Bush says Kerry is "pessimistic" about Iraqis' ability to self-govern

[BurtWorm]

http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/national/AP-Bush.html


KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (AP) -- President Bush on Wednesday accused Sen. John Kerry of sending ``mixed signals'' on the Iraq war that threaten U.S. troops' morale and undermine Iraqis' determination to face down insurgents.

``You cannot lead the war against terror if you wilt or waver when times get tough,'' Bush said at a re-election rally.

``My opponent is sending mixed signals,'' Bush said. ``You cannot expect the Iraqi people to stand up and do the hard work of democracy if you're pessimistic about their ability to govern themselves. You cannot expect our troops to continue to do the hard work if they hear mixed messages from Washington, D.C.''

Mocking what he called Kerry's ``many different positions on Iraq,'' Bush said: ``I'll continue to speak clearly. I'll continue to lead, and I'm confident we will achieve our objectives.''

[donco6]

1. There's "pessimistic" and there's "realistic."

I prefer the latter.

What evidence do we have to be optimistic about Iraq's chances of success? Absofrickinlutely none.

[sui generis]

3. how funny - I think we were typing that at the exact same moment /nt

[donco6]

10. Great minds think alike eom

[BurtWorm]

4. I've never heard Kerry say word one on the Iraqis' ability to self-govern.

Bush is the only one who seems to be fixated on the "question." He made the same strawman charge last spring at a news conference when he accused opponents of his imagination of believing people unlike "us" couldn't self-govern.

[mr_hat]

14. Then there's Iraq, and then there's the war on terror.

[sui generis]

2. hey dumbya

it's not pessimistic, it's realistic. You have to address reality if you want to make it realistic for them to "self-govern".

If you have to spin a bunch of bullshit to keep up morale, and that's what you're worried about, then you're lying, and you're ticked off that Kerry isn't lying too.

I hope it does crush morale - and that the soldiers who are having to face reality of being there for years and coming home to reduced benefits under your regime will actually vote against you.

[mmonk]

5. No, pessimistic a puppet government might not survive

That's different. Nobody knows what will come out of Iraq, friend or antagonist.

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. bush, if you are so smart, then why is everything so screwed up?

or is it somebody else's fault?

[Parche]

7. GW BUSH

I am so F%$$#&$%^$&^$&(^%*(& tired of hearing about Iraq

WHAT ABOUT THE UNITED STATES, GEORGE?

Why do we have people still hungry here?
millions unemployed
millions homeless
record deficits
fire stations closing over here, but opening in baghdad


SHUT THE CHENEY UP ABOUT IRAQ, I WANT TO HEAR ABOUT
AMERICA FOR ONCE

[GiovanniC]

8. He's Not Pessimistic About the Iraqis' Abilities

He's pessimistic about yours. And so am I.

[cheezus]

9. nothing is more pessimestic than saying we can't do better

Kerry CAN do better.

[JohnKleeb]

12. you stole that from Kerry man

Thief :D

[cheezus]

16. yep, i just parrot back the talking points

hey, it works!

[JohnKleeb]

17. and true too

[JohnKleeb]

11. well we know he's full of shit

``I'll continue to speak clearly. I'll continue to lead, and I'm confident we will achieve our objectives.''

"I'll continue to speak clearly", Mr. President, have you ever? you make up nicknames for everyone, you are without a doubt one of the if not the worst speaker I've ever seen.

[Generator]

13. As I've said to my husband many times I could do a better job

with Iraq than Numbnuts has.

"You cannot expect the Iraqi people to stand up and do the hard work of democracy if you're pessimistic about their ability to govern themselves."

No, you cannot expect the Iraqi people to do anything when they don't have the security needed to walk down the street without getting blown up by the "insurgents" or by the US day by day.

Without security, you have nothing. The schools are open? GREAT. But who is going to send their child to school when the roads are not safe?

They needed more troops to secure the country about oh April of 2003.

Now it's too late.

[Julien Sorel]

15. For the "fighting back" crowd:

Notice Bush doesn't defend himself -- he doesn't "fight back" -- he tries to turn this into an attack on Kerry.

The issue of Iraq, for the purposes of this election, will be decided by a combination of the evidence, which supports Kerry, and who does a better job of framing the issue for public consumption. I ain't a fan of the Democratic track record on the issue of framing, but at the same time, Bush's "pessimism" line sounds tired and is obviously ducking the issue. With several weeks and three debates to go, he's going to have to come up with something more substantial than a sound bite, or the media should start eating him alive.

[MsTryska]

18. What's Ironic is that it seems that

iraquis really are doing the hard work of democracy. ie - trying to get the occupiers the hell out.


I wonder if Great Britain thought of the American Revolutionaries as a handful of insurgents?