Snow On Why It Took Four Years To Appoint A War Czar: ‘I Don’t Know’
Snow On Why It Took Four Years To Appoint A War Czar: ‘I Don’t Know’
During today’s White House press briefing, spokesman Tony Snow twice confessed “I don’t know” when asked why it has taken four years for President Bush to appoint a czar to oversee the war in Iraq.
Referencing yesterday’s selection of Gen. Douglas Lute, one reporter asked why it took so long “to come up with somebody of his seniority and stature?” Snow said, “I don’t know,” but added that “it seems proper at a time like this” to “task somebody with the job of keeping an eye on all the different players” involved in the war.
The reporter followed up, “Do you think this is a new need and that you did not need someone to do this for the previous four years?” Snow had no response. “Well, again, I — I’m not going to try to — I don’t know. It’s… I don’t have an answer for you.”
Watch it:
As Iraq veteran and national security analyst Phillip Carter writes, “How broken is the U.S. national security apparatus that we need a ‘czar’ to run it? Is the NSC that f—ed up that it needs a 3-star with some juice in the Pentagon to make things work? (This is a rhetorical question; the only possible answer is yes.) Or are the agencies that stubborn? (Again, yes.) … Could it be that we have the greatest military in the world, capped by the most ineffective and bloated bureaucracy ever created?”
Transcript:
Q: Back on Lute, why did it take so long, now into the fifth year of the war, to come up with somebody of his seniority and stature?
SNOW: I don’t know. I mean, I think what happened is again, as you’re taking a review, it became clear to us that as you develop, as you move into a new phase of the war — keep in mind, we are still in the process of deploying people in this “new way forward,” as the President called it, and therefore, it seems proper at a time like this, also, to task somebody with the job of keeping an eye on all the different players who are involved in it. What we do have is a different set of policies governing what’s going on in Iraq. It is something that is government-wide in its scope, and therefore it is appropriate to have somebody coming in in a new position in support of a new philosophy and a new way forward in Iraq not only to monitor progress but to do everything possible to assist those on the ground to help them succeed.
Q: Do you think this is a new need and that you did not need someone to do this for the previous four years?
SNOW: Well, again, I — I’m not going to try to — I don’t know. It’s… I don’t have an answer for you. I’m telling you that’s what he’s here to do now.
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58 Responses to “Snow On Why It Took Four Years To Appoint A War Czar: ‘I Don’t Know’”
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That's because the country doesn't need one. We have a war czar. He's called the President!!! WHat the hell is wrong with these people.
THis is just another way for the Bushies to blame someone else as this surge doesn't work and the violence increases. He doesn't want to blame Petraeus because he's been shouting to the heavens about how great he is.
Well now he has his patsie. I can't believe this guy was dumb enough to take this job.
May 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pmHe had to say "I don't know" because "we thought the President would be up to the challenge of being Commander-in-Chief" would reflect badly on Chimpy.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:00 pmdoes anyone believe anything this liar says anymore?
"war czar" - just the name is disgusting to me. a king of what - did he get a coronation? the reality is that this country shouldn't be engaging in aggressive war at all. The problems we face stem primarily from our use of force through the world the last 5-6 decades.
we'll only have peace and prosperity when we stop invading countries, stop killing civilians, stop supporting dictators, and get our military out of the 120+ nations it's currently based in.
Chalmers Johnson had some good points on this:
May 16th, 2007 at 2:01 pm"Evil Empire: Is Imperial Liquidation Possible for America?"
http://www.populistamerica.com/is_imperial_liquidation_possible_for_america
Because, until now, Republicans did think that the Iraq war could be winned by the USA. The instant they realized the war is an utter failure, they decided to create the position of Mini Me of the CinC.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:01 pmSNOW: Well, again, I — I’m not going to try to — I don’t know. It’s… I don’t have an answer for you.
Careful, Tony...every time you tell the truth, your Dark Master makes your tumor just a tad bit bigger...
May 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pmHow absolutely "Roman" of us.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pm#2
Nice!!!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pmWell now he has his patsie. I can’t believe this guy was dumb enough to take this job.
Comment by Crump's Brother — May 16, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
REALLY, YOU MEAN AFTER READING VALIUNT, JAKE, PATRICK1, HERE?? YOU CAN'T IMAGINE ANYONE AS DUMB AS THEY ARE?
May 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pmTony Snow in his best "Jeff Spicolie" impression: "I don't know"
Mr Hand: Will I pass this class Mr. Hand?
Tony: I DONT KNOW
Brilliant!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:03 pmToadie Snowjob knows why. This is the standard of competence for the Bush Administration. Seeking to create a new cabinet level? position that is not necessary considering "The Commander Guy/Decider" is supposed to do this job.
Know if you want to call him the; "The Foreign Policy Debacle Czar", I could go with that.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:04 pmQ: Back on Lute, why did it take so long, now into the fifth year of the war, to come up with somebody of his seniority and stature?
Oh oh, I know! Alex, what is War was never declared.
I'll now take Middle Eastern Conflicts that aren't officially Civil Wars for 400, Alex.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:04 pmlet's correct this unfortunate terminology of "war czar..." the CORRECT title, according to stephen hadley, the individual in the white house who had the responsibility for interviewing and recommending candidates, is - ta-da - IMPLEMENTATION AND EXECUTION MANAGER... are we clear about this now...?
And, yes, I DO take it personally
May 16th, 2007 at 2:05 pmSnow is such a Douche...While very ill, Snow chooses to perpetuate
May 16th, 2007 at 2:06 pmthe propaganda of this dangerous GOP Administration.
What a lousy legacy he will leave.
Appointing a war czar is Bush's acknowledgement that the war is lost - and he needs a scapegoat!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:07 pmThe War Czar is just one more person to terminate with a "HeckuvahJob" and a medal when things continue to deteriorate.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:07 pm"I'll take 'How to blame your s*it on other for a $1000 Alex."
May 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pmOn Keith Olbermann last night he and his guest (I can't remember his name - I think it's the guy from Newsweek) concluded that this guy was hired to have someone to "throw under the bus" when it becomes apparent that the 'surge' isn't working.
Supposedly, Lute is considered a bit of a dove among hawks.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pmlousy legacy? are you kidding me? - the guy went mano au mano with Bob Shieffer, (Battle of the Bands) and periodically with Stretch when they weren't serving on panels together, and let's not forget the fact that he calls Les, Lester, on a daily basis - the guy is a rock star!!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pmPossible responses:
"Because Bush is tired of directing the war, and wants to try his hand at producer."
"Because it took us four years to find someone who was minimally qualified, not a complete embarrassment, yet crazy enough to take the job."
"It took four years for Bush to finish scrawling the order in blood, and summoning an unholy messenger to deliver the order."
"We were finally all sober at once, and got something done."
"The fertile crescent has been a hotbed of conflict for thousands of years... what's a couple more?"
"Sorry, got a little distracted with World of Warcraft."
May 16th, 2007 at 2:11 pmHey Ya'll, this is funny. I saw this article and nearly took a crap in my overalls!:
Support Erodes for Doolittle
I thought my girl would be going home. She is from "around the way" if ya know what I mean!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:12 pmRN
How absolutely “Roman†of us.
Comment by Fed the Fcuk Up!
Nero had his fiddle,
May 16th, 2007 at 2:12 pmBush has his Lute.
Why did it take four years?
Because that's how long it took for the Commander-In-Chief to tire of the job....
"Prezdentin's hard work...heheh...keeps me busy...heheh...got lots a brush to clear, gotta go."
May 16th, 2007 at 2:12 pmThe Republicans really are the new KNOW NOTHINGS.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:14 pmGood one Proud Dem!!
May 16th, 2007 at 2:16 pmWhy?
May 16th, 2007 at 2:21 pmBecause we didn't need a scapegoat before now.
Do you actually know anything Snow?
May 16th, 2007 at 2:22 pmSnow: "I don't know"
I'm pretty sure that war czar is not mentioned in the constitution.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pmThey should have had this war czar's appointment taken to the Supreme Court, to be consistent with the first war czar's appointment in 2000 by Bush v. Gore.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:25 pmNero had his fiddle,
Bush has his Lute.
Comment by Proud Dem
But all he knows how to play is the tube snake flute ( that earned him his nickname "Lips" in college.)
May 16th, 2007 at 2:26 pm#21 - Indeed.
Bush luted while Baghdad burned...
May 16th, 2007 at 2:26 pmDirector of Operations is ordinarily a terminal assignment. Lute has nothing to lose by accepting this job. He may think, foolishly of course that he can have some impact on how things are run in Iraq. Maybe mitigate some of the long term damage to the forces. If that's true and it's just my speculation I pity the man. When he finds out there is no stopping the boy king and "big time' he is going to retire one bitter disillusioned Soldier.
In case you haven't heard the UK MOD has cancelled Prince Harry's deployment.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:30 pmCrump's Brother....
“You are equating us punishing criminals to Muslims killing homosexuals, drug users, thieves, etc? Please get a clueâ€
No, I was comparing one act of barbarism with another.
————-well, I won’t argue this point since I am 100% against the death penatly for any reason. But you can’t equate putting criminals to death who have murdered and Muslims killing an individual for being gay, a petty thieve, drug user, a woman not wearing her barka, or walking in public without a male escort, etc————————————-
“Yes, they will and in fact have. But by fighting this war in Iraq, Afghanistan, etc, their resources are over there and not in the USA.â€
Rather simple minded of you don’t you think that they are not capable sending, or already have, several cells here planning and waiting to attack.
————–how is it simple minded? BEFORE 9/11, while Clinton was in power, terrorist cells came to the USA. Now, by us fighting the terrorist overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are more occupied in killing our troopsp there than they are coming to attack us here. yes, some have tried, but they can’t put 100% of their resources to attack mainland USA since they also want to kill American soldiers. I believe that it is you the one that is being simple.————————————
“But, but crump, we are also occupying Afghanistan, right? so if we use your logic, we should get out of Afghanistan too, correct? And leave Iraq? what will you do, what will Liberals say when Iraq turns into a huge humanitarian disaster. Many, if not must of you, want troops to go into Darfur, right? why Darfur and not Iraq?â€
WE can help with humanitarian issue sas they arise. IT’s not our fault that Iraqi’s want to kill each other. And while I know you may be fine with it, I don’t like the idea of our troops getting caught in the cross fire. In Afghanistan we don’t seem to have the problem of our troops getting blown up on a daily basis due to sectarian civil war.
——————-Crump, even Democratic Leaders agree that we are fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. We can debate until our faces are blue whether they were there beofre or after we entered Iraq. But the fact remains that NOW our troops are fighting Al Qaeda in Iraq. If we leave Iraq without defeating Al Qaeda there, do you know the moral boost this would be for Al Qaeda and terrorists aroudn the world? You Liberals need to think before demanding things that are horrific for america——————————–
“I think it is you that needs to get his diaper check my friend. You and all the Liberals that claim that Bush is the boogeyman and the Global Warming is ending our worldâ€
I will check it. But for the record, the vast majority of Americans, and the world believe that Bush is a failure, and that Global warming is a problem. So I wouldn’t call that a ‘liberal’ viewpoint.
———————————-I could give a shit what the world believes about Bush. Leading and protecting a nation is not a popularity contest. Furthemore, I doubt it very much that the whole world hates Bush or thinks he is a failure. The new leader of France won, despite the fact that he claimed and proclaimed over and over and over again that he was a supporter of Bush. In Canada, and Mexico in Australia, etc tghe same thing. It is a Liberal myth that the world thinks Bush is a failure. And if they did…so what….the Presidency of the USA is not a world popularity contest.
As for Global Warming, a farce, a fake, a Liberal agenda thing, nothing to do with mainstream America. A fake ideology being shoved down American people through fear.—————————————
May 16th, 2007 at 2:34 pmIn case you haven’t heard the UK MOD has cancelled Prince Harry’s deployment.
Comment by klyde
Read that. He won't be deployed with the rest of his unit.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:35 pmThe reason it took four years, was bush has only recently tired of playing with his tanks, and plastic soldiers in the Rose Garden sand box. Too bad those little pieces represent 3000+ american lives, and billions of dollars.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:36 pmComment by Valiantthehater
So many words from you, yet nothing of any sense said.
What a fscking moron you are.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vJvKmrgzghE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tW1-_JmXQt0
May 16th, 2007 at 2:39 pmBush cultist: "Now, by us fighting the terrorist overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are more occupied in killing our troopsp there than they are coming to attack us here. yes, some have tried, but they can’t put 100% of their resources to attack mainland USA since they also want to kill American soldiers."
Cultist, the talking point was "we fight them over there so we don't have to fight them here." The talking point was NOT "we fight them over there so they can't put 100% of their efforts into attacking us here."
No moving the goal post, a-hole. Pick an absurd conservative talking point and stick with it.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:42 pmCan anybody, please, please, for the love of God, please explain to me what VTH just cut and pasted, and it's relevence to this thread.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:43 pmWhy did it take four years to appoint a War Czar? Just curious.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:44 pm#
Can anybody, please, please, for the love of God, please explain to me what VTH just cut and pasted, and it’s relevence to this thread.
Comment by DRxJ — May 16, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
#
I don't know. Something about we have to leave our military in Iraq forever, or Osama will come to New York...
May 16th, 2007 at 2:50 pmwasn't it the departure of Meghan O'Sullivan?
May 16th, 2007 at 2:51 pmAs for Global Terrorism, a farce, a fake, a Neo-con agenda thing, nothing to do with mainstream America. A fake ideology being shoved down American people through fear.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:55 pmIn the 2005 musical, Spamalot, Patsy has a bigger role with many more lines, and he sings "Always Look on the Bright Side of Life" to King Arthur, and they later sing the duet "I'm All Alone".
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patsy_%28Monty_Python%29
May 16th, 2007 at 2:55 pm"I don’t know."
First qualification for working in the maladministration is that you be a farkin' eedjit. Second is that you kiss Dubya's rosy five times a day when the muzzeins call.
Cheers,
May 16th, 2007 at 2:56 pmCan anybody, please, please, for the love of God, please explain to me what VTH just cut and pasted, and it’s relevence to this thread.
Comment by DRxJ
________________________________________
Might as easily explain the artistry of a fart in the wind.
May 16th, 2007 at 2:57 pmAh the Gonzales defense, brilliant move Mr. Snow...
May 16th, 2007 at 3:04 pmfrom the May 16th Time edition:
'What will Lute's role be? "Correspondents say it is unclear exactly what General Lute will do, and whether the job will involve settling turf wars between the Pentagon and the state department," says the BBC'
He might jump in between the Pentagon and Condi? That might be interesting.
May 16th, 2007 at 3:05 pmIf Commander Guy(c.) thinks this "War Czar" is somehow going to salvage the legacy of this "White House of ill repute", it only proves that he is drinking again.
May 16th, 2007 at 3:09 pmHmmm..let me think even why we are in Iraq...
you got it right !! I don't know.
next question?
May 16th, 2007 at 3:26 pmWhy did it take months of asking around, looking for a fall guy, a pet scapegoat, with nobody in DC stupid enough to sign up for this?
I don't know either.
They did however find a 3 star general who doesn't realize that this ain't gonna get him his fourth star, just a footnote in the history books as the patsy that took the fall for the Iraq mess.
May 16th, 2007 at 4:03 pmBush cultist: “Now, by us fighting the terrorist overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan, they are more occupied in killing our troopsp there than they are coming to attack us here. yes, some have tried, but they can’t put 100% of their resources to attack mainland USA since they also want to kill American soldiers.â€
Cultist, the talking point was “we fight them over there so we don’t have to fight them here.†The talking point was NOT “we fight them over there so they can’t put 100% of their efforts into attacking us here.â€
No moving the goal post, a-hole. Pick an absurd conservative talking point and stick with it.
Comment by Bluedog49 — May 16, 2007 @ 2:42 pm
Bluedog49, fucking retard....you are trying to equate me with someone that likes everything Bush has done. Sorry moron, but unlike left wingers, right wingers don't walk in lock step.....
I don't give a shit what Bush's talking point was, a-hole. The fact is that fighting terrorists overseas keeps them busy, and keeps their resources away from trying to hit us.
If you had one ounce of human brain matter you would realize that this means that if we fighting them over, they are too fucking busy to come over here.
try to use your brain for once. I know you are a Liberal and it is very difficult for Liberals to use their brain matter. But for goodness sake, at least try to not sound like a complete fking moron. ok? just some friendly advise. :)
May 16th, 2007 at 4:37 pmI dunknow... Way ta waste your question, dumbass. Next.
May 16th, 2007 at 5:30 pmi am surprised snowjob didn't break down like a little bitch and cry about his cancer like he did at his first press conference when the questions got a little too hot for him to handle. seeing helen thomas roll her eyes during his "performance" was classic
May 16th, 2007 at 5:33 pmTony, sorry about your illness...but you are as worthless as that piece of shit for whom you do your bidding. You guys are worthless liars about EVERYTHING!
May 16th, 2007 at 5:45 pm"I don't know" is the most honest thing that I have ever heard of Tony saying.
If he answered ALL questions this way, I would think that he has turned a leaf toward honesty.
May 16th, 2007 at 7:06 pmThis is not a new position. Meghan O'Sullivan was previously Deputy National Security Adviser for Iraq and Afghanistan. She resigned last month. WaPo
What is perhaps new is giving this position an active manager role rather than a passive adviser. But even that is not new.
In October 2003 Rice was supposed to be the manager for Iraq and Afghanistan. President Bush is giving his national security adviser, Condoleezza Rice, the authority to manage postwar Iraq and the rebuilding of Afghanistan.
Of course, the lack of a manager has not been the problem. The problem has been the President failing to listen to the advice he was given by the military.
May 16th, 2007 at 7:20 pmTony HAD to have been brought back for ratings...
...everybody knows how fond Americans are...
...of watching death and tragedy...
May 16th, 2007 at 9:38 pmDear Folks:
May we paraphrase the late, great Ben Hecht. But instead of slamming all journalists as Hecht did, (himself a journalist before he turned screenwriter) we apply it to neo-con bullshit artists like Snow...... and Rove, and the ODAP - POTUS. Odappotus - Old Devilish Alcoholic Psychopath -President of the United States, and the rest of the neo-con bullshit artists.
"The hand of God, reaching down into the mire, could not lift one of them to the depths of degradation."
My other comment on Lute.... Great going, General. But if we carry on, with rapid troop rotations back to Iraq and extended tours, you will have a voluntary Armed forces at only 25% combat strength by 2010.
So, my recommendation is Democrats should not only tack on a "redeployment withdrawel date from Iraq" on every bill for Pentagon funding, they should make it an either or. Either schedule a viable and quick withdrawel date from Iraq, or reinstate the draft." That gets them out of the line of being "unpatriotic", and puts the burden on Bush and his idiotic neo-con, chicken-hawk, "stink tanks" . "Get out or reinstate the draft" is an interesting double bind to put back on the Repugnicans.
Chicken hawk turkeys - i.e. turkeys with hawks feathers, always cover their chicken shit asses by sticking their heads up them.
Thus, they always get a headache when their asses are kicked (criticised - the hysterial twats.)
Excuse me, I didn't mean to call Bush a twat or an hysterical whore's cunt. I retract that, I mean, even a whore's cunt is sometimes socially useful. He's not.
I bid General Lute good luck - he's in a damned if you do and damned if you don't position. But, if he was dumb enough to put his balls between the two jaws of the vice.... he is bound to have them squeezed.
Just another fall guy for the shrub's overbearing and conceited incompetence.
Daddy's boy screwed up, and he's hysterically looking for another daddy to pull the irons out of the fire he put in.
(We marched into a Moslem country with Christian troops, and fancy that -
they shoot back. )
all the best to all good, open society liberals. Old fashioned Lincoln liberal.
May 18th, 2007 at 5:41 am