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Bush says open to suggestions on Iraq
Reuters ^ | November 9 2006

Posted on 11/09/2006 9:01:04 AM PST by jmc1969

President George W. Bush, signaling a more conciliatory approach after suffering electoral losses this week, said on Thursday he was "open to any idea or suggestion" on the Iraq war.

The incoming Democratic-controlled Congress is expected to exert more pressure on Bush for a course correction in Iraq amid rising U.S. casualties and violence.

"I'm open to any idea or suggestion that will help us achieve our goals of defeating the terrorists and ensuring that Iraq's democratic government succeeds," Bush said in a Rose Garden appearance with members of his Cabinet.

(Excerpt) Read more at today.reuters.com ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; News/Current Events
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1 posted on 11/09/2006 9:01:05 AM PST by jmc1969
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To: jmc1969

Uh-oh.


2 posted on 11/09/2006 9:01:56 AM PST by RexBeach ("Important principles may, and must be, inflexible." Abraham Lincoln)
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To: jmc1969

As if he wasn't open to suggestions on November 6?


3 posted on 11/09/2006 9:02:37 AM PST by linear (Hawking radiation notwithstanding, its usually best to keep your elephant away from black holes.)
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To: jmc1969

He's just baiting the Democrats to make stupid suggetions. They have no plan and everyone knows it.


4 posted on 11/09/2006 9:03:37 AM PST by rhombus
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To: jmc1969

The upside of the situation, is that now there is no political value for the Democrats to oppose the war. Now they must deal with it.

In fact, we ARE WINNING the war, so the best thing the Democrats can do at this time is HELP us to continue winning the war.

It gives us an opportunity to shift tactics dramatically, and this might not be all bad.

Bush can play "Good cop" with the Iraqi government telling them that now the Dems have Congress, the Iraqi government is going to have to really stand up or the Dems (bad cop) will pull the rug out from under him/them.

I think we can make this work in a way that we come out ahead.

The other thing, pretty soon we are going to be up against Iran and Syria... the Dems cannot gain politically by screwing that up. I think they will realize that we must PULL TOGETHER and win the WOT.

Of course, I am always an optimist..so I might be deluding myself.


5 posted on 11/09/2006 9:05:54 AM PST by Paloma_55 (I may be a hateful bigot, but I still love you)
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To: jmc1969
He already went with one idea, got rid of Rumsfeld.
6 posted on 11/09/2006 9:06:18 AM PST by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: linear


Nancy Pelosi with her agenda in hand heading off to lunch with President Bush. We all remember what she did to King Neptune, right?
7 posted on 11/09/2006 9:06:55 AM PST by RedCell ("...thou shalt kill thine enemy before he killeth you by any means available" - Dick Marcinko)
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To: linear

The Democrat's success in conducting wars is poor to say the least. And Bush wants suggestions from them? If I'm a terrorist I'm seeing victory on the horizon.


8 posted on 11/09/2006 9:07:23 AM PST by Russ
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To: Russ

Not saying he has to take them. I just disagree that Bush's statement represents any sort of new tone. The only new tone is that found in the media, which sees a brighter world now that the Dems are in nominal control of Congress.


9 posted on 11/09/2006 9:08:51 AM PST by linear (Hawking radiation notwithstanding, its usually best to keep your elephant away from black holes.)
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To: jmc1969
Shoulda been done long ago.

"I'm open to suggestion."
"Bush lied."
"No, really. What do you want to do?"
"Bush lied."
"Do you have a plan?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"So what do you think of this Sadr fellow?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"How about the Iraqi partitioning plan?"
"Bush lied."
"So do you think we should raise the troop levels?"
"Bush's failed policies."
"Hey, thanks for the input. Have a nice day."

10 posted on 11/09/2006 9:08:53 AM PST by Billthedrill
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To: jmc1969
This is the pose he has to take. If he came out with a defiant "I'm doing the same thing as always and tough!" speech, the Americans who--whether FReepers like it or not--told the President of ALL of us (not just FReepers) they don't like what's happening. Yesterday he canned Rumsfeld (and picked an inferior replacement, IMHO). Today he said "OK, I hear ya, I'm listening."

I fear that his continued reliance on Bush 41's stable--Baker, et al--shows he's gotten the wrong message, the one that wrecked Bush 41's presidency. But he is trying to recover his footing in this new environment, and it seems to me he's trying to show he's not going to be a lame duck but will try new things.

I just hope he doesn't continue down this path permanently. The Bush family seems to think a presidency should become more "mainstream" as it goes, when what 43 SHOULD be doing is becoming more hardcore conservative. Because as I see it, 2008 is going to be The Return of Conservatism. Why do I think this? Because for all its flaws, the GOP held the majority for 12 years and now the libs will be racing to get as much done in two years as they can because the simple fact is Americans don't like liberals. (They DO like spenders...until they get their pet project funded, then they want "responsible government".)

Bush HAS to walk this road now. But it's just a shortcut, not a highway. He had better get on the Conservative Expressway by next spring, and if he does he will be well-positioned to say "I TRIED working it their way, but look what those crazy libs are doing!" The public wants him to work with them...until they learn how crazy they are in DC. Then, after following the people's demands, he can say "I did it your way, and look at what I found? Now YOU follow ME."

He CAN do this. I just hope he will. But so many politicians want to be liked that they won't take the risky moves needed for political courage to take root again.

11 posted on 11/09/2006 9:09:09 AM PST by Darkwolf377 (Republican, atheist, pro-lifer, stranded in Blue Boston)
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To: rhombus

Bingo!


12 posted on 11/09/2006 9:10:00 AM PST by Howlin
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To: jmc1969
He should phrase it more sharply. He should say that "It is clear the American public have an interest in the policies and plans of the Democrats. Very well then, I am open to hearing their plans for how we can best resolve the Iraq situation. Let them present their ideas and let's discuss the benefits and drawbacks openly."

Regards, Ivan

13 posted on 11/09/2006 9:11:43 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: jmc1969
So Bush is open to suggestions.

Weak weak weak..... LOL

14 posted on 11/09/2006 9:14:22 AM PST by Reagan Man (Conservatives don't support amnesty and conservatives don't vote for liberals!)
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To: rhombus
Oh they have a plan,its called get out now and they don't seem worried about the consequences.
15 posted on 11/09/2006 9:16:19 AM PST by linn37 (Love your Phlebotomist)
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To: Russ
The Democrat's success in conducting wars is poor to say the least.

The las War we won was by a Democrat, Harry Truman, who then proceeded to invent limited warfare called it a police action and we haven't won anything since.

16 posted on 11/09/2006 9:18:45 AM PST by itsahoot (If the GOP does not do something about immigration, immigration will do something about the GOP)
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To: MadIvan
He should say that "It is clear the American public have an interest in the policies and plans of the Democrats. Very well then, I am open to hearing their plans for how we can best resolve the Iraq situation. Let them present their ideas and let's discuss the benefits and drawbacks openly."

They'd say, "you broke it, you own it."

17 posted on 11/09/2006 9:20:26 AM PST by GraniteStateConservative (...He had committed no crime against America so I did not bring him here...-- Worst.President.Ever.)
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To: linn37

Good. It's about time someone asked what they have in mind. I am sure the public will like to here there answer.

It's a trap question.


18 posted on 11/09/2006 9:20:47 AM PST by prov1813man
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To: GraniteStateConservative
They'd say, "you broke it, you own it."

Bush can reply. "Oh? So you're forefeiting Iraq policy to me? Is that what you said you were going to do? I think not."

Regards, Ivan

19 posted on 11/09/2006 9:22:36 AM PST by MadIvan (I aim to misbehave.)
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To: prov1813man
It's a trap question.

I'm sure he is sincere, but you are right, it IS a trap question. He is going to "appease" the democrats to death. Kill them with kindness and cooperation..... for a while.

20 posted on 11/09/2006 9:24:24 AM PST by Paradox (American Conservatives: Keeping the world safe for Liberalism.)
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