Yep. It's ghastly because it's truly ironic, in a sense that the ones who say "We support the troops" are quite obviously the ones who don't. Notice how the right doesn't have to create a bizarre phrase like that--our support is obvious. They, on the other hand, are basically saying, "Who you gonna believe, me or your lyin' eyes?"
Both are biding time by deflecting criticism, in order to make further inroads.