From the White House, a nightmare scenario - U.S. News & World Report

[robertpaulsen]

Just saw this over in GD, thought I'd bring it over here for greater exposure. Mods, if this doesn't qualify as news, please delete.

Washington Whispers
From the White House, a nightmare scenario

White House officials say they've got a "working premise" about terrorism and the presidential election: It's going to happen. "We assume," says a top administration official, "an attack will happen leading up to the election." And, he added, "it will happen here." There are two worst-case scenarios, the official says. The first posits an attack on Washington, possibly the Capitol, which was believed to be the target of the 9/11 jet that crashed in Pennsylvania. Theory 2: smaller but more frequent attacks in Washington and other major cities leading up to the election. To prepare, the administration has been holding secret antiterrorism drills to make sure top officials know what to do. "There was a sense," says one official involved in the drills, "of mass confusion on 9/11. Now we have a sense of order." Unclear is the political impact, though most Bushies think the nation would rally around the president. "I can tell you one thing," adds the official sternly, "we won't be like Spain," which tossed its government days after the Madrid train bombings.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/040524/whispers/24whisplead.htm

[billybob537]

1. They have misunderestimated this

maybe we will toss our unelected pResident.

[saigon68]

2. This is scary shit

Who the "F" are these unnamed people---They are probably going to set the bombs.

[TahitiNut]

10. "most Bushies think the nation would rally around the president"

There's the motive. :shrug: (Hannah Arendt wrote about these people.)

[koopie57]

39. I don't get it

If we have an attack(s) before the elections, why would we rally around the administration that allowed it to happen twice or three times or four? Wouldn't people want these barrel heads to get out of there and let someone in who can do a better job keeping us safe? It is sort of like if you have a lock on your door and three times a burglar can pick it, wouldn't you get a different lock? How in the world did so many crazy people happen to come together and produce this administration?

[nadinbrzezinski]

44. IT is the rally around the flag and leader

effect. It is reliable, it has worked in US History at all times

They are assuming it will work this time.

They are not counting on the ... but you allowed this shit to happen again...

Most folks do NOT read the US News and World report... think the days after 9.11 and we are all americans now... under that was, we are all behind the Preznit, reqgardless of who this is

[kysrsoze]

74. I don't think they will rally around him this time. Bush's approval

rating has been steadily declining. If anything, I think they are more prepared to declare martial law and cancel the elections. They don't say it, but the "rally around the president" thing is too obvious and it didn't work well with Spain. I think October surprise will be a coup attempt.

[0007]

57. That's the theme and now the "Mission Statement" will be; Be an American

and support your president in these times of uncertainity.

[anarchy1999]

87. Oh my God. Here it is........

I'm just so not up for this. I just have to laugh. Remind me again why I'm going to the Halliburton Stock Holders Protest in Houston tomorrow?

I think I need another drink. . . .

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. This is the October Surprise Model II

ready for a new product to be rolled out?

Remember we need to keep them afraid

[David Zephyr]

22. Karl Rove Is On His Prayer Rug...Praying to Osama to Help Bush.

How utterly vile can the Republicans be?

They actually are planning George Bush's re-election in November around an attack on our nation by Osama bin Laden!

Every American should be made aware of this now so that when, God forbid, something does happen, that our citizens are immunized to Rove's strategy to show Bush as a 'great leader in crisis'.

This gives a whole new meaning to the phrase: "he'll do anything to get elected....anything."

[Media_Lies_Daily]

60. Why would Rove need to pray to reach Osama?....

Doesn't the man live in the White House basement as part of the NeoCon, Pentagon-based OSP?

Get off your fat Fascist butt, Karl, and go downstairs and find him!

Idiot.

[saigon68]

76. And while he's at it he can Search for Elvis, Judge Crater and the

Killer of O.J. Simpson's wife. all rumored to be playing Poker w/ Osama

[peterh]

29. H.L. Mencken said it best…

The whole aim of practical politics is to keep the populace alarmed (and hence clamorous to be led to safety) by menacing it with an endless series of hobgoblins, all of them imaginary



But then, there’s nothing imaginary about bush….

[PaDUer]

45. Why aren't the D's in DC and

the R's who aren't happy with * and gang, throw them out already? What's the problem since I'm sure they're aware and have read these reports and know what's going on? Plus, the plan in case they're wiped out, for someone else to take over? What don't they see, something doesn't seem right...

[shanti]

4. "we won't be like spain"

hmmmm, so it's a slam dunk, eh?

[The Backlash Cometh]

68. Er...wouldn't it be up to the voters to decide? That's what Spain did.

Are they now saying that they'll stop the elections IF there's a terrorist attack prior to the elections?

[shanti]

80. of course

they haven't come out and said this in so many words, but would you put it past them after all they've already said and done? i certainly wouldn't!

[stinkeefresh]

5. what kind of-

fucking arrogance do you need to say, sternly, that "we won't be like Spain". We'll be EXACTLY like Spain, motherfucker. Landslide.

[DBoon]

86. Maybe they mean

That unlike Spain, they will cancel the elections to make sure they aren't thrown out?

And yes, I do think they are that evil.

[jimshoes]

6. These people are certifiable....

The one thing they can be sure of is the electorate most certainly will dump chimpy no matter what does or does not happen leading up to the election. I suspect this misministration will be polling in the low 30's by November. Try postponing the election and this country will shut down.

[ewagner]

7. Just checked the calendar

Following the Madrid model, this means that Oct 29 and 30 are the days we'll be most vulnerable. If something happens on a Friday, the shock and impact will have the weekend plus Monday to settle in before the election.

This seems to be what the "unidentified" WH offical seems to be planning (oops) I mean preparing for..........

[TahitiNut]

12. Halloween

Fitting. :eyes:

[Virginian]

13. Sounds like a plan to me.

It's going to happen. "We assume," says a top administration official, "an attack will happen leading up to the election." And, he added, "it will happen here."

They seem to have the date and location all set. Residents of DC, like NYC vote Democrat, so the attack won't dilute the base.

[Auntie Bush]

24. Hey..that's my Birthday!

[MidwestTransplant]

8. Spain's government was booted because they lied

Said it was ETA when they knew damn well it was ME Terrorism.

[bahrbearian]

17. But we all feel so much safer with Chimpy and the Grown-Ups.

[robertpaulsen]

19. Maybe Bush administration will be booted because they lied!

Said it was al Qaeda when they knew damn well what strings the man behind the curtain was pulling.

[Rochambeau]

59. True about Spain ! How long will we need to repeat and repeat again...

that FACT ?!?

[htuttle]

9. So are they going to lift a finger to stop it this time?

Or are they going to come up with some lame crap like 'Nobody could have known' again?

[Eye and Monkey]

84. No, they won't lift a finger. They've already found a patsy.

A patsy to blame it on. The patsy is being set-up even as we discuss this.

[Just Me]

11. How can they be so certain when they don't know what they do know.

Yet, somehow they do know what they don't know?

Apparently, they WANT it to happen.

That is my impression!!!!

:argh:

[mhr]

14. Who Would Want To Live In DC Anymore Knowing You Are Going To Die?

These folks only know negative messages!

[bluestateguy]

15. A few points

1) "The Hill" recently reported that the Kerry team has a "doomsday" committee to plan for possible responses to this kind of stuff.

2) Kerry would be in a tight position under such a scenario: say nothing and let Bush take the spotlight; shower Bush with praise and support, thus giving people no reason to dump the incumbent president; or launch a full frontal attack on Bush, which will not be taken well by the corporate media. All 3 are bad options, but I think the latter yields the best chance for successful results.

3) I rallied around the president once before after 9/11. I won't do it again.

4) If this country "re" elects Bush because a few bombs go off somewhere in America then this country will get what it deserves for the next four years.

5) This is how they get the political support they need for a draft. Would a draft pass Congress today? No, it's an election year, and there is no sense of impending panic as there was in late 2001. Another attack makes it a whole new ball game. Would the Patriot Act have passed on 9/10/01? No, but catastrophic events turn what had previously been political non-starters into the politically mainstream.

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Career Prole]

18. I'm really worried about the FleetCenter in July...

...for me that's where the nightmare scenario happens. Who'll be in charge of security there? Government people? I'm so not relieved.:scared:

[Nlighten1]

20. "we won't be like Spain,"

Nope, they will declare martial law.


Everyone got their guns yet?

[agincourt]

56. Correct

These are criminals in power and you bet they would arrange a terrorist attack to stay in power. If there was ever a real investigation of Bushco once they were out of office, who knows what they'd find? These are the dirtiest rat fighters ever to get on our political scene. I bet they'd make Nixon look like an altar boy if all truth was known.

[nodictators]

21. A few weeks ago, PNACer David Brooks said that something...

...would happen in October that would decide the presidential election.

His remarks were on the PBS NewsHour in his weekly Friday session with Mark Shields.

Something is up!

[Soloflecks]

34. I think this may be the link.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/political_wrap/jan-june04/sb_04-16.html

DAVID BROOKS: I think it's a good possibility. My theory about this election right now today is that the people who are paying attention have made up their minds and the people who are undecided are not yet paying attention. It's like in the primary season where the polls were floating around for a long time and the last three weeks, the undecideds finally started paying attention and the polls moved radically in one direction or another.

So I think it is quite possible that something happened in Iraq in October that will be either good or bad for the United States and that event will provoke a sharp swing in the polls. So it is sort of a last minute thing, depending on what happens now.

[struggle4progress]

61. Brooks has been part of the wingnut chorus for a while now ...

So when he said this on the News Hour, I figured it was the official line. The article at the top of this thread reinforces that view.

They're floating their trial balloons folks. No terrorist attacks other than 9/11 but they're sure something's going to happen right before the election? If it does, it's MIHOP for sure.

[Az_lefty]

23. They don't need to attack here to influence the election...

just cause another uprising in Falujah or Najaf and the shrubs numbers will drop again.

[Barrett808]

25. Jebbie: "People of SF are an endangered species"

That's where I'd put my money. In October.

[Shopaholic]

27. Remember--how low Shrub's approval was prior to 9/11

It worked for him once, I guess they think that will cinch the election for them once again.

[struggle4progress]

91. Nuke SF and blame it on North Korea? eom

[cestmoi]

26. MOORE SHOULD AIR THIS ARTICLE BEFORE SCREENING

his movie just to get the word out that Bushies are contemplating how terror attacks would benefit their cause.

[bullimiami]

28. I think its lose - lose for Bushco.

If there is no attack they have to stand for all of the other failures.
If there is an attack then its obvious they cant handle domestic terrorism threats either.

[kymar57]

31. My thoughts exactly

But I'm a little concerned about the whole "martial law,cancel the election scenario".

[yardwork]

85. I agree with you

and welcome to DU!

The Bushies are overlooking a crucial factor - the Republicans in Congress, who are cutting and running like rats abandoning a sinking ship. They won't play ball with this scenario. They want to cover their own butts and get reelected, and they are perfectly willing to let the Chimp go down alone if that's what it takes.

[wryter2000]

30. Scared

"I can tell you one thing," adds the official sternly, "we won't be like Spain,"

Oh, Lordy. What are they going to do to my country?

[TrogL]

32. They're trying to scare people with the "Spanish scenario"

which never happened.

Spain's populace swung liberal long before the Spanish elections.

Details at the Daily Howler

[kysrsoze]

75. If they are already trying to prevent it, that will be a HUGE fuckup

I hope we get the House and Senate back too. However, I'm still freaked about the possibility of BushCo declaring martial law and cancelling the elections. They're not gonna play fair if they know they're going to lose.

[Dover]

33. What Terrorists in their right mind would take the chance on Bush being

re-elected? No, if the Terrorists wanted to effect the outcome of the election they would target Bush/Cheney directly and/or do something to force economic problems PRIOR to the election.

If we have an attack on Congress or anything like that then you can be sure who's behind it. They've been itching to put their secret government into action for some time...and quite frankly it is the ONLY way the neocons would stay in power.

What We The People ought to be doing is figuring out our OWN scenario should the latter scenario happen.

[nadinbrzezinski]

46. Al Qaida

this is who wants Bush for four more years.

Remember, when the Wingers vote for Bush, they vote for Al Qaida's man.

I ain't shiting you, they have actually endorsed Bush

[leetrisck]

53. I agree with you - bin laden is a happy man - bush

has done everything (& will continue to do so) that bin laden hoped for - he certainly does want him back and for that reason I think something will happen.

[Just Me]

62. Does anyone remember that "McPheera McDoom" article? n/t

[Emillereid]

35. What do they know? What are they planning?

These people are ruthless and beneath contempt!

[VolcanoJen]

36. I'm not afraid anymore.

First of all, even if they are so devious and sickening as to orchestrate something like this themselves, they'll blow it somehow. These people are arrogant idiots, and they just don't have the finesse to pull it off. Everything they touch turns to shit.

Even if the attacks really do occur, wouldn't most Americans be apt to blame Bush for not protecting them from something they were warning about in May? If they "know it's going to happen," then they damn sure ought to be able to figure out a way to prevent it from happening. You can bet that I'll be screaming "WHY DIDN'T YOU STOP THIS?" at the top of my lungs, should that day come.

I'm not afraid of them anymore. They're really not as good at this black helicopter stuff as I used to think they were.

[KittyWampus]

51. Exactly VJ! A Lot Of The CIA Is No Longer With Them

and look how fucked up the Berg murder was... so lame it's pathetic.

[Just Me]

65. Yup. They're being cornered like the rats they are by the "good" guys!!!

They may be able to put their neocon groupies in places of authority,...but, they simply are outnumbered,...and I am confident that they will be out-played!!!!

[crossroads]

54. Riiight. They could F*** up a wet dream!

:wtf:

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

37. Operation Marie Antoinette/Berg and Operation Jumping Jack Flash/Sarin

have failed to yield the desired results in polling and propaganda. Proceed with Operation Guy Fawkes as previously directed.

[FighttheFuture]

38. Also in this DU discussion...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=1616160

[JoFerret]

40. October surprises through the summer

Let's play them out. Always with the view that we are ready for any ReThug BS; and Kerry and the Democrats can keep us safer in the event of real threats and attacks. Prepare people.

[Zhade]

41. We must warn people of the possibility.

I've ceased worrying about looking paranoid - after these past three years, it's warranted. That, and I've got a track record of being right on these things now (sadly - I wish I'd been wrong every time).

I emailed this to everyone on my list. I'd advise everyone to do the same. Only by warning beforehand can it be prevented, or, barring that, seen for what it is: a plot to stay in power.

Email your peeps!

[leftchick]

42. "an attack will happen leading up to the election."

And, he added, "it will happen here."

...These assholes aren't screwing around! omg, add the DRE voting machines.... :scared:

[truthisfreedom]

43. "tossed its government"??? ok bushco, listen and listen good. YOU ARE

ALREADY ON THE WAY OUT, YOU DINOSAURS. and we aren't TOSSING our government. John Kerry is ALREADY in government. we're just moving him to a more effective position.

[xfundy]

47. Think it through a little further: NYC

...during the puke convention. For a sympathy vote. Then they can spread blame among any number of "'Murrica haters," be they Quaeda, libruls, non-religious, etc., then declare martial law to "protect" the nation.

In any event, I'm betting they'll pull the plug on saint Reagan regardless.

[TahitiNut]

48. "Now we have a sense of order."?? (Alles in Ordnung? New World Order?)

"I can tell you one thing," ... Oh, really? What CAN'T you tell? Just what 'safeguards' are in place to prevent voters from removing DimSon?

Sounds like the firm fist of totalitariansim to me. :shrug: (I think I'll clean and oil my shotgun. Maybe buy another one.)

[Gingersnapsback]

92. I wouldn't be suprised if they postpone the election because of a

national emergency. I have said this for months.

[robbedvoter]

49. I thought the Pa plane was meant for the WH! Wasn't W in danger?

Him, his plane, his phones, him, him, him - hid in bunkers & spent 3 days justifying ; "I was too threatened"

The first posits an attack on Washington, possibly the Capitol, which was believed to be the target of the 9/11 jet that crashed in Pennsylvania .

[BonjourUSA]

50. Spain didn't toss its govt because the train bombing but

because Aznar lied and accused ETA without evidences. He continued to lie even when the AQ involvement became clear

[Emboldened Chimp]

52. This was said by a TOP ADMINISTRATION OFFICIAL

There aren't many of those around. We can safely assume it was Cheney, Rice, or Rove.

[colonel odis]

55. what they're basically doing is threatening us.

same as when condi said a few weeks ago that she believed there could be an attack before the election.

so now it' s not enough to scare us into voting for the bastard. let's just tell everyone we're going to blow up a few cities just before the election.

wonder if the internet will be affected? hmmmm......

[stepnw1f]

58. Exactly What I Was Thinking

What a perverted and sick statement to make by a government official before an election. To incite fear, is to cause reaction. What type of reaction should we hold her and this administration accountable for. There's too much. I want these criminals out now!

[Bridget Burke]

63. "We have nothing to fear but fear itself"

That's how a statesman speaks.

What a bunch of cheap-ass crooks we've got in charge now.

[liberalron]

64. Gen. Franks Doubts Constitution Will Survive WMD Attack

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2003/11/20/185048.shtml

[liberalron]

66. Or these...........

http://www.dissidentvoice.org/Articles5/Taplin_Corporatism.htm

http://www.worldfuturefund.org/wffmaster/Reading/Germany/mussolini.htm

http://www.financialsense.com/editorials/hultberg/2003/0527.htm

[yardwork]

88. Read what Franks says about Chimpy during the same interview....

Franks offered his assessment on a number of topics to Cigar Aficionado, including:

President Bush: “As I look at President Bush, I think he will ultimately be judged as a man of extremely high character. A very thoughtful man, not having been appraised properly by those who would say he’s not very smart. I find the contrary. I think he’s very, very bright. And I suspect that he’ll be judged as a man who led this country through a crease in history effectively. Probably we’ll think of him in years to come as an American hero.”

Wrong, Tommy. You are wrong on W, and wrong about the Constitution, and wrong about the way that Americans will respond to a crisis.

It was the Chimp administration's idea to impose their attempts on martial law on the country following 9/11. There was no popular uprising against the Constitution.

This is all wishful thinking on their part because they know that they are going down and they can't figure out why and how they failed.

[opihimoimoi]

67. Rally round the Flag Boys is for normal times. This President has proven

he is not the Leader to "Rally 'Round", him being dim and all.

So the attrack may come and may not...don't matter. Bush will gain
only a trifle as most Americans know him as a flip flopper and a liar. Bush has very little credibility and respect left. He has used them up and now people are wary of him.

Most Americans have come to know him as a LOSER.

[grasswire]

69. the way to stop this right now....

...is this.

Send out some Democrats to deny that Democrat fringe elements could initiate attacks in order to sway the election. Get top-ranking Democrats to make a fuss about appointing a committee to look into allegations that LEFTIES plan some violence.

Get out in front of this without EVER being accused of partisanship.

Open the door to the public making the leap to the possibility of Bush-supported attacks.

Think Strategy, Dems, for once!

[Beetwasher]

70. "I can tell you one thing," adds the official sternly, "we won't be like

Spain," which tossed its government days after the Madrid train bombings.

Mother fuckers. Just try it...

[peacetalksforall]

71. They must think that our defenses aren't good enough to prevent a

terrorist attack in our own country after all the investments in organization studies and money to correct the wrongs of 9-11. I don't get it - they are demonstrating lack of confidence in what they say they did. That's the way I see it.

[Eloriel]

72. The only way I can think of for Kerry to innoculate himself

is to start NOW by talking up the lack of planning and money spent on "Homeland Defense," and (subtly) that if there are more terrorist attacks, it will be because Bush and the administration didn't get it right.

He could also talk about the probable backlash from our Iraq misadventure -- only in his case he'd have to talk about the mishandling of the misadventure unless he finally decided to do the right thing and apologize for his vote, which is unlikely.

But he MUST start NOW. Make it part of every single speech, every appearance. Make it part of every interview and especially every time he's on TV.

[JoFerret]

73. Did he jump?

...or was he pushed?

[Minstrel Boy]

77. They're playing politics with an attack that hasn't happened yet!

They are unconscionable, shameless, traitorous bastards.

[Virginian]

78. My guess is .... The White House.

Bush doesn't seem to like the White House. He takes every opportunity he gets to sleep some place other than the White House. He told us the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania was headed for the White House. (Others said the Capitol.) My guess is that the White House will be rendered unsafe for the President to live in by the October terrorist attack.
This makes it easy for Bush to get away from the press by staying in Crawford. He is sequestered from any one knowing who he is meeting or what he is doing. He can spend the day goofing off and not have to account for it.
It also makes it so that the new president doesn't have an official residence to move into.
So, the Bush II term of office will be the deadliest in the history of the country with two terrorist attacks within just over three years of one another. Sorta makes ya feel warm and secure doesn't it. (sarcasm)
Safe? this man can't keep us safe. Let's get someone who can.

[Virginian]

83. The WW Bridge would cause more inconvenience.

If they took out the WW Bridge it would cripple transportation up and down the eastern seaboard as well as mangle Washington's rush hour traffic. Metro Washington doesn't have enough bridges across the Potomac to handle the traffic it has now, much less to absorb the Rt 95 traffic if terrorists took away that artery. The existing bridge is being rebuilt at double the capacity. That isn't the answer. That just means a person threatening to jump can inconvenience twice as many motorists.
One part of the solution would be to build a separate bypass around the DC traffic.
Count the bridges in Richmond and then count the bridges in Washington. Richmond has more bridges, Washington has more traffic.

If we're going to be attacked, we need the homeland security team from the Coast Guard and our National Guardsmen back here to help us. Send 'em home. We will need them here in October.

[Th1onein]

79. Oh yeah, we WILL be like Spain!

Spain didn't toss their government days after the terrorist attack. They were sick of their government long before that, and the terrorists attack merely cemented their resolve.

Bush is out, and a terrorist attack will merely make that more likely.

[lostnfound]

90. But no way can Kerry be compared to Zapatero...

especially with regards to economy & military.

[bacchant]

81. If they let another one happen it could work for them

The idiotic title of Perle's silly book "An end to evil" is what they're selling, and they hope to frighten Americans into buying. A lot of our less discerning, less curious, brethren don’t have clue about the realities of 911. They really believe Islam is coming to get us and won’t stop until everyone is converted or killed. All it would take is another devastating attack on the US for these people to completely abandon their constitutional rights and embrace the neocon madness out of pure fear.

[DemonFighterLives]

82. You're right

Around half of the people think this no-mind walks on water. Any attack can easily be blamed on whoever they want.
I don't have the answer, but if Kerry would get out there and do something, we'd have a better chance. It is time to write some letters to alert the dems.

[Danieljay]

89. This is effing unbelievable...

has this country really come to this? Will someone please wake me up from this nightmare?

[robertpaulsen]

93. Morning kick