Posted on 11/15/2005 5:30:28 PM PST by RWR8189
Pathetic.
One expected no better of the Senate Democrats, who want to get out of Iraq as soon as possible, or sooner than possible--most of them don't really care--and who want to embarrass president Bush. But couldn't the Senate Republicans have stood and fought against passing an irresponsible resolution suggesting that Americans want to get out of Iraq more than we want to win?
The Republican leadership may have figured they didn't have the votes to defeat the Democratic proposal without giving their members a weaker alternative to vote for. But better to lose such a vote by a small margin than to go on record voting for a resolution that sends a signal of irresolution and weakness at precisely the time when a message of strength is most needed. After all, in precisely a month, the Iraqis will vote for their first government under the new constitution, and one thing they must weigh in their calculations is whether they can count on U.S. staying power in the fight against the terrorists. With today's vote in the Senate, the Republican leadership, apparently working hand in glove with White House staff, showed itself today to be tactically myopic and politically timid.
One hopes Republicans in the House will show more spine. One trusts that President Bush will not bend in any way to these winds of worry. One hopes that a year from now this vote is simply remembered as a minor hiccup on the way to success and victory in Iraq. But one doesn't win a war by showing weakness. And one doesn't win a political fight by half capitulating to one's opponents, and, in effect, accepting the premises of their critique.
All honor to the 13 Republican senators who stood up against the me-too, we-want-to-get-out-as-well-but-not-quite-as-quickly, Republican leadership: Bunning, Burr, Chambliss, Coburn, DeMint, Graham, Inhofe, Isakson, Kyl, McCain, Sessions, Thune, and Vitter. Let's hope their colleagues reconsider and join their ranks in the near future.
--William Kristol
I just came back to ask another question and then I have to leave for a while but will check in again in the a.m., probably.
What makes the Senate think that any counter-proposal will satisfy SCOTUS? SCOTUS has already ruled on this matter. Color me confused.
Polls in the toilet are a pretty good barometer.
Come the heck home from Asia, Mr. President, and use your bully pulpit to salvage your reputation, the mission of our brave military...and the future of your political party.
I really don't want this President to be left clinging to the ankles of Jimmy Carter for his legacy.
Do me a favor.
Run a check on Allen and the Prez in the last week.
Tell me the headlines that grab you.
The ones on Bush focus on fighting back.
Allen's MIA.
The President is fighting back, even the Dems acknowledge it by their howls and need to hold a special meeting to figure out how to address it.
http://dontgointothelight.com/2005/11/moonbat_meeting_tonight_1.php
I realize you are a strong supporter of Allen, that's fine, but I'm a strong supporter of the President and I give him praise and negative reaction when deserved. Miers, he deserved it. On this he is fighting back and I've nothing but praise for him. Allen deserves no less willingness to praise and condemn as due.
Allen has failed three times already on the WOT.
Cindy Sheehan deserving meeting.
mcCain amendment.
Warner resolution.
Time he paid a price for that and got his head straightened out.
Rush home because RINOS pulled a quick dirty trick. No. Absolutely not.
I saw that and felt you were dead on except for the term "loons" --these are crafty SOBs and lack the intestinal fortitude to do it when the President is in the country.
In cronological order, more or less ...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513207/posts?page=472#472
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513207/posts?page=479#479
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513207/posts?page=533#533 <- S.AMND.2524
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522120/posts?page=45#45
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522200/posts?page=21#21 (& later posts too)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1513207/posts?page=704#704
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1522200/posts?page=32#32 <- Cite to caselaw
HA!
Good point...
I promise you the "average" American has not heard his "fighting words".
We on FR may reprint his three fighting paragraphs over and over again....but, they've not made a dent in the MSM's lies. Truely, they have not changed one heart or mind.
Why should Republicans risk reelection to support GWB's actions...when GWB himself will not do so before the nation?
The President either takes this seriously and makes a prime time address....or the MSM will defeat him, the war, our military and our political party.
I'm praying GWB wakes up and takes this battle seriously.
Okay, how about this: come home and address your citizens because your reputation and that of our military and the war you convinced us is necessary is at risk.
Do you not understand the President is being set up for impeachment?---And, if the House gains seats in '06, this WILL happen????
When we have Republican senators doing this to their party leader , the President, and our war efforts, there are many of us saying why bother.
Other than specific cases enumerated in the Constitution, Congress has the power to give and take jurisdiction from courts. Of course, that legislation is itself subject to challenge on constitutional grounds. Most of the division of jurisdiction in the federal court system is defined in statutes. Title 28 - JUDICIARY AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE
The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. ...In all Cases affecting Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State shall be Party, the supreme Court shall have original Jurisdiction. In all the other Cases before mentioned, the supreme Court shall have appellate Jurisdiction, both as to Law and Fact, with such Exceptions, and under such Regulations as the Congress shall make.
U.S. Const. Art. III, sec. 3, cl. 2
The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it.
Republicans should support OUR TROOPS AND THIS NATION'S SECURITY.
What about that do you not understand?
This is bigger than Bush, and Allen is committing himself to irresponsible votes. Try to spin this as a damn failure of the President's to deflect from it, but there it is. Allen has defended Cindy's right to an audience even though she is clearly linked to extremist organizations. He has buckled to McCain to support terrorists not being roughed up to prevent a terrorist attack. Now he's supported the sentiment that President is being rebuked (though the grandstanders simply required what the administration does and try to pass it off as because of them) because he's afraid of polls and wants to be see as taking action in an environment with an "unpopular war".
And you are, again, dead wrong. The average American has heard the President's words. I taped the nightly news. They are playing them. It's getting traction out there.
I resent your implication he isn't taking this seriously to deflect blame for Allen's own recent actions. he's a big boy. The President can take it when he's wrong, and did over Miers and recently on the war UNTIL he started fighting back. So well should Allen be able to take condemnation for his recent actions until/if he corrects them.
I'm guessing that many, myself included, are wondering where the party leader has gone.
If people are expected to circle the wagons....don't they have a right to know what they're drawing a circle around?
It's up to the President to define this. If the Dimms are lying (and they are) all the President needs to do is say it, clearly, with examples.
Wouldn't that be an extraordinary rallying point?
Sorry, friend. The President's words have not stopped the bleeding caused by the MSM's mantra.
We're on the same side. I believe the President's words...and only his words...will end this. But, his words and his case must be heard by each American directly from him.
This is the time to use the bully pulpit I gave him.
I stand by my call for a prime time address.
His presidency, his legacy, and our party's future depend on it.
I think they are some of the adults. Capitol Hill apparently needs a day care center for itself.
Are you trying to spin it away from your raggety-ass senators -- because conservatives will remember George Allen's sellout.
Dr. Tom is an Okie from Muskogee. He calls 'em like he sees 'em.
And that sometimes puts him at odds with the leadership.
But he is essentially fearless. He plans to serve a term or two and then go back to doctoring.
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