FLASHBACK: Bush Used to Oppose Letting Bin Laden Set National Security Priorities
FLASHBACK: Bush Used to Oppose Letting Bin Laden Set National Security Priorities
Yesterday, Think Progress posted a video compilation of members of the Bush administration arguing America should outsource its national security policy to bin Laden. (As Dan Bartlett said, “So, it doesn’t matter what we say. We should be taking the — the words of the enemy seriously. They think it’s the fight of — of the war on terror, so, we must as well.”)
A Think Progress reader pointed us to an exchange from the first 2004 Presidential debate:
KERRY: You know – Osama bin Laden uses the invasion of Iraq in order to go out to people and say that America has declared war on Islam. We need to be smarter about now we wage a war on terror. [...]
BUSH: My opponent just said something amazing. He said Osama bin Laden uses the invasion of Iraq as an excuse to spread hatred for America. Osama bin Laden isn’t going to determine how we defend ourselves. Osama bin Laden doesn’t get to decide. The American people decide.
If Bush were serious about letting the American people “determine how we defend ourselves,” he would support a timetable for withdrawal from Iraq.
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He also made fun of Gore’s “lock box” plan for SS only to spend all of the SS money he could and then complain about how SS doesn’t have enough money.
He denied that he was into Nation Building.
Basically Bush has done nothing but actively lie from day one. I don’t think he is even capable of telling the truth.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:26 pmFor a guy being chased by the military superpower, he is kicking ass.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:26 pmBush has created more terrorists than bin laden has with the republican stratagy for fighting terorrism and the failed foreign policy. Kerry was right on.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:28 pmBack then Bush thought the American people were the “deciders”.
Sigh.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:30 pmNotice how Bush used to think the American people were the “deciders”. Or at least pretended to.
Sigh.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:31 pmWe should set a time table for the removal of Mr. Bush and his cohorts in crime. I’d say Nov. 7th, would be a good date.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:31 pmWho’s wearing the “Flip-flops” now?
September 14th, 2006 at 5:35 pmIf Bush actually was serious about the welfare of those troops, he would set a timetable to get those troops out of that quagmire as quickly as possible. One gets the feeling that as long as his daughters are not placed in jeopardy, then setting a quick timetable does not rank high among Bush’s priorities.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:40 pmSo this means Osama is now The Decider?
September 14th, 2006 at 5:45 pmThanks for reminding me why I voted for Kerry. He said a lot of brilliant stuff that clearly was over many people’s heads. In hindsight, as he is proven to be correct on so many matters, I hope he will use it to strengthen the Democrats’ stand on Iraq…
September 14th, 2006 at 5:47 pmI just don’t underfreaking stand how this guy is still in power. I’m sure you all have heard/read about the reports that even W’s own father questions his mental capabilities and stability, to whatever degree those reports are true.
If so, we can bet our dirty underwear that he will use that as an insanity plea when tried for crimes of war. Is that even an option in the war crimes court?
Scary sh!t, folks. All he has to do is undergo that second round of the physical where they check his wiring and he may come out roses.
September 14th, 2006 at 5:53 pmHi Ms. Unbelievable! How are you? School going ok? Hope so!
Ok… Would you look at GWB’s FACE? This is the ‘real’ GWB, in all his pissy glory. He probably gets this look on his face whenever he has to ‘do his duty’, when he doesn’t want to. I bet his staff sees that look alot!
September 14th, 2006 at 5:58 pmThis amazing display of short-sightedness illustrates why GW Bush is Al Qaeda’s best recruiter.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:03 pmKerry makes an intelligent observation and then Bush says something totally contrary that has nothing to do with what Kerry just said. Bush does this to everyone including the American people. This is why everyone is tired of him and will be voting the Repugs out of office in November.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:15 pmSouthpaw,
I’ve heard of Dubya hanging up on his dad when he said something the little crybaby didn’t like.
(Probably, “Son, could you please stop f*cking the country and the Middle East?)
But I haven’t heard that Dad actually fessed up about his idiot son.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:16 pmDo you have any links?
Thanks.
side note but since we’re bringing up the annoying tendancies of Bush. I can’t stand when he smiles as he’s telling a reporter the rationale for his actions. “Terrorists are bad” (smile, pause) “They hurt people” (smile half laugh pause). I think of bad car salesmen whenever I see it.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:18 pmAt best he is a flip-flopin’ waffler. At worst he is an outright liar.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:20 pmbush did this?…..next you be telling me bush is a LIER!!!….SHOCK!!! And my parents said Hoover was the worst president EVER…..well, they got the ‘was’ part right…
September 14th, 2006 at 6:25 pm#12 Cyra,
I agree. That puss says it all about him. The look that tells everyone who sees it that he thinks, “I shouldn’t have to be here. I’m the f*cking president! I wanna get outta here. I need a beer.”
That look should tell every American, especailly those that support him, just what he thinks of us. He clearly thinks that defending his record is beneath him. He acts as if he’s entitled to be the president, and if you disagree, you’re un-American. I try not to give into hate, but I can’t figure out who should be hated more – the president, or the people who put him into office for a second term?
September 14th, 2006 at 6:26 pmSigh.
You put it best, Wayne A. Schneider. It was so satisfying to watch a GROWN-UP politician take the president to task during those debates. I’s still crushed that so many voters were so short-sighted.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:44 pmHellinabucket——
RAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!! Nothing makes me fume more than that shi!t-eating grin he had when he talks. We keep CNN on in my building and when I walk out through the lobby and see that grinning mug…..my blood just BOILS! It’s like he’s waiting for the whole world to sit on his whoppie coushin.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:49 pmI think most everyone who commented about the blog and the author are off base. You of course have to take the context of both items.
1. Kerry is referring to Osama using propaganda against us and Bush’s reply is that Osama’s propaganda or threat thereof is not determining our mission.
2. Bush and cohorts saying that Irag is the central war because Osama and cohorts have determined Iraq is their central war is saying that they have waged war on our mission to liberate Iraqi’s into a democratic society. Our mission is being fully assaulted by the “enemy”, hence it is the central point in our war on terror.
You could obviously pick holes in GWB’s statement “Osama bin Laden isn’t going to determine how we defend ourselves.” because we have changed our entire method of defense in response to 9/11. That was bad wording on GWB, which he had a lot of during those debates. Somehow he still managed to beat Kerry though.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:50 pm[Reaches over cubicle wall and...] smakada smakada smakada the back of a GOoPers head..
September 14th, 2006 at 6:50 pmI think most everyone who commented about the blog and the author are off base. You of course have to take the context of both items.
1. Kerry is referring to Osama using propaganda against us and Bush’s reply is that Osama’s propaganda or threat thereof is not determining our mission.
2. Bush and cohorts saying that Irag is the central war because Osama and cohorts have determined Iraq is their central war is saying that they have waged war on our mission to liberate Iraqi’s into a democratic society. Our mission is being fully assaulted by the “enemy”, hence it is the central point in our war on terror.
You could obviously pick holes in GWB’s statement
because we have changed our entire method of defense in response to 9/11. That was bad wording on GWB, which he had a lot of during those debates. Somehow he still managed to beat Kerry though.
September 14th, 2006 at 6:53 pmWhat Bush meant: The American people get to decide only when they walk in lockstep with The Decider.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:07 pmPayson: You’re trying to make sense of Bush, again. To understand Bush, you have to think like Jack in As Good as it Gets: “I think of a man and I take away reason and accountability.” When you approach him that way, GWB is actually a genius.
September 14th, 2006 at 7:15 pmRepublicans want to keep Bin Laden free so they can use him to frighten Americans into electing them into office.
No wonder he is still at large.
-GSD
September 14th, 2006 at 7:51 pmGood catch by that TP participant.
September 14th, 2006 at 8:43 pmMuch like the abortion issue the capture or death of Bin Laden would do serious damage to the chances of republican power. I am sure George is not all that concerned with the man.
September 14th, 2006 at 8:45 pmGSD,
That makes sense. What doesn’t make sense is all these frightened people. why do they keep falling for the same old crap?
I remember seeing that face GWB is pulling during the debates, and that’s why I was SURE he wouldn’t get four more years. I mean — look at him!
September 14th, 2006 at 8:46 pmDuring that debate, I cut out a picture of the top half of a Michelob beer bottle from a magazine, and taped it on the TV so it matched up with Bush’s podium. He was sippin during the debate.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:41 pm…looks like the petulant asshole that he is…
September 14th, 2006 at 9:46 pm.
For+Truth (what’s up with that?),
I’m sure GWB was wishing he could debate from inside that beer bottle.
I was playing a drinking game during one of the debates, where every time GWB tried to get chummy with the crowd, we took a drink — there were some other things, too — don’t remember….
I’m a really light weight drinker, so I was gone fairly soon.
September 14th, 2006 at 9:52 pmThe Busheviks keep on saying that anti-Iraq statements give “comfort to the enemy.” So are we suppose Dumbya’s statement that “finding Bin Ladin isn’t a top priority” and the fact that the CIA unit devoted to him was closed recently don’t encourage the terrorists?
September 14th, 2006 at 9:58 pmLike Bill Maher said it all comes down to are the American people, or a majority of them going to be stupid again like they were in 2004?
September 14th, 2006 at 10:06 pmThere we go yet again using Bush’s own words against him. We’re so mean when we do stuff like that.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:09 pmAmerica’s Least Wanted
I don’t know why you all are picking on ole Dumbya. Ya see that look on his face? That is the repeated look of “it’s hard work.” How many times did he use this excuse during his campaign? LMAO I think one speech he repeated it eighteen times. I will have to check that out. Oh my….we are in quite a mess.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:22 pmOh my goodness, you folks are STILL rehasing the 2004 election? I would have thought it too painful for you…After all, you guys lost…..
September 14th, 2006 at 10:37 pmExley,
We are sharing the ways we coped with the 2004 election. Its not painful at this point, we have reach the acceptance stage in the greiving process, would you like to join tonights therapy group?
September 14th, 2006 at 10:46 pm#41
For Truth,
Okay….That makes sense. I will leave the therapy group. I have no need to participate. After all, I was happy with the outcome in 2004.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:56 pmYou are a gracious winner Exley.
September 14th, 2006 at 10:58 pmIsn’t it amazing that trolls like Exley can gloat over “winning” the election in 2004, despite the fact that their man is proving to be the worst president this nation has ever seen. .. The most ignorant man who has ever been president …The most stubborn, bellicose and warmongering man we have ever seen in the Oval Office … Yet, he finds reason to cheer because – well – he won! We lost. The nation lost. But that doesn’t matter – he won.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:21 pmHow pathetic. He brags about a win like that – when he should be hanging his head in shame. He is a sad case.
#45….I am sorry…Who are you talking about??? I am talking about George W. Bush — the liberator of two nations, the protector of America’s homeland, the enemy of Al Qaeda, the champion of liberty.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:38 pmActually Exley…I am having a good laugh at the expense of Bush. But, then the bittersweet realization that we have people that actually still believe his crap sets in, and it is not quite so funny.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:40 pm#45
ROFLMAO
Twice.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:43 pmWow!!! #45….I am sorry…Who are you talking about??? I am talking about George W. Bush — the liberator of two nations, the protector of America’s homeland, the enemy of Al Qaeda, the champion of liberty.
Did I miss something? Did some new development happen in the Middle East? Did someone say liberation of two nations? What, when, where? pmsl This is too easy, I don’t even have to watch Comedy Central tonight, Exley is quite the comedian. :)
September 14th, 2006 at 11:45 pm#49 Actually, Michelle, it does indeed appear you have missed something….The Taliban government has been overthrown in Afghanistan and Saddam Hussein has been removed from power in Iraq by the Great Liberator, George W. Bush.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:50 pmGWB, liberator of NO nation really. Although not planned, in effect the nation most empowered by our nation building is Iran, who stands to gain influence in one of the conquered lands.
Obviously, some have not seen recent status reports for progress on stability for either of these “nations”. Both were more stable under totalitarian or opressive regimes than they are now. The shame is, they could have been made more stable with the appropriate level of planning.
Both definitely are in search of a sustainable economy if their governments have any chance of staying solvent.
September 14th, 2006 at 11:50 pm#45
I think you forgot to mention:
September 14th, 2006 at 11:51 pmAnd he is able to leap tall buildings in a single bound.
I guess, Exley is right about one country—- Iran. Although not deliberately (and unfortunately), Iran now has much more power and influence in Iraq especially, and in the middle east generally. Shia on Shia.
Way to go GW!! Nice set of democracies, you got there. Too bad there are no economies there to help facilitate stability. Well, maybe if the opium business in Afghanistan was regulated (resulted in tax revenue).
September 15th, 2006 at 12:00 am#52….Maybe you are right, Marie. He is pretty terrific, isn’t he? We are very lucky to have him as our president.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:00 amPoll for Republicans:
Do you believe that Bush is:
1. A great leader of the free world who is outmatched by bin Ladin?
2. A mediocre leader outmatched by bin Ladin?
3. A weak leader outmatched bin Ladin?
OR
4. A leader who would rather use bin Ladin to get Republicans elected than catch him?
As a follow on, do you believe that Bush
A. Believes that he is in what he really believes is the ideological struggle of the 21st Century, but just doesn’t understand that there is a lot more America could do to win it.
OR
B. Is blowing a whole lot of smoke to win elections for Republicans, which explains why he hasn’t even seriously considered instituting a draft to put the required number of troops on the ground to truly secure Iraq or scaled back on his huge rich-slanted tax cuts to pay for the war in Iraq.
I would be interested to hear your personal views.
Thank you and have a nice evening.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:01 amtest
September 15th, 2006 at 12:03 amYeah, was that the same Taliban that was hosted in this country for pipeline rights by Gov. Bush?
God bless Ann RIchards. She was right about ol’ W after all.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:06 amI am talking about George W. Bush — the liberator of two nations, the protector of America’s homeland, the enemy of Al Qaeda, the champion of liberty.
Comment by Exley
You cannot be serious. I had given you credit for having a brain, but now I see all you have is wool.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:16 amI have beeen reading your posts and I can’t believe how y’all are so closed minded. You do like the media, say the same thing over and over again, and only what they think the public wants to hear. Just like y’all the media is going to be the ruination of this war. If you look at Mr. Bush when you say his so called smile. Did you watch him when he talked on the celebration of 9/11, say he looked like he was smiling, HE WAS CRYING AND CHOKING BACK THE TEARS, could you not see that, he is a very compassionate man, and through all of your complaints and moans and groans, I have not seen one time where y’all have mentioned our troops and how they are over there fighting so that you have the freedom to say all of these wasted words. You need to look at the whole picture instead of just what you want to. You say he is the worst President we have ever had, I beg to differ with you, I am a Vietnam Era Veteran, and Kennedy, and Johnson are two of the worst, don’t believe take a ride to Washington, DC and look at all the names on the black granite wall, that should tell you who the worst Presidents were. What about the Bay of Pigs with Cuba, that Kennedy got us into. And check our history books, Vietnam actually started in 1954, so who was President then, y’all are blowing your whistle’s and tootin your own horns, but you are not saying anything factual.
Navygirl
September 15th, 2006 at 12:26 amKat, speak English, for one. That folksy crap doesn’t cut it here. We have heard it and we reject it. Your crap smells here just like everywhere else.
September 15th, 2006 at 12:33 am#50 Exley,
September 15th, 2006 at 12:50 amSince I don’t watch Faux News, I can’t say what they are reporting. But by the account of every other media person as well as scholars in Afghanistan lately, the Taliban have made a comeback in many parts of the country. Theyve hardly been overthrown, and you’re the one who is really missing something if you think so. And I guess you would call all the daily violence and killings in Iraq a good thing, as long as Saddam is out, eh? I agree with Zooey’s comment about you in #58.
To Navy Girl,
September 15th, 2006 at 12:58 amEven if it were true that the US got involved in Vietnam in 1954, the answer to your question of who was president then is Dwight D. Eisenhower, a Republican. Sorry about that.
Jeebus christ, use the f-word one frickin’ time, and my whole response to Navygirl’s comment is deleted.
I guess the part about being grateful to the troops, and not wanting any more of them coming home in boxes was offensive, too?
Delete this, too!
Go ahead and ban me, I don’t care.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:07 amWhere are the posts going?? Anyways, to navy girl…
Did you watch him when he talked on the celebration of 9/11, say he looked like he was smiling, HE WAS CRYING AND CHOKING BACK THE TEARS, could you not see that, he is a very compassionate man, and through all of your complaints and moans and groans,
Sociopaths can be very convincing, huh.
Sociopath-a person, as a psychopathic personality, whose behavior is antisocial and who lacks a sense of moral responsibility or social conscience.
If he is such a kind dear man why did Mr. Bush veto legislation to help those that were affected by the toxins at ground zero? Why did the White House pressure the EPA to change their numbers to sway in their favor, intentionally misleading the public? If Bush cried on 9/11 it’s because he is afraid of an impending impeachment.
September 15th, 2006 at 1:24 amThese recent revelations, on top of what we already knew, are just sickening. Osama is not important, Saddam didn’t have any ties to al Qaeda. So why are we in Iraq, again? Can anyone imagine what is going through the troops minds when they are able to get online and see that they are there and their fallen military members died for absolutely nothing but bullshit?!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:21 amIn my humble opinion Osama has been dead for the last 3 years at least > that is why he has not been seen anywhere > some speculate he died of kidney failure, but Bush needs him as a bogeyman whether he is alive or dead!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:24 amLiberating people at gunpoint is not liberating them at all Exley
September 15th, 2006 at 9:37 amHow quickly can these two video quotes be spliced together into a commercial?
September 15th, 2006 at 9:54 amBush has done a thousand things wrong. But our message should be all about bin Laden and 9/11.
The fact is, virtually ALL AMERICAN’s were 100% behind him when he swore to get bin Laden. After 5 years, it’s clear he’s FAILED. And it even appears that he never even TRIED.
He’s not tough and resolute. He’s a wimp with a short attention span. Bush let the worst mass murderer in American history go free. Bush and his Republican enablers need to go.
Bush is a FAILURE who, in effect, pardoned bin Laden. There’s NO EXCUSE for this.
September 15th, 2006 at 10:39 amBush is a miserable failure and if you voted for Bush, you’re a sucker. There is no other way to look at it.
September 15th, 2006 at 11:10 amKat stevenson/Navygirl…
hahahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!!
wow, you’re DUMB!
September 15th, 2006 at 2:39 pmOh yes, yes; Oh yes, it was George, he flew the planes. George Bush was the mastermind of 9/11. Oh yes, indeed. Eight years befor he became president, George bombed the World Trade Center in 1993. Oh yes, yes, he did.
The Clinton administration didn’t need to catch Osama, they knew it was George who did it.
And now that George, why can’t he just make love with our Islamic bretheren. Oh ye, yes, our bretheren love us. And those who don’t have good reason. Us Americans are just so awful.
Get a grip, Osama attacked us in 1993, Bill did nothing. Take shots at Bush, that’s easy. Let me know what your man did to take control of the situation? I’m waiting, waiting, waiting. Hmmm, nothing but silence.
September 15th, 2006 at 5:01 pmGet a grip, Osama attacked us in 1993, Bill did nothing. Take shots at Bush, that’s easy. Let me know what your man did to take control of the situation? I’m waiting, waiting, waiting. Hmmm, nothing but silence
Wasnt it reublicans whom were screaming “ALQEDA DOSNT EXIST and “WAG THE DOG” ????
September 15th, 2006 at 7:13 pmwasnt it republicans who were screaming ALQEDA DOSNT EXIST and WAG THE DOG
September 15th, 2006 at 7:14 pmNone of this has anything to do with Republicans or democrats. It has more to do with the the absurd number of dead Americans that should be here with their families loving and being loved. Soon Bush’s strategies will have killed more Americans than Ossama did on 9-11.
Bush just doesn’t get it. You can’t fight a guerilla based insurgent war with conventional weapons. We learned that lesson in Vietnam (I thought). The last 3 presidents had the courage and wisdom to resiste the gunslinging folly that has been the hallmark of the Bush presidency.
When Mr. Bush leaves office, the anti-American, Islamic terror forces will be even stronger because Bush simply ignored the cultural and sociological dynamics of the gulf region. He’s a typical rich kid who thinks that if they ain’t like me they must be wrong. He couldn’t see how important Saddam was to stability in the M.E. In Iran, Mr. Bush has created a monster. And soon, one with a nuclear capability.
The only problem that the sane people have is that more than half of America is infected with this Bush fear crap and we’re facing a t least eight more years of this garbage once Jeb Bush is elected president.
BTW, those of you who actually think that Bush has had a successful presidency provide a welcome comic relief to the reality of American life.
September 15th, 2006 at 9:05 pm#76
Soon Bush’s strategies will have killed more Americans than Ossama did on 9-11.
comment by Unconvinced
For the reocrd, Bush’s strategies have already killed more Americans than Osama did on 9/11. As I have pointed out here previously, not all the 3000 people killed during the 9/11 attacks were American. The victims included over 100 Brits, 24 Japanese, as well as citizens of most European countries, Australians, South Africans, South and Central Americans. When you subtract their numbers from the 3000 killed on 9/11, you will already have a figure that is less than the number of Americans killed in Iraq. Then if you care to add the other “coalition of the willing” (inlcluding those from nations no longer in that coalition) soldiers (Brits, Dutch, Poles, Hungarians, etc.) and Iraqi civilians killed during this senseless war, you will have a figure sveral times the number of 9/11 victims.
September 16th, 2006 at 2:50 am