April 4, 2003 6:38 AM

Oh, right; loose lips sink ships

Republicans Attack Kerry on 'Regime Change'

It's good to know that demagoguery can survive even the stress of a war. The fog of war seems to have become the fog of Washington (if you'll pardon the brazen theft of George Will's phrase). Let the dogs loose:

At a campaign stop in Peterborough, Kerry had said relations with our allies had become so damaged in the run-up to the war in Iraq that only a new president could repair them.

"What we need now is not just a regime change in Saddam Hussein and Iraq, but we need a regime change in the United States," said Kerry, a four-term Senate veteran.

Of course, I don't necessarily disagree with Kerry's sentiments, but his timing sucks. Shrub, as a leader, has shown himself incapable of interepreting shades of grey. Living in a black and white world is a recipe for disaster, but now that he has his war, Shrub can wrap himself in the protective embrace of the American flag.

Of course, no self-respecting Conservative Red Meat Republican would leave such a tasty morsel unmolested, and there were no shortage of reactionaries lining up to take their shots at Kerry.

House Speaker Dennis Hastert, House Republican leader Tom DeLay and Republican Party Chairman Marc Racicot said Kerry's remarks in the crucial presidential primary state of New Hampshire on Wednesday undercut the troops and President Bush's role as commander in chief....

Republicans quickly pounced on Thursday, with Hastert and DeLay accusing Kerry of putting politics ahead of support for the troops. Hastert said the comments were "not what we need at this time" and DeLay called his statement "desperate and inappropriate.

"America before New Hampshire," DeLay said.

Racicot said Kerry "crossed a grave line" by suggesting replacement of the commander in chief at a time of war.

"This use of self-serving rhetoric designed to further Senator Kerry's political ambitions at a time when the lives of America's sons and daughters are at stake reflects a complete lack of judgment," Racicot said.

Great. So only unqualified, unquestioning, lock-step support of Our Sainted President is acceptable. Jeez, guys, why not pass a law branding those who dare to think differently as terrorists and throw them in jail for 25 years? Oops, sorry; someone already suggested that.

Look, I support our troops, and I support the war, albeit with profoundly mixed emotions. What I cannot stomach is the attitude among Conservatives that the right to question and oppose the policies of a mediocre (and yes, illegitimate) President has somehow been suspended. Face the facts; the man is no Jack Kennedy. How about we all stop acting as if Shrub has anything unique to offer? Without the war in Iraq, he would be stumbling in the dark. After the war, he likely will be again.

By the way, Tom; New Hampshire IS part of the United States, no??

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This page contains a single entry by Jack Cluth published on April 4, 2003 6:38 AM.

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