Did Bush oppose Homeland Security for a year after 9/11?

[coloradodem2005]

I heard a DNC commercial on the radio for Kerry. I knew the Bush opposed it at some point. But if he did, why was he talking about the establishment of the office on his September 20 speech. Announcing that Tom Ridge would head it up. I am confused on this one.

[robcon]

1. It was proposed by Joe Lieberman soon after 9/11.

Bush opposed it for some time, then relented.

[Tempest]

2. Just one of many Bush flip-flops

www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A55870-2004Jul16?language=printer

[chuck555]

3. Bush is a landed fish.

Flip,Flop,Flip,Flop. He is just that dumb.

[Selwynn]

4. Yes.

[wishlist]

5. Bush initially just wanted a director, not a whole department of HS

It is my understanding that Bush initially just supported having a position of director of Homeland Security, but not a full cabinet level department of HS. Then when political pressure was on him to create a whole new department coordinating HS, Bushco insisted that the personnnel (taken from other agencies to make up the new department) lose their traditional civil service protections so that Bushco would be free to hire and fire at will in this new department. This created conflict and delay in implementation since Dems like Kerry opposed Bush's proposal which would allow politicizing personnel.

Bush has already tried to misrepresent Kerry's position on this by claiming that Kerry opposed the HS department, when in fact Kerry's opposition was to the Bush version where personnel would no longer be under the traditional civil service that protects employees from political influence.

[CarolynEC]

6. Just one example of Bush trying to cash in on 9/11

"America is brutally attacked... the nation is in mourning... hey, I just remembered I hate unions!"

What an ass.