 2, this memo is for you. It presents strategies, messages, and supporting information that you can put to work starting now -- whether you’re the campaign chief, a state strategist, a communications director, a precinct captain, a neighborhood canvasser, a “letter to the editor” writer, a determined person who wants to persuade an undecided voter, or someone who simply wants to get more informed. Please use this memo -- and share it with other active Kerry supporters.

[LittleClarkie]

7. Here's the other one

I was trying to get this thing into a format I could post, but no dice.

Go to www.republicansforkerry04.org/JustTheFacts5.pdf

It's really a nicely done flyer.

The author requests that this be distributed and used in the campaign whereever it will help.

See, there are some nice ones out there.

[Spinzonner]

5. I'm paranoid enough about Rove's plotting

that somehow this might be immunizing Bush against Democratic criticism somehow.

But I haven't figured out how yet ...

[LittleClarkie]

8. Kicking this one up

for the flyer links. 'scuse me.