Bush Tempers Argument For Pre-Emptive Strikes (Forget The Ear Piece Crap)

[KittyWampus]

Bush Is Flip Flopping here... moving towards Kerry's Global Test... and DU'ers are wasting untold bandwidth on stupid crap like earpieces and notetaking.


Bush tempers argument for pre-emptive strikes



Experts say Iraq war precludes similar future engagements

George Bush has insisted repeatedly on the campaign trail that his presidency has been characterized by
unwavering policies based on core convictions. But a key component of his security and military strategy -- a
willingness to wage war "pre-emptively" against perceived enemies -- lies largely in tatters, say experts
and policy-makers.

These experts, from both sides of the political spectrum, say the brutal experience in Iraq has eroded many
elements of what has come to be called the "Bush doctrine," leaving the United States with less flexibility in
the war on terror.

President Bush himself appeared to dial back on the doctrine during Thursday night's debate when asked
whether he would launch future pre-emptive strikes in the wake of the Iraq war. Bush replied, somewhat
unenthusiastically, that "a president must always be willing to use troops," but only "as a last resort."

That is a far cry from the bold policy the president articulated in 2002, which rejected the traditional focus
on containing threats or responding only after an enemy had staged a clear act of aggression.

more…
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/10/02...

[The_Casual_Observer]

1. but only "as a last resort."

I wouldn't read anything at all into that statement. Afterall, this is exactly what he was saying before the Iraq war. This kind of thinking is dangerous, making * look like he is moderating his position. * has no positions of his own, he takes his instructions from others.

[CarolynEC]

2. Notice they say the so-called Bush doctrine has left us with LESS...

... flexibility to wage war on terrorists.

America is LESS secure as a result of Bush's recklessness!

:grr:

[Supersedeas]

3. leaving the US with less flexibility and credibility (sounds like Kerry)

[Ksec]

4. Yea, but will it fit in a bumper sticker ?

We need to remember long confusing talking points is what got Kerry in trouble the first time.

Even if its accurate its too long. We need something quick since were dealing with ten second attention spans.

[CarolynEC]

5. Headline-speak: "Bush Backs Off Own 'Doctrine' :

Sub-headline: "Experts Say Iraq Failure Rules Out Future Pre-Emptive Action"

Not a bunmper-sticker, but a bit more user friendly, I hope. :)

[Julien Sorel]

6. In chess there's a well-known maxim

"The threat is stronger than the execution." It means that sometimes you can, by having the ability to do something, induce or intimidate your opponent to compromise him or herself, without extending yourself or risking anything. Of course, this is the best of both worlds, as you didn't have to do anything, but your opponent hurt their position for you.

Here, we did do something, and the result was less than wonderful for us. Sure, the Iraqi people suffered and are suffering, but we gain nothing by it -- in fact, we lose international credibility, a ton of cash, and a lot of lives. It's the flipside of the maxim: The execution was weaker than the threat. And now people see the threat isn't so terrible any more, so they thumb their noses at us. Iran goes ahead with their nuclear program, North Korea goes ahead with theirs, and the guerrillas in Iraq look at the mess and know they can wait us out because we don't really have vital interests in play. And when we do leave, if an unfriendly government takes power there, they know they will have little to fear from another invasion. The power of the threat has been squandered by the stammering wonder, the guy who once had the gall to describe himself as "The foreign policy president."

[KittyWampus]

7. Very Nice! I Actually Understood That

but was never a good "closer" in chess.

I could hold my own until the very end.