Wednesday, January 31, 2007
'Entirely inauthentic,' Part II
Not exactly profiles in courage among Congressional Republicans. ... Sen. Olympia J. Snowe: 'This isn't about party loyalty. This isn't about presidential politics. It's about policy.' Or pre-2008 'every man for himself' policy-making? ... I had an interesting email exchange with someone yesterday. I'm backing off a bit from my Mickey-sponsored Chuck Hagel bashing. Sufficient evidence is out there that he's been somewhat consisent in criticizing the war, though I'm not overly impressed with the argument he's displayed 'courage.' ... FYI: I'm not coming at this from the they're-abandoning-the-president angle. I'm coming at it from the they-should-have-criticized-him-earlier angle -- i.e., when criticism might have made a difference. ...
Update -- Charles writes in: "Okay, now I'm intrigued. 'I'm coming at it from the they-should-have-criticized-him-earlier angle -- i.e., when criticism might have made a difference.' You actually think there was a point where the President might have listened to dissenting voices about his Iraq strategy once the war started? You're far more generous than I am. Next stop Iran!"
My response: Actually, I think the administration might have changed. Bullies back down when confronted. Bush and Rove were confronted in Nov. 2006, after which they dumped Rummy and his awful Iraq policies. The administration might have behaved differently, and earlier, had more political heat been applied when it counted.
Not exactly profiles in courage among Congressional Republicans. ... Sen. Olympia J. Snowe: 'This isn't about party loyalty. This isn't about presidential politics. It's about policy.' Or pre-2008 'every man for himself' policy-making? ... I had an interesting email exchange with someone yesterday. I'm backing off a bit from my Mickey-sponsored Chuck Hagel bashing. Sufficient evidence is out there that he's been somewhat consisent in criticizing the war, though I'm not overly impressed with the argument he's displayed 'courage.' ... FYI: I'm not coming at this from the they're-abandoning-the-president angle. I'm coming at it from the they-should-have-criticized-him-earlier angle -- i.e., when criticism might have made a difference. ...
Update -- Charles writes in: "Okay, now I'm intrigued. 'I'm coming at it from the they-should-have-criticized-him-earlier angle -- i.e., when criticism might have made a difference.' You actually think there was a point where the President might have listened to dissenting voices about his Iraq strategy once the war started? You're far more generous than I am. Next stop Iran!"
My response: Actually, I think the administration might have changed. Bullies back down when confronted. Bush and Rove were confronted in Nov. 2006, after which they dumped Rummy and his awful Iraq policies. The administration might have behaved differently, and earlier, had more political heat been applied when it counted.
