Bush/Cheney Softening Tone on Iraq War Debate

[Red Harvest]

I've seen a couple of headlines of Bush and now Cheney softening their tone towards those with different views about what to do in Iraq. Questioning a large percentage of the U.S. citizenry's patriotism was perhaps showing signs of backfiring badly (as many Backroom members could attest.) Something's up--methinks someone warned them that they were touching the 3rd rail with this one.

Bush/Cheney are still heavily on the attack when it comes to WMD fiasco that was used as justification. They can't afford to cede any ground in that debate.

[Watchman]

I get this mental image of a man trying to hold back a crumbling dam with his hands.

[solypsist]

is there a news link or something other than a vague opinion here to make this threadworthy?

[Adrian II]

is there a news link or something other than an opinion here to make this threadworthy?

Just about every news link.

EDIT
For instance CNN, Washington Post, The New York Times

[solypsist]

then let's see something to support a debate or discussion.

[Redleg]

All one has to do is remember that the election cycle for all of the House and part of the Senate has now begun - and one begins to see why some rethoric begins to change.

[Red Harvest]

All one has to do is remember that the election cycle for all of the House and part of the Senate has now begun - and one begins to see why some rethoric begins to change.

Yes, that is what I'm seeing. If the Whitehouse takes too stern of a line, they will quickly alienate a rather large majority of voters, even those who have not made a decision and are on the bubble. With the 2006 election cycle, the GOP would have to vigorously campaign against the Whitehouse if that happened, and that would be extremely hazardous for Bush/Cheney.

Anyway, I think there is a realization that further polarization will backfire...if they are in the minority opinion. Polarization works as long as you have some sort of majority, no matter how slim.

P.S. Didn't post a link as I was seeing it everywhere over the past 24 hours...

[Xiahou]

I've seen a couple of headlines of Bush and now Cheney softening their tone towards those with different views about what to do in Iraq. Questioning a large percentage of the U.S. citizenry's patriotism was perhaps showing signs of backfiring badly (as many Backroom members could attest.) Something's up--methinks someone warned them that they were touching the 3rd rail with this one.

Can you find any quotes from when an administration official openly questioned someone's patriotism over Iraq? I'm just curious...

[Red Harvest]

From CNN:

McClellan added, "The eve of an historic democratic election in Iraq is not the time to surrender to the terrorists."

McClellan said it is "baffling that [Murtha] is endorsing the policy positions of Michael Moore and the extreme liberal wing of the Democratic party."

And of course the typical attack dogs like that GOP rep that called Murtha a coward by proxy. Or the ones here who make the same basic accusation that it is cowardly and/or unpatriotic to suggest a timetable or leaving at all.

Of course we still have

Cheney labeled "dishonest and reprehensible" those Democrats who voted in October 2002 authorizing President Bush's request to go to war in Iraq and now oppose the effort under the claim that that the president lied to the American people about pre-war intelligence

Pretty amusing from the Vice President of torture. (Something the president is also denying...lol.)

[ichi]

One thing that this adminsitration has are great pollsters, folks who know where the pressure lies. Now we'll get the kinder, gentler machine gun hand Neil Young wrote.

But let's go with Toots and the Maytals

Pressure Drop

It is you (oh yeah)
It is you, you (oh yeah)
It is you (oh yeah)

Cause a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you
I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah pressure drop a drop on you

I say when it drops, oh you gonna feel it
Know that you were doing wrong.

I say a pressure drop, oh pressure
Oh yeah, pressure drop a drop on you [2x]

if you don't get it don't worry

ichi

[Xiahou]

And of course the typical attack dogs like that GOP rep that called Murtha a coward by proxy. Or the ones here who make the same basic accusation that it is cowardly and/or unpatriotic to suggest a timetable or leaving at all.

Pretty amusing from the Vice President of torture. (Something the president is also denying...lol.)

That's all well and fine. But I still dont see where any patriotism is being attacked. I think many liberals are trying to put themselves into the convenient position of being able to play the victim and cry foul whenever any of there positions on Iraq are disputed.

Democrat: We should pull out of Iraq
Republican: That's the worst thing we could do.
Democrat: How dare you question my Patriotism??? I love my country!

[Geoffrey S]

Democrat: We should pull out of Iraq
Republican: That's the worst thing we could do.
Democrat: How dare you question my Patriotism??? I love my country!

Sounds familiar.

[Red Harvest]

That's all well and fine. But I still dont see where any patriotism is being attacked. I think many liberals are trying to put themselves into the convenient position of being able to play the victim and cry foul whenever any of there positions on Iraq are disputed.

Democrat: We should pull out of Iraq
Republican: That's the worst thing we could do.
Democrat: How dare you question my Patriotism??? I love my country!

Oh get real. I'll insert a mix of some lines I've heard here and by the Whitehouse...

Democrat: We should pull out of Iraq
Republican: That's the worst thing we could do. That would be surrendering to terrorists.
Democrat: Your plan isn't working, it is time to start withdrawing.
Republican: You just want us to lose so that you can claim a political victory.
Democrat: How dare you question my Patriotism??? I love my country!
Republican: You have always wanted us to lose in Iraq, that is why you voted for the war.
Democrat: That doesn't even make any sense...