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Democrats Slam Bush War Policy (The insane enemy within sat on their hands for victory tonight))
AP on Yahoo ^ | 1/23/07 | Laurie Kellman - ap

Posted on 01/23/2007 7:54:14 PM PST by NormsRevenge

WASHINGTON - Democrats blistered President Bush's war policy Tuesday night, challenging him to redeem the nation's credibility — and his own — with an immediate shift toward a diplomatic end to the bloody conflict in Iraq.

"The president took us into this war recklessly," the Democrats' chosen messenger, Sen. Jim Webb of Virginia, said in response to Bush's State of the Union address Tuesday evening. "We are now, as a nation, held hostage to the predictable — and predicted — disarray that has followed."

Webb, a Vietnam veteran who was Navy secretary during Republican President Reagan's administration, called for a new direction.

"Not one step back from the war against international terrorism. Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos," said Webb. "But an immediate shift toward strong regionally based diplomacy, a policy that takes our soldiers off the streets of Iraq's cities and a formula that will in short order allow our combat forces to leave Iraq."

Bush offered no such plan in his speech before the most unfriendly joint session of Congress of his tenure.

Instead, the president focused on making the case that "failure would be grievous and far-reaching" and he defended his plan to send 21,500 more troops to Iraq in a short-term surge. He also issued a long list of domestic policy initiatives centered on such pet Democratic issues as energy independence and health care.

Newly installed majority Democrats welcomed his overtures of bipartisanship but weren't interested in changing the subject.

"Unfortunately, tonight the president demonstrated he has not listened to Americans' single greatest concern: the war in Iraq," Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (news, bio, voting record), D-Nev., and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (news, bio, voting record), D-Calif., said in a joint statement. "We will continue to hold him accountable for changing course in Iraq."

In a speech written himself and previewed by senior Democratic officials, Webb challenged Bush to support the House-passed minimum wage increase and nurture an economy that restores the middle class. And he said Democrats would work with Bush to promote energy independence.

But he chose harsher rhetoric for what he framed Bush's abuse of the public's loyalty, trust and welfare in the rush to war.

"The war's costs to our nation have been staggering," he said. "Financially. The damage to our reputation around the world. The lost opportunities to defeat the forces of international terrorism, and especially the precious blood of our citizens who have stepped forward to serve."

Democrats also hammered home a message that achieving bipartisanship must be as much a part of Bush's agenda as proposals on the war, energy independence and health care.

"We hope to begin working with him to move our country in a new direction," Reid and Pelosi said in their statement.

"If he does, we will join him," Webb said. "If he does not, we will be showing him the way."

The speech capped the Democrats' effort to have the first, most frequent and last words on the president's annual address.

Seated in the gallery above the chamber was a reminder of a key factor in the Republicans' loss of congressional control and the lone veto of Bush's presidency. Actor Michael J. Fox, who has Parkinson's disease, attended as the guest of Rep. Jim Langevin, D-R.I., who is a quadriplegic, Langevin's spokeswoman said.

Both men have health problems that some scientists believe might someday be cured or treated by embryonic stem cell research. Bush last year vetoed a bill that would have allowed taxpayer money to speed up those studies, arguing that public funds should not be spent on research that destroys budding human life.

Fox then appeared in several campaign commercials for candidates that support the bill, sparking a controversy and helping tilt the election in the Democrats' favor. The House earlier this month passed the same bill by a margin far short of the two-thirds majority required to override a second veto.


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Government; Politics/Elections; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: bush; democrats; slam; warpolicy

1 posted on 01/23/2007 7:54:17 PM PST by NormsRevenge
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To: NormsRevenge

Webb's fat head looked like it actually grew on TV. Personally, I think he was petrified to fart and it
blew him up.


2 posted on 01/23/2007 7:55:59 PM PST by advertising guy (If computer skills named us, I'd be back-space delete.)
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To: NormsRevenge

They don't care who they get killed,, they remain true to their wacked wicked base.


3 posted on 01/23/2007 7:56:11 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... California 2007,, Where's a script re-write guy when ya need 'em?)
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To: advertising guy

"Webb's fat head looked like it actually grew on TV. Personally, I think he was petrified to fart and it
blew him up."

George Allan must have really screwed up his campaign to lose to that light weight.

The Rats showed they are not interested in the U.S. winning in Irag by their silence during that speech. And sadly most of the American Sheeple don't care because they didn't see this speech.


4 posted on 01/23/2007 7:59:35 PM PST by The South Texan (The Democrat Party and the Drive By Media are a Criminal Enterprise!)
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To: NormsRevenge

They keep trying to say they support the troops. That's a lie. You can't say you support he troops but won't give them the help to win a war.

Where is the legislation that talks about WINNING? They don't have one.


5 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:24 PM PST by BMC1 (11/7/06 THE DAY WE LOST THE WAR. TERRORISTS AND THE TERRORIST LOVING DEMONCRATS ARE NOW IN CONTROL.)
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To: NormsRevenge
Webb called for a new direction.

Right, load up all troops and head dead west to the USA as fast as the Marxist's yellow asses can get there. The Marxists are actually an insult to their name. All true Marxists love to fight and kill. These guys are starting to give their namesake, Stalin and Lenin bad names with their cut and run.

Have I told you all lately how much I hate, detest, despise, have total contempt for, and generally just flat do not like, Marxists Dimocrats.

6 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:50 PM PST by RetiredArmy (Marxis-Dimocrats stand for everything I hate and wish to see destroyed, including them!)
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To: NormsRevenge
Dem's want us to lose the war. They think if we lose they gain power even if it means they have to bow to islam. Obama already has prayer rugs in his office ready to pass out to Pelosi and the others as soon as they can help secure the loss in Iraq. The dem's support the troops like I support gay marriage.
7 posted on 01/23/2007 8:02:50 PM PST by Arcy
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To: NormsRevenge
Steny Hoyer said that Iraq is not a part of the WOT even though Zawahiri said Al-Qaeda is there and can beat our military.
8 posted on 01/23/2007 8:02:58 PM PST by tobyhill (The War on Terrorism is not for the weak.)
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To: NormsRevenge

The Democrats would sentence their own country to death for political gain. Very sad to witness.


9 posted on 01/23/2007 8:03:18 PM PST by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
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To: RetiredArmy
"Have I told you all lately how much I hate, detest, despise, have total contempt for, and generally just flat do not like, Marxists Democrats?"

I agree. demoncrats have NOTHING of interest to say as far as I'm concerned.

I HATE them. They are no better than the terrorists they want to win.
10 posted on 01/23/2007 8:03:54 PM PST by BMC1 (11/7/06 THE DAY WE LOST THE WAR. TERRORISTS AND THE TERRORIST LOVING DEMONCRATS ARE NOW IN CONTROL.)
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To: NormsRevenge

I thought Webb came across very poorly. When combined with things like Pelosi and the Democrats sitting on their hands when Bush declared failure was not an option, the Democrats looked very small, mean, and unpatriotic. Of course, that's not how it will be reported.

BTW, did anyone else seem to think that Webb looked like he has a bad toupee?


11 posted on 01/23/2007 8:10:44 PM PST by Entrepreneur
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To: Entrepreneur

Webb looked like he has a bad toupee?

Yup, Bump!


12 posted on 01/23/2007 8:13:33 PM PST by NormsRevenge (Semper Fi ...... California 2007,, Where's a script re-write guy when ya need 'em?)
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To: The South Texan

I'm glad I'm not the only one who noticed that. Every time the president talked about how we need to win and do what it takes to win, only half the room stood and clapped. The other half? Nothing. Really makes me disgusted. Seriously what kind of message does that send overseas and to our troops? That the democratic party could care less about our military's mission and succeeding in Iraq. Pathetic.

Sigh, and that man is my senator for 6 more years....... (through no fault of my own!)


13 posted on 01/23/2007 8:16:01 PM PST by the right side jedi
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To: NormsRevenge

"Regional based diplomacy". That would be Syria and Iran, wouldn't it? No wonder the Dims want nationalized health care. Their crack bills must be off the charts.


14 posted on 01/23/2007 8:20:22 PM PST by PzLdr ("The Emperor is not as forgiving as I am" - Darth Vader)
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To: NormsRevenge

Democrats blistered President Bush's war policy Tuesday nigh


In other breaking news
The average tenpature in the northern hemisphere is colder in Jan. than July.
If you walk ten feet off the top of a 20 story building nothing good can happen to you.


15 posted on 01/23/2007 8:24:58 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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To: Arcy

Dem's want us to lose the war

I don't think they want us to lose the war so much as they don't take it seriously. They view it like they would view a (say) farm bill. Just a way to bring home some pork, and score political points against the GOP.


16 posted on 01/23/2007 8:28:48 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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To: tobyhill
Steny Hoyer said that Iraq is not a part of the WOT even though Zawahiri said Al-Qaeda is there and can beat our military.

Yeah but they're only there because we're there, uhhh...instead of here...I mean ...Damn that Bush!

17 posted on 01/23/2007 8:29:11 PM PST by Eagles6 (Dig deeper, more ammo.)
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To: Valin

No, they want us to lose the war. They hate Bush, conservatism, capitalism, and you. It's for spite and it's about them getting power for the sake of having power.


18 posted on 01/23/2007 8:33:35 PM PST by Arcy
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To: NormsRevenge

Make note of the treasonous words these SOB's say right now. The day will come when these turncoats will pay for saying it. These things must be archived and not forgotten. They will regret it. There will be an attack much bigger than 9-11, and the only people who will have any 'credibility' will be the ones who remained consistent on this issue, that is: our President, some Republican law-makers and maybe a Democrat or two.


19 posted on 01/23/2007 8:37:17 PM PST by lmr (The answers to life don't involve complex solutions.)
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To: NormsRevenge

Traitors all. When Hillary lies about the President's policies and the history of our involvement she is unpatriotic, unAmerican and a danger to our Republic. But she was all that before Bush was our President.


20 posted on 01/23/2007 8:45:19 PM PST by TigersEye (If you don't understand the 2nd Amendment you don't understand America.)
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To: Arcy

(As always) I reserve my God given right to be wrong...on anything
That's not to say with some democrats what you're saying is correct but for the most part I think most of them just don't take it seriously.
At the end of the day it doesn't really matter which one of us is correct, as if they have their way (for what ever reason), America loses..and that's a very very bad thing.


21 posted on 01/23/2007 8:50:42 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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To: All
RE: unfriendly joint session of Congress

The Bush Democrats liked his "comprehensive" immigration reform.

I don't have a TV but on the radio I did not hear much reaction until near the end of the President's comments on immigration. There was applause for that don't-call-it-amnesty plan.

22 posted on 01/23/2007 9:01:53 PM PST by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: Valin
"Not one step back from the war against international terrorism. Not a precipitous withdrawal that ignores the possibility of further chaos," said Webb. "But an immediate shift toward strong regionally based diplomacy, a policy that takes our soldiers off the streets of Iraq's cities and a formula that will in short order allow our combat forces to leave Iraq."

Oh yeah,pull all the troops back,do the State Department bendover for Iran and Syria and then bugout. That's a plan alright.

Is it just me or does Webb look a lot like Howdy Doody.

23 posted on 01/23/2007 9:11:09 PM PST by WTSand
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To: lmr
There will be an attack much bigger than 9-11, and the only people who will have any 'credibility' will be the ones who remained consistent on this issue, that is: our President, some Republican law-makers and maybe a Democrat or two.

Lets see. There's Sen. Joe Lieberman. That's one. Hmm. And, uh... I seem to have run out of names of Dems supporting the WOT. Since Sen. Lieberman is now technically Independent, that makes the list of Dems even shorter.

24 posted on 01/23/2007 9:28:29 PM PST by 6SJ7
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To: lmr

Yes, we will have 'credibility' but we will be damaged beyond repair. I don't think we're going to make it out of this one.


25 posted on 01/23/2007 9:38:18 PM PST by bushfamfan (DUNCAN HUNTER FOR PRES. 2008)
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To: WTSand

Webb look a lot like Howdy Doody

And sounds like Sgt. Schultz
"I see nothing! I know nothing!"


26 posted on 01/23/2007 9:44:27 PM PST by Valin (History takes time. It is not an instant thing.)
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To: yldstrk
Even sadder, that is transparent to the meanest capacity, yet it actually does bring them political gain. For which more than the Dems are to blame.
27 posted on 01/23/2007 9:52:18 PM PST by JasonC
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To: NormsRevenge

I do not share citizenship with these clowns. Let loose the dogs of war.


28 posted on 01/23/2007 10:02:39 PM PST by gogeo (Irony is not one of Islam's core competencies (thx Pharmboy))
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To: Arcy

DemonRats bow to their Muslim masters


29 posted on 01/23/2007 10:14:17 PM PST by Free ThinkerNY ((((Truth shall set you free))))
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To: NormsRevenge

George Bush is one cocky guy. I like that I Think he's going to make the Democrats cry real good before it's all over with.


30 posted on 01/23/2007 10:17:45 PM PST by MATSEVAH
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To: All

The Dirty-undies want to draft him for president. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x22716


31 posted on 01/23/2007 10:27:49 PM PST by anglian
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To: NormsRevenge
Looking over the response by Webb, only a fool would pay much attention to what they seem to desire for the nation and Iraq;

Right in a Left World: When Comes The End?

The talking point may sound good, but history shows the fallacy and danger of his point.

32 posted on 01/23/2007 10:36:28 PM PST by DakotaRed
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To: The South Texan
George Allan must have really screwed up his campaign to lose to that light weight.

1. Allen screwed up royally.

2. Webb is no lighweight. A decorated veteran of Vietnam and Reagan's secretary of the Navy. He may be wrong about the issues, but he's no lighweight, and he did serve his country honorably.

33 posted on 01/23/2007 10:38:42 PM PST by freedomdefender
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To: freedomdefender

Webb is an ass, but compared Bayh during the hearing on General Pretraeus's confirmation, he is a paragon. I had a good opinion of Bayh, but he is just a bag of gas.


34 posted on 01/23/2007 10:46:42 PM PST by RobbyS ( CHIRHO)
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To: The South Texan; advertising guy; governsleastgovernsbest
I saw a little of MSNBC's coverage after the SOTU speech tonight. Chrissy Matthews and Keith Olbermann were absolutely giddy over Webb's speech. They thought it was absolutely brilliant... *barf*
35 posted on 01/23/2007 10:54:50 PM PST by nutmeg ("We're going to take things away from you on behalf of the common good." - Hillary Clinton 6/28/04)
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To: RetiredArmy

Hear hear. Ditto.


36 posted on 01/24/2007 10:41:48 AM PST by mallardx
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To: nutmeg

they were fueled by Taterhead Russert who came from NBCto pMSNBC and said WEBB said id Bush does NOT get the troops out ,the dems will and bloviated a will of powers"acomin"


37 posted on 01/24/2007 4:54:56 PM PST by advertising guy (If computer skills named us, I'd be back-space delete.)
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