Before I begin, allow me to introduce myself. My name is Adam; I enjoy long walks on the beach and smoking in public. I’ve been a semi-frequent commenter here for a while, and I’ve even written a few things for the front page now and again. Along with Vince et. al., I’ll be helping to give you guys your fix over the next week or so while Jack is away at LIEberal camp memorizing talking points and making trigger locks out of coat hangers. With that brief introduction out of the way, it’s story time!
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away, George W. Bush had a plan for the war in Iraq. When asked about that plan in public, his response was clear and soundbyte-friendly: “stay the course.” The meaning of this phrase has always been up for debate, but President Bush attempted to outline a meaning during a speech at the US Naval Academy in November 2005:
Some critics continue to assert that we have no plan in Iraq except to, “stay the course.” If by “stay the course,” they mean we will not allow the terrorists to break our will, they are right. If by “stay the course,” they mean we will not permit al Qaeda to turn Iraq into what Afghanistan was under the Taliban — a safe haven for terrorism and a launching pad for attacks on America — they are right, as well. If by “stay the course” they mean that we’re not learning from our experiences, or adjusting our tactics to meet the challenges on the ground, then they’re flat wrong.
Like every good story, this one has an evil villain. His name is “cut and run.” In order for President Bush’s soundbyte to be effective, he would have to associate this villain with his opponents. To accomplish this goal, since 2003, every alternative option, suggestion, or unanswered question has been labeled as “cut and run.” Senator Kerry wants to establish a timetable for extricating the US from Iraq? Cut and run. Retired generals say there aren’t enough troops in Iraq? Cut and run. Democratic politicians worried about a civil war in Iraq? Cut and run.
For the last three years, the two options of “stay the course” and “cut and run” have been GOP codenames for “Republican” and “Democrat.” As the months go by, however, the course isn’t looking so great. It is paved with dead bodies, manicured by terrorists, and seemingly planned by nobody. Accordingly, GOP election year strategy is changing. In response to James Baker’s plan to find middle ground between “stay the course” and “cut and run,” President Bush argues that “we’ve never been ‘stay the course.’”
In case the video was unclear in some way, here is the transcript. Asked by George Stephanopoulos what he thought of Baker’s comments, he replied, “Listen, we’ve never been ‘stay the course,’ George!” well, that’s not exactly accurate, Mr. President. According to your public statements, you’ve actually been very, very “stay the course,” and you are lying to us again.
Now, I could have it all wrong. It’s entirely possible that President Bush is attempting to make some fine distinction of meaning between “stay the course” coming out of his mouth versus the same phrase coming out of a Democrat’s mouth. However, I find that unlikely. What is more likely is that “the course” has become unbearable, and Americans are tired of seeing our military shoot over par. The GOP’s own talking point has jumped up and bitten them in the ass. If I’m right, you’ll see a wholesale abandonment of “stay the course” by the GOP over the next several weeks. After all, as long as the opposition is still in bed with “cut and run,” The Right doesn’t actually have to stand for anything.
