Voinovich: Bush Has ‘F’ed’ Up The War, Needs To Start Thinking About His Legacy
Voinovich: Bush Has ‘F’ed’ Up The War, Needs To Start Thinking About His Legacy
Last week, in a conversation with senior White House political aide Karl Rove, Sen. George Voinovich (R-OH) warned that conservative support is quickly eroding for the war, and to stem the tide, Bush must institute a plan that begins the withdrawal of U.S. troops. Voinovich told Rove, “The president is a young man and should think about his legacy.” CNN reports:
Voinovich added that other Republicans are close to speaking out against the President’s current strategy. “I won’t mention anyone’s name. But I have every reason to believe that the fur is going to start to fly, perhaps sooner than what they may have wanted.”
In private, Voinovich is more blunt, using a profanity to describe the White House’s handling of Iraq by charging the administration “f–ed up” the war. […]
A White House spokeswoman confirmed to CNN that Rove, who speaks with Voinovich frequently, had the phone conversation with the senator last week and they did discuss the President’s legacy. But the spokeswoman declined to provide further details, citing Rove’s desire to keep phone conversations with senators private.
Watch CNN’s report:
According to CNN’s Ed Henry, Voinovich is privately warning the White House that “if there’s not a dramatic new strategy [by September], he will endorse a Democratic plan mandating a timeline for withdrawing U.S. troops.”
Voinovich had an opportunity last week to put his tough talk into action, but failed to do so. Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced an amendment to provide more rest to members of the Armed Forces deployed overseas. Voinovich voted against that measure.
UPDATE: Greg Sargent labels Voinovich part of the “WINO caucus” — Waverers In Name Only.
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77 Responses to “Voinovich: Bush Has ‘F’ed’ Up The War, Needs To Start Thinking About His Legacy”
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He destroyed America.
Much like I destroyed Japan this morning. Ignore the news, it was not Earthquakes.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:49 pmWell there is at least one George in Washington DC who isn’t afraid to tell the truth - took him long enough to do it - but he did it.
And I think he should have said that Bush “Cheneyed Up” the war. IMO.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:50 pmWe’re hearing more words, although it’s encouraging they are coming from a Republican — this indicates the GOP is running out of patience with their standard bearer.
When will we see actions that match the words?
July 16th, 2007 at 1:50 pmAll the King EVER thinks about is his f*cking dream legacy.
People die for that legacy!
July 16th, 2007 at 1:50 pmciting Rove’s desire to keep phone conversations with senators private, as well as all his communications with Satan.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:50 pmOH SHIT, HE USED THE “F” WORD! MY VIRGIN EARS…. this must be serious folks… stay tuned!
July 16th, 2007 at 1:51 pmWell, they’ve got elections coming and as politicians usually do, they have to do some grandstanding. Have no fear. Voinovich will stand with our commander-in-chief when it comes to a vote. Just like the dems will. There’s too much at stake for silly partisan bickering.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:52 pmComment by Godzilla — July 16, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
I just KNEW we shouldn’t have ever let the Japanese kill off Mothra…
July 16th, 2007 at 1:53 pmComment by Fan_of_Man — July 16, 2007 @ 1:51 pm
You know, FOM, Voinovich is just using the only language the repugs can understand — after all, Darth Cheney is a big fan of the F word himself. I’d expect them all to now understand what we’ve been saying all along, ya know???
July 16th, 2007 at 1:54 pm#4 nailed it! It would be good if W would think about America and its people instead of his legacy!
July 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pmHeh. Take about caving in…
July 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pmAnd Bush F’d up Katrina relief, immigration, the medicare drug program, the war in Afghanistan, healthcare, the justice department, the supreme court, the environment, the Consititution of the United States, America’s opinion in the world, human rights, the military . . . . .
July 16th, 2007 at 1:57 pm“legacy”…
just heard the great point on ed schultz…
dumby and the bush klan do not want to be
in the history books with clinton: IMPEACHED…
put IMPEACHMENT back on the table - hell, bring on the charges -
and dumby with start acting correctly…
put on the pressure…
back to mowing…
July 16th, 2007 at 1:58 pmThe Senator is brave man of words, a coward of action.
July 16th, 2007 at 1:59 pmYeah.
It’s not too late to erase the genocide, criminality, war profiteering, mismanagement, incompetence, hypocrisy, war crimes, torture and treason that have been the hallmarks of your administration up until this moment.
but you have to start thinking about it right now - or it’ll be too late.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:00 pmDubya already HAS a legacy that will mark his presidency in the history books. Worst ever.
If he wants a different one, it’s a little late now.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:00 pmWhat hasn’t Bush effed up, seriously?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:00 pmBut Badgdad Bill Kristol says the surge is a success!
-GSD
July 16th, 2007 at 2:01 pmReally? He’s F***ed up everything? Now you tell me? Wow! What a shock….
Come on… everything is going according to plan. This is how the Bush Crime Family wanted it….
….and it started the day they got their puppet into office.
And most Americans still refuse to even discuss the greatest F***-up of all, - the biggest lie…the one that made all the others possible.
Read it here: http://tvnewslies.org/blog/?p=648
July 16th, 2007 at 2:01 pmTo #13 Katy –
Bush can avoid the word IMPEACHED the same way Nixon did. All he has to do is resign.
For the sake of this country, I hope he does it AFTER Cheney’s gone, though.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:02 pmNah, he’s cool.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:03 pmHey, Prez! What’s up?!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:05 pmThere’s nothing at stake, you dolt! The “war” is drected at a manufactured “threat”. What’s at stake is how much money they can take from your pocket before your dumb ass figures out what’s going on.
you really haven’t thought about this, have you?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:05 pmMy former mayor, governor, now Senator Voinovich sometimes talks tough (remember when he cried over John Bolton’s nomination), but most often marches along with whatever the Republican party orders him to do. Mr. voinovich cannot stand up to the pressure exerted upon him!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:07 pmAnd Mr Pee makes up yet another alias to play with, as the rest of the site posters are ignoring its shrill shilling.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pmIn the tradition of Caesar, Bush has all but declared himself dictator for life. Will a Senate rebellion follow?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pmWhy be concerned about a legacy which has already been formulated by his lack of any real accomplishments? I’d say it’s a moot point to have concern about something which is already written in stone - the WORST president EVER in the history of this country. That pretty much says it all, without equivocation, and incontrovertibly true.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pmHey, Prez! What’s up?!
Comment by Boudin Bob — July 16, 2007 @ 2:05 pm
—————————————————————–
Not much, I think I’ll take nap… it’s pretty boring in here today.
See you later…
(by the way, do I know you?)
July 16th, 2007 at 2:08 pmI hope he does it AFTER Cheney’s gone, though.
Comment by missmolly
You are referring to Dick “The Insurance Policy” Cheney?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:09 pmI wish the Dems would get more credit from this crowd for being reasonable public servants. If you cant muster up 60 votes to stop a filibuster, you can’t come up with 66 to convict in an impeachment, period. Clinton’s impeachment is nothing more than a conservative talking point. There was never ANY chance that he would be removed from office by conviction in the Senate because there were never any impeachable offenses. I believe it was Doris Kerns Goodwin who wrote that 100 years from now, Clinton’s impeachment will be seen as a gross political aberration and Bush will be seen as the worst president in U.S. history unless we get someone even more incompetent between now and then.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:09 pmBush,Cheney and Rove know they are not coming back and not running for any public office in less than year and half..
It is Voinovich who is worried now.
Bush and Cheney got what they wanted; contractors are happy.
Next year, it is Voinovich and company who are to fight back to win their constituencies votes.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:09 pm(by the way, do I know you?)
Comment by Mr. President
Uh, it’s been pretty clearly demonstarted that the answer to that one is, ahem, “NOT MUCH…”
July 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pmNo kidding, Zooey. His legacy is all he ever thinks about.
It’s really a shame, too, considering how bad it will be.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pmHow many personalities do you have crammed into that small cranium of yours?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:10 pmSad, bu true.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:11 pmIt’s too late for the Bush Cabal to attempt to rewrite history and change their horrendous legacy. We saw how ABC/Disney was shut down by the people when they attempted to present their propaganda piece of rewritten history. The people will have none of what they’re selling. Their reign is over - done - baked - cooked! And, the longer the Repubs allow him to sit in office and continue to embarass himself and all of them, they will suffer the consequences of being “enablers of the worst president ever in the history of this country”. And, as an enabler, they become complicit themselves. This is the kiss of death for their coveted offices and they will never be reelected when their terms expire.
There are people right now eyeing up their seats, just like Cindy Sheehan, simply to unseat them for their complicity in the hijacking of this country.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:11 pmAh, nothing like the republican party to shift responsibility to others. It makes no difference to them that Bush’s policies have been hurting the country for 6 years…but now that their own election chances are hurt they are almost, maybe one day willing to perhaps speak out. OH NO!
And what is extra funny is all these republicans who are obstructing any action the democrats try to take in congress or senate while publicy supporting the same principles. The republicans congress and senate apparantly feel their ONLY job is to rubber stamp Bush’s proposals. They won’t do anything themselves…they will just complain that BUsh isn’t doing what they want. It’s apparantly not THIER fault that they rubber stamp Bush’s bad policies. If only Bush would send them a good policy they could rubber stamp.
This is laughable and shows how clueless the republican party has become. They do nothing and when they feel like they SHOULD, they don’t. They have the power to end the war now, force Bush to change his ways, give troops more time off, etc, etc, etc…but they won’t. They’d rather rubber stamp things they don’t agree with than act on their beliefs and risk making Bush look bad.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:11 pm#28: Ok. Have a good nap, Mr. President. With your workload I’m sure you need those. Meanwhile, I’ll keep drinking some more beer and engage these libruls on this site.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:13 pmGee Voinovich….Bush has $ucked up this war….aren’t you the new master of understatement? Does Voinovich want a brain or a head to put it in?? Wow!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:13 pmBoudin Bob, troll, has just outed himself…time to split! Catch everyone later.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:14 pmPart of the problem recently is all Bush has been thinking about is his legacy, and how the future will look back on his term. Please Voinivich is a day late and a dollar short with his complaints.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:16 pmSgt. Higgins: Are you certain you mean newsbusters? It seems like a bunch of garbage on that blog?? Surely, you must mean Crooks & Liars or something more newsworthy?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:17 pmWith 22 republic senate seats up in 2008, the g.o.p is starting to get a tad nervous.
By the way: Anyone think bushie is going to be a big part of the 2008 republic convention?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:18 pmVeritas: “Their reign is over - done - baked - cooked!”
That may not be all that Bush has ruined. After all, in his life, he’s basically broken everything he’s touched and now, he may have broken the Republican party. He’s bullshitted his way out of everything he’s ever done, but I think the bullshit is over. In spite of Congress’ low ratings, 58% of Americans plan on voting for the Democrat for congress in the next election. 21 Repub Senators are up against only 9 Dems. And, 56% of American plan on voting for the Dem for president no matter who the nominee is against only 28% who say they will support the Repub. Herbert Hoover is always blamed, a little unfairly, for destroying the Republican party for 40 years. Bush will have the same legacy but, in his case, it will be well-deserved.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:22 pmI prefer to think that President Bush has “Cheney-ed” the war in iraq.
I deserve my place in history, too.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:23 pmhelena, instead of having balloons fall from the ceiling, it’ll be effigies of the chymp dangling from ropes.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:23 pmBy the way: Anyone think bushie is going to be a big part of the 2008 republic convention?
Comment by helenahandbasket
July 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pm* * *
Ooh, I hadn’t thought of that! They may have to dig up Ronnie!
OT- Why hasn’t Harriet Miers been charged with Inherent Contempt yet? She defied a subpoena last week and didn’t show up to testify in the House. Either we have a system of justice or we don’t. Please keep calling your rep. and DEMAND that Harriet Miers be charged with Inherent Contempt.
When charged, the Capitol Hill Police and the Sergeant at Arms will handcuff her and drag her to the House. She will go on trial before the House immediately. If she refuses to talk she GOES TO JAIL. She may stay in jail until the term of the House ends.
Then Karl Rove and Dick Cheney are next. INHERENT CONTEMPT.
Nancy Pelosi: 1-202-225-0100
July 16th, 2007 at 2:24 pmHarry Reid: 1-202-224-3542
John Conyers: 1-202-225-5126
What’s to think?
His legacy is assured, set in stone: WORST PRESIDENT EVER!
Illegal war. Trample Constitution and Bill of Rights. Destruction of rule of law. Subverted administration run by theocratic cronies who ignore the law. Signing statement, over 1,000 of them, that ignore the law. A VP Cheney who will rank in history right up there with Satan.
Nope. No worry here. Bush W.’s legacy is no longer in dispute:
WORST PRESIDENT EVER. FAILURE. DESTROYER. CRIMINAL.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:25 pmLarry /C ~ tomorrow the contempt citation is going to be issued.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:28 pmImpeach these guys:
July 16th, 2007 at 2:28 pmhttp://www.pbs.org/ moyers/ journal/ 07132007/ profile.html
Impeach!
Hey wait a second…
July 16th, 2007 at 2:32 pm#50 RUCerious…How do you know?
July 16th, 2007 at 2:33 pmAnnie! Fellow Clevelander! There are too few of us here!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:37 pmBush will be seen as the worst president in U.S. history unless we get someone even more incompetent between now and then.
Comment by Ret. Col. Jack Ripper — July 16, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Someone even more incompetent…
Now that’s funny.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:38 pmNah, he’s cool.
Comment by Mr. President — July 16, 2007 @ 2:03 pm
Hey, Prez! What’s up?!
Comment by Boudin Bob
Mr. President and CT_V1 back at it again. I thought they were kicked out of here.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:42 pmSgt. Higgins: Are you certain you mean newsbusters?
Comment by veritas
Veritas,
that was meant for ace, and ace alone.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:45 pmBy the way: Anyone think bushie is going to be a big part of the 2008 republic convention?
Comment by helenahandbasket
* * *
Ooh, I hadn’t thought of that! They may have to dig up Ronnie!
Comment by bogtrotters
That pretty much sums up republican party - BRAIN DEAD!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:47 pmI”m certainly not a Voinovich fan, but he did rip Sean Insannity a new one of the radio, just days before the Immigration Bill vote.
Insannity kept butting in spewing his agenda, & Voinovich finally just hung up, telling him he wasn’t being respectful & wouldn’t let him talk.
July 16th, 2007 at 2:51 pmThe RNC will be held in St. Paul next August.
A WHOLE BUNCH of Minnesotans are looking forward to raining on that parade!
July 16th, 2007 at 2:52 pmJust seven years ago, Bush and Cheney were The Perfect Conservatives. Conservatives questioned your patriotism if you criticized them in any way. These guys were going to show the world what some real conservatives could do.
July 16th, 2007 at 3:16 pmMr. President and CT_V1 back at it again. I thought they were kicked out of here.
Geez. There really should be a registration and a visible IP-number system here. I’m not Mr. President or CT_V1. Can’t you get your heads around the fact that there are plenty of conservatives on this site, too!?
July 16th, 2007 at 3:22 pmComment by Boudin Bob — July 16, 2007 @ 3:22 pm
You’re always welcome here, Bob!
July 16th, 2007 at 3:37 pmSen. Voinovich is certainly worried about someone’s legacy and it sure ain’t George Bush’s
July 16th, 2007 at 3:44 pmThank you Mr. President.
July 16th, 2007 at 3:51 pmVoinovich talks tough but refuses to vote to end the war or give our troops rest between tours of duty. Voinovich is SPINELESS because he won’t stand up to Bush.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:07 pmThe entire Bush administration has “@#&! ED UP THE WAR”
Impeach em all, and let god sort em out.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:11 pmEven Republicans are sick of Bush’s crap.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:28 pmHere you go with the Republicans bailing out of the burning plane called the Bush Administration.
The fact that traditional conservatives are making the jump indicates that they are starting to hear the folks back home. They are starting to get scared about their own political base. With Congress held by the Democrats and the only strategy one of filibuster, Republicans really have no other way out. Bush and his Gang have no more chips to offer Republican congressmen (and women).
And with the Whitehouse being lost in 2008 and the likely growing majority in Congress, smart Republicans must start thinking of themselves NOW and not wait. Those that are still staying on board the burning airplane hoping Bush and Chaney can bring it in for a safe landing are just delusional.
The next three months will see a lot more Republicans start jumping out the hatch. Sit back and watch the fun.
July 16th, 2007 at 4:37 pmIt is interesting our war(t) in Iraq has so many congruencies to a similar debacle more than 30 years ago. Not the least of which will be the blaming of the failed policy on the opposition party. The corruption with in the administration, a complete lack of insight or acknowledgement of the harsh facts, coupled with inept military leadership and demoralization of the enlisted ranks all smack of 1973.
July 16th, 2007 at 5:01 pmResponding to comment #1 (Ichiban), you wouldn’t happen to know where those two singing fairies from Infant Island are about now? And, do they work on monstrously AWFUL presidents?
July 16th, 2007 at 5:39 pmI’m afraid that Bush is not only thinking about his legacy, but thinks that the only way to salvage it is to “stay the course.” He can’t admit that he screwed everything up — it’s not in his nature and it would be an admission of failure and incompetence that would mar his legacy forever. And the situation in Iraq is far too bleak to fool people again by pulling the troops out while claiming “mission accomplished.”
So the only thing left for Bush to do is to appear to be the full-of-conviction, come-hell-or-high-water stubborn crusader for freedom while riding out his presidency. Then if, by some miracle, something good happens in Iraq in subsequent years, he can always say, “See, I told you it was right to stay the course… never give up on freedom!!” Or, more plausibly, if things just continue along in their chaotic free fall, he can claim either that the new administration didn’t have the vision/courage to stay the course and the further deterioration in Iraq is their fault, or simply let history associate the messy pull out and its successes and failures to the new administration. Certainly it will take a considerable amount of time to redeploy, and as the situation grows worse, every further loss along the way can be pinned on the incompetence of the new administration. I can imagine Bush apologists saying, “Yeah it was bad, but it was never THIS bad… this administration really is screwing things up,” thereby transferring focus away from Bush for the whole mess. Republican or democrat, the new administration will have to be consistent and relentless in reminding people that the only reason we were in Iraq and made this mess was because of the arrogance and incompetence of the current administration.
So, unfortunately I feel that any concerns that Bush may have about his legacy will not incline him towards early redeployment, rather they will make him more resolute on staying the course… that’s just the kind of man he is, I’m afraid.
July 16th, 2007 at 8:30 pmThe most stupid and most incompetent president (or is it Cheney) ever!!!!!
Other than that what is there?
July 16th, 2007 at 8:41 pmWell there is at least one George in Washington DC who isn’t afraid to tell the truth - took him long enough to do it - but he did it.
And I think he should have said that Bush “Cheneyed Up†the war. IMO.
Comment by Ben Dover — July 16, 2007 @ 1:50 pm
Now and then Voinovich has moments of lucidity. After all, he was the only prominent Republican to express doubts about Bolton’s appointment as Ambassador to the UN, though he didn’t go as far as voting against it.
July 16th, 2007 at 10:12 pmMoreover, I believe he is facing re-election next year. He surely doesn’t want to go the way of his former fellow Ohio Senator DeWine.
And Bush F’d up Katrina relief, immigration, the medicare drug program, the war in Afghanistan, healthcare, the justice department, the supreme court, the environment, the Consititution of the United States, America’s opinion in the world, human rights, the military . . . . .
Comment by assman — July 16, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
….and completely murders the english language every time he speaks.
July 17th, 2007 at 12:52 amand another thing,rove actually has to speak with people about the chimp’s legacy?? - why?
There is no legacy except a corrupt and destructive one.
July 17th, 2007 at 10:52 amI don”t think I will ever live to see the best or one of the greatest U.S. Presidencies. But I can say I have lived to see the worst. Bar none George Bush has done more harm to the U.S. and the world than could have been imagined.
August 23rd, 2007 at 9:45 am