She is right. There is something to say for speaking the truth being a constructive purpose in and of itself.
Because if for the first time it appears that the president may be willing to listen to outside voices, and for the first time there may be hope for serious changes in policy, I don't think it is the right time for juvenile personal insults clearly intended to be divisive.
In its time and place. As this is a bipartisan action and strategy document, getting on the president's case does nothing. It's more destructive than constructive at this time.
Bush started trashing the report last week, again stating his position that there will be no troop pullout. And today, his reaction has been consistent with every bit of advice he's received - thanks, now go away because I'm the Deciderer.
So it's a big "I told you so". Got it. Gore should be more of an adult than that. I expect more from a statesman of his stature.
Matt's right. It's time to put the country first, not bash the President. The President needs to follow along. If he doesn't, let be bashing begin.
Gore is still an outsider at the moment -- he's not in congress or elected office. So being a lightning rod and saying what others cannot say, i.e. those who have to work directly with W(orst President Ever), does serve a purpose, IMHO. It in fact invites a Democrat to say exactly what you said that "this is a bipartisan action and strategy document, getting on the president's case does nothing. It's more destructive than constructive at this time." I think if a Dem came out and wagged a finger at Gore that would be perfect and nobody would be happier than Big Al. Besides, it's not like it was Dan Haggerty Al... ..or crazy Al. It was just friendly put-up-your-dukes, politcally sparring Al. No problemo.
Gore's awesome. I'd love a President w/multiple personalities. "W" only has 2 speeds-dumb and dumber. Let's pray for the just dumb this time around.
He's extremely bright, movie-star handsome, has the best resume of any candidate....he really should have done better in 2000. He still has a great chance of being President Gore.
Here's what Nancy Pelosi said: Sounds about right. She speaks of cooperation but in a forceful way, with talk of ending the war as quickly as possible. She's saying they will work with Bush, but the ball is in his court. And btw, I saw the President's response on TV and so far I didn't see him make any disparaging remark. (I didn't find it on the internet, there's an AP video but I cannot get it to work.) From what I saw, he seems to be taking the report seriously. Granted, it's early, but I don't think he will challenge it, except possibly the part about working with Syria and Iran. At worse he may try to downplay it, but lets be fair, so far he's not done that. With Gates in charge, I can see them trying to implement it.
But what about all the positive things that happen over there, why doesn't the liberal media ever cover that? http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20061206/ap_on_re_us/us_iraq_violence_figures
It shouldn't have been close. He should have won going away based on the success of the Clinton terms. But he ran away from Clinton.
Of all the ISG's recommendations these two stood out for me. This is the crux of it really. What the longterm plans of the US are, a genuinely independent Iraq or an "Independent Iraq" controlled from Washington. This, to me, is the heart of the problem. There is no trust in the longterm intentions of the US, probably with good reason. Iraqis might fight for decades to avoid that second option, as most people in their position, including americans, would.
The White House isn't going to take any recommendations and are just going to ignore this while people keep dying in Iraq.... Bush "we will react in a timely fashion" uh huh.... I remember that being said over two years ago.
And at that point such words were merited, even if they weren't used. They aren't right now. Why is this so difficult. If you want to work together with someone, don't talk shit about them when coming to them with ideas.