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Biggest winner of all is Rumsfeld
The Australian ^
| April 11 2003
Posted on 04/10/2003 12:56:44 PM PDT by knighthawk
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To: ConservativeDude
Neither.
Bush played Powell's hand b/c it was the right thing to do and stopped the Dems and Sec Council from complaining about US unilateralism.
If the UN went along, great. If they didn't, they would lose. It was a no-lose bet.
I would take those all the time. Bush does, and that's why he is the President.
To: knighthawk
There are even rumours that Powell may not serve out the rest of Bush's first presidential term. That is not to say Powell's moderation and international credibility are not valued by Bush, who likes having divergent advisers among whom he adjudicates. I don't mind having Powell at State with a moderating voice. And he has been a good soldier once a decision is made. He has been supportive of the war once the UN route was discarded. However, where I think Powell hurts us is his reliance on the old guard at Foggy Bottom, the Clintonites. Rumsfeld cleaned house at the Pentagon; Powell has left his intact, and they run around interfering with this war.
Powell did blab too much to Woodward.
22
posted on
04/10/2003 1:25:27 PM PDT
by
Defiant
(The Blazing Saddles Defense: "Don't shoot, or the Iraqi gets it!")
To: knighthawk
I think Powell will last through the campaign, but will leave soon after Bush's re-election. He will, I think, be given an open door to any diplomatic position he wants upon his departure, however, so he might end up as Ambassador to the U.K or Japan.
The question then falls as to what Condi Rice will be doing. If Bush selects her for VP candidate, great! If not, she would be a top choice to go to State, or even Homeland Security if Ridge wants out. I don't see her sitting as NSA for a second term.
Either way, Bush needs to make sure that once the Iraq War leaves the daily flood of news coverage that he hands his now considerable political capital to Rove. Rove has proven to be a great political mind and after winning big on the mid-terms and now winning big on the war, Bush's political bank book is bulging. He can't afford to get careless in his spending of it now, and Rove is clearly to one to hold the political purse-strings.
First thing domestically is to break the deadlock over the judges. I was upset at the Senate, still am to a point, over not being aggresive enough. Bush may now have enough political power to tighten the screws there without any vulnerable Republican Senators getting dirt on them. If Bush can win this battle, he might completely break the back of the centrist Democrats and cause the widening rift between the left and central branches of the party to become a giant gulf. If that happens, watch for Nader to make another run.
Anyway, enough rambling now, just nice to think on politics for a change.
To: knighthawk
There are no "winners" yet. Our boys are still out there fighting and dying. This talk of winner and losers is I think very disrespectful at this time. We lost 4 today dammit.
And another thing....TELL THE WHITE HOUSE "NO" TO BARBARA BODINE!!!
To: knighthawk
The biggest winners are the Iraqi people.
To: Publius
The question is, did Powell set the UN up deliberately? Or did Bush set up Powell?
I bet it is the latter. GWB has done some things that many of us have wondered about at first....but it always turns out good in the end. His political savvy may be the greatest among all the Presidents.
I was totally against going to the UN. I bet GWB went along knowing he would either get its support...or embarrass it if it didnt. And Powell got caught in the trap
26
posted on
04/10/2003 1:41:30 PM PDT
by
UCFRoadWarrior
(Terrorists Disappointed: Madonna Not Really "Like A Virgin")
To: Anitius Severinus Boethius
what you said...
let's get those judges in...but I am also sorry we seem to be having trouble recruiting for the '04 senate races...I really think Jennifer Dunn could have beaten Patty Bin Laden.
27
posted on
04/10/2003 1:41:48 PM PDT
by
Keith
To: knighthawk
The only important thing with the Army is the equipment on-hand. Manpower can be called up as needed. The US has something like 8000 M1A1 tanks, and another 3000 or so M60 tanks in storage. That's enough for about 40 armored divisions to be created within one year (I believe we have around 15 active???). Considering it took just two armored divisions to kick Iraq's ass, we can see that they are clearly committed to maintaining the potential of overwhelming US superiority. There is no reason to pay for all the troops needed for that though to be on active duty - that's why we have reserve forces.
To: bedolido
I'd love to see him run for prez against Bill's former in 2008I wanted to see Rummy run for Prez in the last THREE elections.
29
posted on
04/10/2003 1:50:22 PM PDT
by
Cobra64
(REMOVE)
To: bedolido
I'd love to see him run for prez against Bill's former in 2008 The present Republican Governor of Florida will do the running in 2008. -Tom
To: knighthawk
Trying to be objective as possible, I have never seen a more impressive group of individuals than GW, Condi, Rummy, Powell, and Cheney. They are all incredibly decent, straightforward, intellegent, dignified, selfless, and possess great character. We are truly blessed to have them. I can only imagine the vermin Gore would have running around.
Thank you Elian for tipping the scales in Florida.
31
posted on
04/10/2003 1:59:02 PM PDT
by
MattinNJ
To: ConservativeDude
Wolfowitz has been thorouoghly demonized by the left.......UNJUSTLY, but nevertheless he has been attacked.
Condi Rice would be an excellent replacement for Powell.
As for Rumsfeld, I have always considered him the most intelligent person in the administration. Perfect for the position he holds and consider us blessed to have him. I shudder when I think of Cohen......Albright and that america hating crew.
32
posted on
04/10/2003 2:00:00 PM PDT
by
OldFriend
(without the brave, there would be no land of the free)
To: Defiant
I agree with you about Powell. He has his say, strongly, and then backs the decision of the President no matter what it is.
He's too multilaterist for my tastes, but his input is valuable.
33
posted on
04/10/2003 2:09:21 PM PDT
by
dead
To: knighthawk
There can be no doubt about it. Donald Rumsfeld is the man of the year.
No one even comes close.
To: dead
He ain't my favorite by a long shot, but Powell is the number 1 political asset that Bush has going for him with much of the electorate, and certainly with the press. We had all better pray that he stays through the re-election campaign.
35
posted on
04/10/2003 2:33:00 PM PDT
by
mwl1
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