Dubya's statement about "can't win the war on terror" is a trap.....

[kentuck]

Of course, the war on terror cannot be won. But the war on terrorists can be won. Terrorism is something else altogether.

But it's a trap for farther down the road. Are Democrats going to adopt the Bush policy and try to win the "war on terror"? Then Repubs turn around and say, "Dubya said we could not win the war on terror"?These are treacherous waters. Yes, Bush has flip-flopped again but I'm not sure this is a war we want to claim as our own. This is Bush's debacle and the Repubs cross to bear. I do not feel like carrying it anymore and they can have the thorns also...

[bryant69]

1. It is tricky

I do hope that Kerry phases out talk of a "war on terror" but obviously I do hope and know that he will be vigilant at protecting us from those who would hurt us.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[LuminousX]

12. I agree... stop using that phrase

and start addressing actual targets.

War against Al Qaeda and Al Queda aligned groups.

[cheezus]

2. It's a Trap!

[SheepyMcSheepster]

5. exactly what i was thinking!

:D

[ima_sinnic]

3. it's also a trap in that it gives him license for unlimited warfare

...we know we can't "win" but it's a battle--er, war--that must be fought, nevertheless (is how he can now put it)--"containment" or "control" or "management" or some such can now be the goal.

[speedoo]

4. I disagree.

1. dumbya made the comment in a very unguarded moment, IMO. It did not appear to me to be at all scripted.

2. Even if it is a trap (and I don't believe it is for a minute), Kerry has already staked out his ground on this. He has said he can fight the WOT better than dumbya can. Kerry really has no choice.

[No Mandate Here.]

8. I respectfully diasagree...

I didn't actually see the interview, but when NPR described it this morning, they said that the interview was taped, and NOT broadcast live.

I don't think NBC would have put it on the air if * regretted saying this- they would never have broadcast it if it were not approved by unKKKle Karl Rove.

But--- it IS another of *'s flip flops. I wonder if there is another flipper costume for rent?

[hatrack]

6. Bush has to pump up the terror threat

Since "Mission Accomplished" has no further utility, he's now talking about the difficulties of an ongoing fight, the better to remind us all that he's the commander-in-chief during this difficult struggle, and it would be a grave error to switch horses in the middle of . . . blahblahblah.

[K8-EEE]

7. It's A Flip Flop!!

he has said a zillion times that "nothing less that total victory" yada yada. He is trying to claim the Clinton strategy of containment as his own which is a total JOKE seeing what a mess he's made!

[kentuck]

9. And now he's looking for a way to squeeze out "honorably"...

if he is elected in November...However, if John Kerry wins, he will be a failure at the "war on terror" because terror is a mindset that cannot be defeated. It is a "trap" in that sense - not necessarily one that Bush has planned - but a trap nonetheless.

[Cocoa]

10. it was a gaffe

but the media will call it a "quip" if they mention it at all.

[rogerashton]

11. Pessimism never did anything to secure American security.

n/t

[kentuck]

13. We are talking about thousands of more lost lives...

If we adopt Bush's war on terror. Are we really ready for that? We must be careful about this issue. I remember Viet Nam.

[markus]

14. A Permanent Patriot Act

Hey, you're missing one of the best parts of this.

We have always been at war with Eurasia.

[maine_raptor]

15. No Trap.....BIG EFF"ING FLIP_FLOP!!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of the top issues of this campaign IS the "War on Terror". Bush has just said, and on tape I might add, that he cannot win the war.

Now imagine a Kerry Ad:

Tape of ANY Bush speech where he says "We're winng the War on Terror". (Hell he prob'ly said it during a State of the Union speech)

cut to tape of Bush's "can't win statement"

Voice over by Kerry(?)

"America's at War. And now George Bush says he can't win it. In order to win at anything, you have to believe you can. America must have a leader who believes in America, George Bush does not. I BELIEVE WE CAN, and I ask for you support, together we can protect this great country of ours."

Game,set, match, Kerry has just taken the WOT away from Bush as an issue.

[kentuck]

16. You are right. It's the biggest FLIP-FLOP in a long, long time !

But we must be careful not to say we can win the "war on terror". We can win against the terrorists but we cannot against terror - because it is an invisible enemy.

[maine_raptor]

18. I agree....WAR in that context is wrong

War is a condition between political states, not human conditions.

The problem is we (Western Hemisphere cultured humans) have euphemism-ized what should be called "an effort to diminish (insert condition her)" into the term "WAR".

Why, I'm not sure. Maybe the simplification of language in a sound bite world.

[michigandem2]

19. i think you are right...but will they go on the offensive...

capitalize on this shit people..its ours to grab now..this is what his whole campaign is on..

even when he came out on the 23rd to denounce ALL the ads..
he said "the question is who is best to run the country in the war on terror" and if he doesn't think we can win it...then that is an OBVIOUS offensive talking point for Kerry!

[kentuck]

22. Yes, we should go on the offensive....

But I don't want to see them fuck up....This is a great opening and Kerry should take full advantage, but please, please don't say "I can win the war on terror"....

[Francine Frensky]

17. Rove has eaten your brain.... you're thinking waaay too hard

here...

It's simple: Bush has been saying for years stuff like "we must win the war on terror"

and now he admits "we can't win the war on terror"

This is a great tv ad in the making, not some trap.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

20. I agree

it's so utterly simple. I'll bet the GOP idiots now here in NYC are freaking over what their blessed leader said.

[kentuck]

23. It was stupid, wasn't it ?

I hope we take advantage. It was a major flip-flop, no doubt about it.

[kentuck]

21. And what will you say when....?

Your candidate says, "We can win the war on terror"?? :)