Bush in 2004 on Iraq (and I quote) - "I don't think you can win it".

[shance]

Just received this information via email. I believe its from Dailykos.com.

Regarding Gov Dean's statements that we cannot win in
Iraq, none other than President Bush himself said
virtually the same last year before the election while
talking about conservatives' War on Terror.

Remember that August 31, 2004 NBC Today Show interview
between Bush and Matt Lauer?

"I don't think you can win it," Mr. Bush replied. "But
I think you can create conditions so that those who
use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of
the world."

Bush Cites Doubt America Can Win War on Terror
By ELISABETH BUMILLER
New York Times
Published: August 31, 2004
http://tinyurl.com/at5gp

[RobertSeattle]

1. That's a good one

I remember when that happened - Bush speaking off script - accidentally speaks the truth.

Wouldn't it be great is some Russert would use that to "trap" one of his guests?

Here's was a politicians said back in 2004, <quote>, what is your response to that?

[Mugsy]

41. Just days after they slammed Kerry

If I remember correctly, Georgie said that just days after they blasted Kerry for his "reduce terrorism to a nuisance" remark.

[SammyWinstonJack]

2. We're not suppose to remember that Pinhead** said that.

Wouldn't this make him a FLIP FLOPPER? :dilemma:

[shance]

3. Why, I believe you are correct.

Amazing how that works.

[SammyWinstonJack]

5. It always works for repugs. nt

[rosesaylavee]

4. Thanks for reminding me of this - good

ammunition for the occasional RWinger spouting how negative us Liberals are...

Kicked, nominated. :kick:

[MidwestTransplant]

6. Can't blame him, he was only repeating what he was hearing in his earpiece

[shance]

9. And all this time I thought the ear piece was a bad thing.

:)

[SIU_Blue]

7. it's sad that we need to drag this up

because the mainstream media who's job it is to find this stuff is too busy kissing Bush's ass.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. And cashing their paychecks and getting massages at swanky

spas, right Wolfie? :puke:

[Hissyspit]

8. I remember it well. Good time to remind Americans. Email to Olbermann.

Someone. Don't have the address handy.

[shance]

11. Good point. Anyone have the address handy?

n/t

[TomInTib]

14. send it to Blitzer and Matthews as well

[PegDAC]

51. Olbermann's e-mail

address is [email protected]

:)

[fooj]

12. I remember when Little Lord Pissypants said this...

Thanks for posting it.

Peace.

[Boo Boo]

13. "...virtually the same..."

That's your first clue that he didn't say we couldn't win in Iraq. He said he doesn't think you can "win" the WOT---that's a far different statement, and, in my book, is not "virtually the same" thing at all.

Bottom line: Bush didn't say what Dean said.

Nice try.

[Mr Rabble]

16. Not according to * himself.

Iraq is the central from on the WOT, right? Well, if you cant win the WOT, then you cant win in Iraq, right?

Now don't try to tell me that * thinks that the WOT is different that the war in Iraq...

If * wants to claim that there is no difference- which he does all the time- then he has to own it.

[bluedawg12]

15. Then he distanced himself from it and did not defend it. n/t

[Harper_is_Bush]

17. He was talking about terrorism, not Iraq.

Although he always marries the two, to be fair it was terrorism specifically the comment was in reference to.

[JaneQPublic]

23. He can't have it both ways.

He can't keep trumpeting the Iraq War as part of the War on Terrorism, and then explain away his comment by saying he was only talking about terrorism not the Iraq War.

Actually, I hope he does make this claim... and I hope the Democrats jump on him with both feet.

[No Exit]

33. "To be fair", it depends on what the meaning of "terror" is

If "terror" means jets slamming into tall buildings, then I guess we can't win it, 'cause the prethident says we can't win it. If "terror" means what the TERRORISTS we're fighting in Iraq are doing, I guess we can win it, because Howard Dean says we can't, and everyone knows everything Howard Dean says is wrong because he screamed in a funny way on TV once.

--"Fair, balanced, and unafraid"


Hey... HEY! Hey, wait a minute!!!! The Prethident said we CAN'T WIN THE WAR ON TERROR???!!!?!?! OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE BLOWN UP INTO ITTY-BITTY PIECES AND WE'LL BE SPEAKING ARABIC AND ALL THE WOMEN WILL HAVE TO WEAR BURKAS!!!!!!!!!!

[AntiFascist]

18. The president's words are prophetic....

We are less acceptable in parts of the world.

[MellowOne]

19. Republicans need to be reminded about this statement

Dean's statement is all over the place, people saying he's anti-American.

[Higans]

21. Bush Doesn't want to win the war on terror

Bush wants a continuing war so that companies that make money off of all Thease wars can continue to rape the Earth's Population. Halliburton, Lockheed, not to mention oil companies. With out War these companies would have no reason to exist. Bush says he doesn't think the war can end because he will keep it going at all cost. A constant perpetual state of war is exactly what he wants. If we the people should ever lose interest in killing our fellow humans again, he will simply ask his Buddy Binladin to stage another 911 attack. or possibly worse. I have come to the point where I think any terror attack should be blamed on Bush co. After all they are the ones who profit from it. Otherwise all of us peace loving humans might take over. that would be horrible for their weapons engineers and manufacturers. They might have to actually do something that would benefit the Human race. Oh No, can't have that.

[slor]

20. Oh, and look who wrote the article...

lil' miss "He reads the newspapers"...please believe me!, herself!

[Joey Liberal]

22. Dean is right, we cannot win in Iraq

Not with the AWOL wonderboy in the White House.

[NoGOP]

24. Just because he can't remember

anything longer than 6 months ago he assumes nobody else can.

[mark414]

25. why is this on the front page?

he wasn't talking about iraq in that interview. yes, as someone noted above he marries the two together but he was specifically talking about the "broader" war on terror

[gristy]

26. The one thing that Bush and Dean agree on

The one thing that everyone agrees on, whether they admit it or not. It's the big, pink elephant in the room.

[culturalelite]

27. a point of logic

Even on the assumption that the war in Iraq is a part of the war on terror, it is perfectly consistent to claim that we can't win the war on terror, but we can win the war in Iraq.

[ACROSOc101]

28. Bush Quote

AP) President Bush said Tuesday "we will win" the war on terror, seeking to quell controversy and Democratic criticism over his earlier remark that victory may not be possible.

In a speech to the national convention of the American Legion, Mr. Bush said, "We meet today in a time of war for our country, a war we did not start, yet one that we will win.

That statement differed from Mr. Bush's earlier comment, aired Monday in a pre-taped television interview, that "I don't think you can win" the war on terror. That had Democrats running for the cameras to criticize him for being defeatist and flip-flopping from previous predictions of victory.
---------------------------------------------


Bush said We couldn't win the war on terror

Dean said We couldn't win the war in Iraq.

This post was slightly misleading.

[Erika]

29. Who is our enemy in Iraq? They are terrorists

And W in his incompetence is creating more every day.

[Trevelyan]

30. our presence has turned Iraq into a haven and recruiting ground for terror

http://americablog.blogspot.com/2005/11/us-increasing-troops-in-iraq-again.html

"US increasing troops in Iraq again
by Chris in Paris - 11/01/2005 02:07:00 AM

First it was for the January elections. Then we heard about the vote for the constitution that isn't really much of a constitution and now the next critical step, they say, is the December elections for parliament. Not that we should feel strung along or anything but when does it all end? There always is a good excuse (or lie) about why the US had to invade, then keep holding on and on and on. For this latest "critical" vote, the US is increasing troop strength leading up to the election...It's a never ending, self made problem by Bush and his GOP cronies and it's average Americans who are once again stuck with cleaning up his mess."

~Work with Congress to end the war in Iraq

For more than two years, the American people have been waiting to hear your plan for completing the mission in Iraq. So far, that plan has not materialized. That's why I urge you to immediately begin working in a bipartisan manner with Congress to lay out a strategy for ending the war in Iraq and bringing our troops home.

Far from making us safer from terrorists, our presence has turned Iraq into a haven and recruiting ground for terrorists, while deflecting our attention and resources away from the global fight against terrorism.

The war in Iraq has plunged America into debt more deeply than anyone could have imagined just four years ago, leaving our homeland tragically unprepared to respond to a major disaster like Hurricane Katrina while health care, education, and retirement programs are woefully under funded. The war in Iraq has also isolated America from our allies while causing immense damage to our relations with the world's Muslims, a religion practiced by more than 1.2 billion people around the world. How can we possibly mount an effective campaign against terrorism without the trust, respect, and cooperation of Muslims?

It is time -- in fact, it is past time -- to stop going it alone in Iraq. As a policy, more of the same clearly isn't working. Enough is enough. I urge you to sit down with Congress -- the people's elected representatives -- and hammer out a plan for completing the mission in Iraq.

==
President Bush, Let's Talk
The Bush Administration's war in Iraq has been a costly disaster for our country. After more than 2 1/2 years, hundreds of billions of dollars, and scores of casualties, where are we now?

Time and time again, my Senate colleagues and I have called on the President to lay out his plan for completing the mission in Iraq. Instead, all we get is more rhetoric and platitudes that conflict with the first-hand accounts we hear and the facts we plainly see.It is time -- in fact, it is past time -- for this President to stop going it alone in Iraq. As a policy, more of the same clearly isn't working. Enough is enough. It's time for President Bush to sit down with Congress -- the people's elected representatives -- to hammer out a plan for completing the mission in Iraq.

Tell President Bush to begin working with Congress TODAY so we can work to end the war in Iraq.
http://ga3.org/campaign/iraqplan/wkn766erq5tmtwk?/

=That's why I'm urging President Bush to sit down with Congressional leaders -- Republicans and Democrats, members of the House and Senate -- to devise a strategy for completing the mission.

How many more American lives do we have to lose? How many more billions of dollars do we have to spend? We can't afford to wait any longer. Tell President Bush to meet with Congress and develop a plan for ending the war in Iraq TODAY.
Thank you so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Patrick Leahy
U.S. Senator

P.S. Please take just a few minutes to send an email to President Bush. Then stay tuned for more updates on the war in Iraq and other critical issues from my new Green Mountain PAC -- an organization that will join us together to fight for the issues that will put America back on the right track, while electing Democratic candidates at all levels of government to get us there. ~Tell us what you think: http://www.epic-usa.org Education for Peace in Iraq Center

[No Exit]

35. BWAAAAAAAHAHAHA!!!

"Point of logic!" Yeah! These "mommy party" liberals have trouble with "logic"! Better get dad in here!

It is perfectly consistent! Do you hear me??? I said PERFECTLY CONSISTENT! Now you go to your room!!!

We can't win the war on terror. The Prethident says so. We can win the war in Iraq. Howard Dean says no, so that must mean we CAN, because everybody knows Howard Dean is always wrong because he screamed funny once on TV.

Okay, so now our problem is, once we've won in Iraq, how are we gonna keep the damn terrorists from doing terror there and everywhere else, dammit?

'Cause even after our big win, they'll still be around, 'cause the Prethident says we can't win the war on terror. Oh, well. I guess once we've created peace in Iraq, we can always fight them here so we don't have to fight 'em over there.

[Vinca]

31. It's at this point the Democrats need to fire up the emails and

fax machines and send out talking points a la Republicans. Each and every one should parrot Shrub's statement during the course of the day.

[stop the bleeding]

32. Up is down and wrong is right - another great find! K&R - George Orwell

we need you.

[No Exit]

34. Cowards cut and run, Mr. Prethident

Texas Air National Guard members never do.

Except when they have to fight democrats in Alabama and help real great guys like Daddy's friend Red Blount get elected to the senate. (Footnote: Blount lost. Mission Unaccomplished.)

[No Exit]

36. OH MY GOD THE PRESIDENT SAYS WE CAN'T WIN THE WAR ON TERROR

OH MY GOD WE'RE ALL GOING TO BE BLOWN UP INTO ITTY BITTY PIECES AND OUR WAY OF LIFE WILL BE DESTROYED FOREVER AND PEOPLE WILL GET TORTURED AND HAVE THEIR HANDS CUT OFF FOR STUFF LIKE STEALING AND WE'LL HAVE TO RIDE CAMELS INSTEAD OF SUVS AND THE WOMEN WILL ALL HAVE TO WEAR BURKAS SO GUYS WON'T EVER BE ABLE TO SEE STRANGE WOMEN'S CLEAVAGE EVER AGAIN AND WE CAN'T HAVE TALL BUILDINGS AND NO ONE WILL EVER BE ABLE TO GAMBLE OR BORROW MONEY OR HAVE SOME STRANGE IN A LOBBYIST'S "HOSPITALITY SUITE" EVER AGAIN AND WE'LL ALL BE SPEAKING ARABIC AND CHILDREN WILL HAVE TO GO TO VACATION KORAN SCHOOL INSTEAD OF VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL!!!

JESUS IS CRYING!!!

[sinkingfeeling]

37. Well, he's done another flip-flop. Today it's "I know we're going to win."

President Bush on Tuesday added his voice to Republican criticism of Howard Dean's statement that the United States cannot win the war in Iraq.

"I know we're going to win," Bush told reporters at the White House. "Our troops need to hear not only are they supported, but that we have got a strategy that will win."

http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/12/06/dean.iraq/index.html

[Catherine Vincent]

38. Malloy played this last night on his show.

So I guess that Michael Reagan idiot would like Bush to be hung too? What a bunch of idiots!

[Bandit]

39. Didn't they attempt to change the name about that time as well?

I can't remember what bs they used as a substitute but it didn't go over and in fact it was Bush* himself that refused to use the new term..

[kentuck]

40. I remember that !

Thanks! Recommended for those that might have forgotten...

[MrBenchley]

42. Well, THERE's an ace to draw to!

It's great to have a DNC chairman who's nearly as stumble-tongued and full of verbal blunders as pResident Duh! </sarcasm>

[Oilwellian]

43. Bush just now said....

in his speech to the Council of Foreign Relations, that Iraq is the central front to the war on terror. Now if he said earlier, we can't win the war on terror, how is it we can win the war in Iraq? It makes no sense for those who claim Bush was talking about something different than Dean.

I have an even larger question though. If indeed Iraq is the "central front to the war on terror" and fighting it is key to our national security, how is it we plan on handing that responsibility over to an Iraqi army that we have very little confidence in?

[old blue]

44. The political discourse in this era is reduced to a game of "Gotcha!"

And we're all the worse for it.

[cross_democrat]

45. Vote for liberal at conservative weblog awards

Wanna do a good deed for a good liberal and piss off the republicans? Go to the conservative sponsored Weblog Awards and vote for the Yellow Dog Blog for best new blog.

http://weblogawards.org/2005/12/best_new_blog_established_afte.php

He doesn't seem to care about the award (he's my cousin) but the repukes he's competing with are totally trashing him on their blogs and he's still winning!

Thanks.

Colt

[lebkuchen]

46. August 31, 2004 headline in Stars and Stripes:

BUSH: TERROR WAR MUST BE FOUGHT EVEN IF UNWINNABLE
(Deb Riechmann, AP)

[Einstein99]

47. We need a bumper sticker that says

"I don't think you can win it."
George W. Bush on the "War on Terror"

[mattclearing]

48. That was the war on terror, not Iraq.

Despite their attempts to link the two, he knows that they are not the same thing, and so should we.

[shance]

50. War on Terror = War on Iraq, War on Iraq = War on Terror

War on Communism = War on Terrorism

and on and on and on.....

[Don_1967]

49. BUSH

is this the first time anybody has told Bush the truth about Iraq? He seemed like this was the first time anybody had told him what a mess things are in Iraq!!