Bush: "I don't think the V.P.'s service is relevant in this debate"

Bush Discusses Murtha and Says Progress in Iraq is 'Amazing'

By E&P Staff

Published: November 20, 2005 9:30 PM ET

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001525269

Question (from a reporter named Suzanne): If I could follow up on your comments on Congressman Murtha. You said that he was a fine man and that he probably made this in a thoughtful manner. Congressman Murtha has also used the fact that neither you, nor the Vice President, has served in combat as part of his criticism of Iraq policy, as well as the administration's campaign to defend it. Do you believe that that is relevant to the debate? And is there any concern that the attacks on either side are becoming overly personal?

THE PRESIDENT: I don't think the Vice President's service is relevant in this debate. And I would hope all of us in this debate talk about the policy and have an honest, open debate about whether or not it makes sense to immediately withdraw our troops. My position is very clear: It does not make sense. It will make America less secure. Iraq is a battlefront in the war on terror, and it's vital that we succeed in this particular battle in the war on terror.

And our strategy is proceeding. There's a political strategy, and as I said the other day, I said a couple of times, the progress in Iraq is amazing when you think -- the political progress. I mean, they've gone from tyranny to the election of a transitional national government, to the ratification of a constitution. And they're about to have elections again. And all this took place in two-and-a-half years. When you compare it to our own history, our road was quite bumpy getting to a constitution. And so the progress is strong.

The other progress that's being made is the training of the Iraqi forces. And more and more of the forces are more capable of taking the fight to the enemy. And as that happens, and as our commanders on the ground inform me that Iraq's security can be maintained by Iraqi troops, we will adjust accordingly.

"Look, it's Genghis Con!"

:-)

making me laugh this hard at the end of the work day. Great stuff.

Hence forth, * shall be known as "Ghengis Con."

Edited to note that you know he was dying inside to try on those Mongolian Warrior outfits. We know how much he loves to play dress up!

much of my father.

That impies that he actually served.

If you had "other priorities" and didn't serve, what "service" isn't relevant?

:shrug:

coming from Bush, I think that's an appropriate assessment of the level of Cheney's dedication to this country.

It's HARD WORK getting five draft deferments.

"Iraq is a battlefront in the war on terror..."

Oh really?

I thought we were there to liberate the Iraqis and spread our lovin' freedom 'cross the land.

Iraq wasn't a "battlefront" when we initially went in to "free the Iraqi people."

Now it's a battlefront.

Guess who made it a "battlefront."

Turning a nation--ruled by a dictator--into a battlefront where more than 15,000 citizens are trying to kill you----doesn't sound like much of a success to me.

Does this man even analyze his own words, or take ANY time to ponder the complete disaster that he has created?

And by the way---Junior can organize all of the "symbolic" PR stunts he wants--elections, primary elections, drafting of Constitution, etc. They don't matter. Those staged, pageantry events mean zilch. They are happening against a backdrop of fear, violence, death, terror and total discombobulation--as we watch this country crumble to the ground. Events mean nothing to people who can't even leave their homes to shop at the market--because they are worried about being shot.

The Last Samurai

So just go to Iraq and tell those people YOU decided to use their country to attract terrorism so you could start killin' cullah-ed people. THAT'S your plan to win hearts and minds? Dumbass.

There was no service to be relevant.

What's relevant is the V.P.'s, and the Prez's, lack of service, combined with their chickenhawk policies.

When do I get to milk them there horsies?"

:spray: :rofl:

OK, I just spit coffee all over my keyboard.

Sometimes it IS a matter of semantics, especially when coming form the mouths oif BushCo. Shouldn't he have said, "The VP's *lack* of service" or his "non-service" or "his multiple deferments"? The way Bush presented it was as if there was some service to be debated -- which there is not. Just the absence of service.

Bill Clinton would have been shown speaking with those guys in the photograph, and would have been able to deliver a dissertation on their culture, their horses, their garb, daily routines, and connection to the rest of interdependant global society. He would look like he had been there many times before, and have a few pithy quips for the Mongolian press corps to get their teeth into.

Bush the Lesser... "Expense of spirit in a waste of shame..."

Regarding the post: Everyone knows - I guarantee Cheney's numbers go down every time he speaks from now on - he now has achieved the exalted state of "anti-credibility" - if he says it, it must be untrue.

in the photo

"The terrorists want to control the oil. Our way of life will be at risk". George W. Bush (Nov. 2005)

uh huh

What happened to "you're either with us or with the terrorists," or "bring 'em on," Chimpy? Don't go limp in the middle of this screw job, pally. Your base, the blood-thirsty, crazed militarists, won't like it if you suddenly start sounding all sappy and nation building.

Re >>I don't think the Vice President's service is relevant in this debate.<<

It damn well *IS* relevant, Shrub, especially when the attack dogs on YOUR side try to paint Murtha as a "cut-and-run" coward. So you can dish it out but you can't take it, huh?

They are so hypocritical it is unbelievable. And after what they did to Senator Cleland and to John Kerry, I am so glad the 5 deferrments are being talked about. I would guess most people didn't know about that, but they know now.

Have no right to lecture anyone on backbone.