DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE WAR IN IRAQ

Republican National Committee ^ | 13 July 2003 | RNC Research

[PhiKapMom]

DEMOCRATS POLITICIZE WAR IN IRAQ

From The Beginning, Democrats Have Played Pure Partisan Politics

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Los Angeles Times’ Ron Brownstein: “I think clearly, the Democrats, there’s obviously a political element of this. The Democrats have been on the defensive on national security issues all year, and they have struggled to find a line of argument about dealing with Iraq ...” (CNN News, 7/14/03)

SIX MONTHS BEFORE THE WAR …

Reps. Jim McDermott (D-WA) And David Bonior (D-MI) Visited Baghdad To Support Saddam’s Regime And Urged Bush Administration To Not “Play The Blame Game” With Iraq. (Laura Meckler, “Division Over Iraq Despite Bush Hopes For Unity,” The Associated Press, 9/29/02)

FIVE MONTHS BEFORE THE WAR …

Dean Claimed Iraq War About Midterm Elections. “Dean suggested a political motive for the campaign focus on Iraq, noting that voters traditionally rally behind a president in times of international tensions. … ‘It’s hard to escape the conclusion that some of this has to do with the midterm elections.’” (Mike Glover, “Annual Dinner Draws Democratic Presidential Hopefuls,” The Associated Press, 10/6/02)

Two Days After Voting For Use Of Force Resolution, Kerry Said There Was No Justification For Initiating War With Iraq. “If the president of the United States decides to go unilaterally, I think it would be one of the great catastrophes and mistakes of our time … There is no justification whatsoever for sending Americans, for the first time in American history, to war as the belligerent, as the initiator of it . . . without showing an imminent threat to our country.” (H.J. Res. 114, Roll Call #237, Passed 77-23: R 48-1; D 29-21; I 0-1, 10/11/02; C. T. Revere, “Sen. Kerry: War Resolution Not Absolute,” Tucson Citizen, 10/14/02)

THREE MONTHS BEFORE THE WAR …

Dean Asked Why Other Dem Hopefuls Didn’t “Stand Up To The President” When It Mattered. “Dean insisted that he is the only candidate who opposed President Bush’s request to use force against Saddam Hussein. ‘All these guys running say how terrible Iraq is,’ Dean told Iowa voters Sunday … ‘Where were they four months ago when we really needed them to stand up to the president of the United States?’” (Jeff Zeleny, “Potential For War Troubles Field Of Democratic Hopefuls,” Chicago Tribune, 1/20/03)

TWO WEEKS BEFORE THE WAR …

Dean Claimed President Has “Obsession With Iraq.” “Describing President Bush’s foreign policy approach as ‘ghastly,’ Dean said … the White House was ‘doing virtually nothing about [North Korea]’ as it prepares for war with Baghdad. ‘It’s appalling. They are putting us in harm’s way because of their obsession with Iraq …’” (John Whitesides, “Dean Says Bush Putting U.S. ‘In Harm’s Way’,” Reuters, 3/5/03)

TWO DAYS BEFORE THE WAR …

On Eve Of War, Daschle Blamed Potential War Casualties On President Bush. “I’m saddened, saddened that this president failed so miserably at diplomacy that we’re now forced to war. Saddened that we have to give up one life because this president couldn’t create the kind of diplomatic effort that was so critical for our country.” (Senator Tom Daschle, Remarks At AFSCME Conference, 3/17/03)

TWO WEEKS INTO THE WAR …

Despite March Promise Not To Attack President During War, In April, Kerry Called For “Regime Change” In America. “What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States.” (Glen Johnson, “Democrats On The Stump Plot Their War Rhetoric,” The Boston Globe, 3/11/03; Glen Johnson, “Kerry Says Us Needs Its Own ‘Regime Change,’” The Boston Globe, 4/3/03)

Kerry Campaign Was “Thrilled” At Backlash On “Regime Change” Comment. “Strategists for Kerry were thrilled at the back-and-forth, which crowded out news of their candidate’s second-place finish … in the early campaign money chase. ‘Any day we’re having a fight with Tom DeLay and Rush Limbaugh is a day we’re having a fight with the right people,’ said the strategist … ‘It only serves to validate for Democratic voters what a good Democrat you are.’” (Mark Z. Barabak, “Kerry Accuses GOP Of ‘Fake Patriotism’ In Flap,” Los Angeles Times, 4/5/03)

AND NOW…

DNC Uses Email Video Attack On President Bush As Fundraising Tool. “An e-mail that the Democratic National Committee sent Thursday to more than a million party faithful appealed for donations to pay for an ad that sharply questions President Bush’s veracity on Iraq’s weapons as several of the candidates stepped up their criticism of the commander in chief.” (Nedra Pickler, “Democrats Sharply Question Bush’s Credibility On Iraq,” The Associated Press, 7/10/03)

Democrat Activist Groups Run Television Ad Attacking President Bush On War. “[T]he online advocacy groups MoveOn.org and Win Without War are launching a television advertising campaign accusing Bush of misleading Americans. The ads feature unflattering, green-tinted photos of the president …” (Brian Faler, “Politics,” The Washington Post, 7/14/03)

[mystery-ak]

me too.

[Musket]

No question about it: Sadaam is LOVING what the Democrats and the media are doing. I think(hope) most people can see this.

[PhiKapMom]

I watched Ed Gillespie, incoming RNC Chairman, today on John Gibson's show. He did a fantastic job of taking on Gibson and his biased questions. I am getting as disgusted with Fox daytime as I am the other cable channels. Gibson and others were running with this Niger story today and frankly I found it disgusting!

[Wait4Truth]

I guess I disagree. I see hillary running in 04. I see the clintons laying the groundwork to destroy President Bush. They are traveling the world and turning world leaders against him. The RATS/media are all in this together. The country doesn't matter to them. The troops don't matter to them. They are praying for another attack on America and for the economy to stay bad or get worse. Power is everything to them and I fear we have only seen the very tip of the iceburg of what is to come.

[MJY1288]

We can take comfort in the fact that everytime the democrats have pulled this crap, it's backed fired on them, and I believe this time will no different. Maybe they have been set up for a big fall

[PhiKapMom]

The media and the RATs could care less about the morale of our troops which is obvious after the last few days. But the media and the RATs didn't see anything wrong with not counting military ballots in Florida either.

I have totally had it with the media including most of Fox news and the others don't even come up on the radar screen. I was just told Time and Newsweek are both going after the President this week too.

We have to start going on the offensive including on here against the Bush bashers. Start writing letters to your editor and tell them the RATS and media are destroying the morale of our troops with their lies.

[MJY1288]

Fox seems to be playing it up for the attention, I also find it disgusting

[PhiKapMom]

Did President Bush say it was a mistake personally or was this a quote from Ari?

[Wait4Truth]

I think the media should be made aware of what effect this NON-STORY they're hyping is having on our troops. The democrats should pay dearly for what they have done.

The dems will not pay. The media supports what they are doing and are, in fact, assisting them. They are evil and led by the clintons. The only way to stop them is for every single Republican to come out and vote against them in November 2004. If we do not unite, hillary will be president in January of 2005.

[PhiKapMom]

Maybe what we need to do is start an email campaign telling the troops how much we appreciate what they are doing! You will have Freep Mail shortly as soon as I write it. I want your opinion on something!

[Wait4Truth]

You tell Mike and his guys that there is plenty of love coming their way from many very, very grateful Americans. the RATS can go to hell! They don't care about America, our troops or our security. It is all a game of power for them and they don't care what they destroy in their quest. They are sickening.

[MJY1288]

That sounds like a great idea

[Wait4Truth]

I sure agree with you! I have had enough Mr. Nice Guy! He tried to change the tone and it didn't work. Time for Texas hardball!

[andy58-in-nh]

Name any issue of consequence, no matter how seemingly benign, that the Democrats have NOT attempted to politicize over the past 30 years.

(Insert sound of chirping crickets here)
Exactly.

[mystery-ak]

That's one thing Mike mentioned last night...he was trying to cheer ME up about all this...he thinks Bush is holding all the cards(I hope he's right)......one other thing he told me was that his troops and other GI's he's talked to from different units can't understand why the media isn't reporting all the good things they are doing...he was talking with a captain in the 3rd ID who said that most Iraqi's support them overwhelmingly...thanking them, crying in gratitude, grabbing and shaking and kissing their hands.....where are these stories?

[Wait4Truth]

Juxtapose to Republicans doing this during WW2!

The thing is, Republicans would never dream of breaking the morale of our troops. We are too patriotic to do that. The RATS are pathetic! And the media supports them totally.

[AGreatPer]

I agree with everything you say in #24. Everything.

But my point is simply they are funny just now. They make stupid statements and go on fishing trips just to find any issue that might hold water. Curently, they are in a panic situation.

Of course, I don't trust those sneaky bastards. Yes, they are undermining everything good this country stands for and we all must be heads up.

[Wait4Truth]

I wish military people could speak their minds! This President is getting a raw deal. He loves the military and he loves every single man and woman in it. What is being done by the RATS is disgusting and somehow I hope they pay dearly for it.

[PhiKapMom]

The stories are at Air Force News Service for the most part! Other than that I have seen very few positive stories.

The media is doing a disservice to the men and women who are serving this Country in Iraq and Afghanistan as well as other places aroung the World. It is time we told the media what we think of their despicable behavior!

[mystery-ak]

It's a great idea Mom, but the majority of the troops do not have internet access, especially around Baghdad and surrounding cities...these are the troops who need cheering up.