WP: Democrats Sharpen Attack on Bush Over Iraq

[arcos]

juicy!!!


Democrats Sharpen Attack on Bush Over Iraq
Political Assault Focuses on Current Instability and Intelligence Used to Justify War

Democrats yesterday sharpened what is becoming their broadest and most unified attack on President Bush over Iraq, demanding a full accounting of the intelligence used to justify the war and calling on the White House to seek greater international assistance in stabilizing the country.

Many Democrats, who remain deeply divided over the wisdom of going to war in the first place, are putting aside their differences to accuse Bush of using a discredited allegation that Iraq tried to buy nuclear material in Africa, and of failing to adequately protect U.S. troops with his postwar policies.

<snip>

The issue could backfire on Democrats in other ways, political analysts said. If Bush is proven right, and nuclear, biological or chemical weapons are found in Iraq, Democrats will appear to have wrongly bashed the president for political reasons, according to strategists in both parties.

The most hyperbolic and unhelpful statement so far, some Democrats said, was the suggestion Monday by Sen. Bob Graham (Fla.), also a presidential candidate, that if Bush misled the American people, it might rise to the "standard" of an impeachable offense.

The issue will be joined again today, when Tenet testifies, and on Thursday, when British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Bush's closest ally in the war, addresses a joint session of Congress.

<snip>

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A61675-2003Jul15.html?nav=hptop_ts


Graham calling for impeachment? Thursday will be interesting with Blair addressing Congress.

[SodoffBush]

1. The democratic slogan for campaign 2004: Mermaid Pride

So far, dem reaction to Chimpy's disastrous foreign and domestic policies has been that of a cold fish.

Bush's campaign slogan will change from "Leave no child behind" to

Bush: Guaranteed to wet your pants

[primavera]

2. Not to nitpick...

...but I kind of wish these articles focussed more on the substance of the crimes committed by the misadministration, rather than depicting Dem efforts to jockey for political advantage. For instance, from the Post article in question:

With the 2004 election season nearing, Democrats are trying to chip away at Bush's credibility with voters, not just on the Iraq issue but on the economy, education and Medicare. Democratic focus groups show that voters, even many Democrats, continue to view Bush as trustworthy.

Democrats, who have searched for a soft spot on Bush since he took office, said the Iraqi intelligence flap could be the breakthrough issue they have sought. But past attacks on Bush over corporate corruption, the economy and his close ties to the energy industry didn't seem to stick.

This makes it sound like the Dems are just frantically looking for a criticism - any criticism - that will stick to the teflon Führer (which, okay, admittedly we are) when, to my way of thinking, the emphasis should be on the fact that the administration knowingly and willfully lied to Congress, the UN, and the American people in order to further an agenda for which they knew only too well support would be not forthcoming if they openly and honestly reported their spurious rationalizations for their Iraq policy. That should be the story, not that Dems happen to be the ones pursuing it.

[newyorican]

3. That's the point...

turn this into a political fight, instead of treating it as the crime it appears to be. When the "Media" focuses on the political side-show they are, in effect, laying down with the Admin like a good lap dog. (Picture a Toy Poodle named Fifi.)