Kristol & Kagan: "Senior White House Aides:" Speak Up!

The Weekly Standard ^ | 04/11/2002 | William Kristol and Robert Kagan

[Pokey78]

The leak-proof White House is telling reporters--on background--that the administration is souring on Ariel Sharon. Who are these rogues?

YESTERDAY, in Madrid, the American Secretary of State virtually obliterated the distinction between terrorists and those fighting terrorists: "I think we are all in agreement and the world is in agreement that the solution will not be produced by terror or a response to terror." Quite a departure from the Bush Administration's response to September 11.

Later in the day, White House spokesman Ari Fleischer joined in the holiday from moral judgment. He said that the murderous suicide bomb attack in Haifa, in which eight Israelis were killed and a dozen others wounded, somehow underscored "the need for all parties to step back, for Israel to withdraw, and for the Palestinians and the Arabs to stop the violence, stop the killing." How wonderfully even-handed (even as it ignores the fact that the terrorist attacks against Israel have declined significantly since the Israeli military offensive began).

Administration officials speaking anonymously to reporters went further. "U.S. officials" told CNN White House correspondent John King Tuesday night that the ambush of Israeli military forces in the West Bank "would not have happened had Prime Minister Sharon heeded the president's advice and pulled back his troops." In other words, if Israelis die fighting terrorism, it is their fault for fighting back and for not heeding the American president's warning.

In fact, some senior White House officials seem to have launched a campaign against the national unity government of Ariel Sharon. The Washington Post quoted "administration sources" saying support for Sharon was "eroding . . . inside the White House." These "senior White House aides are beginning to express doubts about whether the Israeli leader can be a long-term partner in achieving the administration's goals in the Middle East."

These "senior White House aides" may be unaware that the current Israeli military operation has the overwhelming support of Israeli people across the political spectrum. But in any case, isn't it rather extraordinary, at a time when Secretary Powell is reaching out his hand to "Chairman" Arafat, that White House officials are now suggesting they would like to see the elected prime minister of Israel out of office?

Which leads to the question: Who are these "senior White House aides"? For months we've been reading about the unprecedented discipline of this White House--how no one speaks to the press without authorization. So we can safely assume that only the highest officials in the White House could be making statements with such significant policy implications. People at the level of, say, Andrew Card, Karl Rove, Karen Hughes, Condoleezza Rice, and Ari Fleischer.

Is it really the case that "regime change" in Israel is now administration policy? If not, these officials may want to publicly dispel the impression left by "senior White House aides."

[Mo1]

My dream: Kristol discredited, humiliated, and unemployed.

Mine too ...

[a_witness]

I'm lonely ?

Is that your best debate technique ? LOL
Go back to school. Learn how to spell. Learn how to speak. Learn how to think. Grow a conscience, and some courage, if you can.

[a_witness]

Some of the Bushites are just like the Clintonites. Thankfully Rush kept his integrity, as did many other conservatives. Bush II, if he keeps this up, will take the party down with him just like Clinton did.

[Texas Cornhusker]

Oh well said, and who exactly is the one that has been brandishing the Jewish card at anyone with a differing opinion? This is turning into one of those highly intellectual playground fights where next your going to tell me your dad is bigger than my dad right?

[Cold Heat]

As I said, If this effort fails. You will likely get your wish. Millions will likely die and most of them will be Muslims.

I wonder what God would think of that? (since you brought up Christianity)

[Mo1]

What dribble ? The Washington Post article that Kristol had nothing to do with ? Did you read it ?

I did and this article like the Posts is nothing but a joke ..

[Lancey Howard]

People like Kristol focus on what Bush and Company say publicly rather than what they do.
I mean, politicians are going to say whatever they have to say in order to play the diplomacy game.
Pure p.r. Big whoop.

I put a whole lot more importance in what they do.

[Texas Cornhusker]

The same Rush who stated he didnt bother to vote until 1988, if conservative principle meant so much to him then you would have thought he'd jumped at the chance to vote for Reagen. Rush is a media shill, who hold a large audience. He needs media coverage to enlarge his ratings and increase his paycheck. How else do you explain the fact that he has the answer to everything and knows how to get things done but yet, he has never put his money where his mouth is and ran for office? I guess they dont pay as well, also its not as easy to have all the answers when your responsible for enacting them.

[a_witness]

I wonder what God would think of that?

You mean you don't know. Don't you read ? Don't you know what happens to all the nations that gather against Israel in the end ?

What did your god think of the United States' victory in WW II ?

[a_witness]

You must be a blue blood country club Republican. Rush as done more recruiting for the conservative and Republican cause than anyone in America since Reagan.

[a_witness]

In other words, you hold that Bush is not a man of his word.

[a_witness]

Why has he allowed 53,000 muslims to enter this country since 911?

Why did he allow Saudi planes to leave the United States on September 11th when all other planes were grounded ?

[Cold Heat]

Some victory. Now it's over 50 years later and the very people we fought and died for are taking the opposite side on the Mid East issue.

You really are ignorant aren't you? I'll bet you spend your time at coffee shops talking with people who know even less than you. Makes you feel important, doesn't it? LOL! :-)

[Texas Cornhusker]

The Saudi plane things been exposed as a myth. Go to Urban legends.com

[a_witness]

LOL, what is wrong with a waitress ?

What do you do for a living ?

[Texas Cornhusker]

Where did he even mention the word waitress? What an idiot, why dont you spend some time reading the post before responding?

[a_witness]

That's strange. I was in another article on FreeRepublic this week. I'll check it out again. The House of Saud is very connected with the Bush family. That legend is true.

[Cold Heat]

Retired electrician/engineer. No coffee shops for me. Too many demorats around these parts.

[Texas Cornhusker]

Go to UrbanLegends.com, do you believe everything you read?

[a_witness]

You like to use that word alot. I recognize that you are unregenerate. Please refrain from using it. It adds nothing to the discussion and harms only you.