White House Stands Behind Cheney’s Attacks On Murtha And Pelosi

Yesterday, Vice President Cheney attacked House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) for supporting Iraq redeployment:

CHENEY: I think, in fact, if we were to do what Speaker Pelosi and Congressman Murtha are suggesting, all we’ll do is validate the al Qaeda strategy. … I think that’s exactly the wrong course to go on. I think that’s the course of action that Speaker Pelosi and Jack Murtha support. I think it would be a huge mistake for the country.

Q Is that policy that we hear from the Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi — from other Democrats, is that a policy of defeat?

CHENEY: Yes.

Today, a reporter asked White House Deputy Press Secretary Dana Perino about Cheney’s comments. She refused to disavow them:

QUESTION: Was he at all out of line in making those comments?

PERINO: The Vice President out of line? Absolutely not. He was questioning the merits of the — of their proposal.

It’s no surprise that President Bush supports Cheney’s attacks. In the lead-up to the 2006 elections, Bush’s message was that his opponents want “America to lose and the terrorists to win.” Watch it:

Digg It!

Transcript:

BUSH: However they put it, the Democrat approach in Iraq comes down to this: The terrorists win and America loses.

[Snip]

BUSH: In all these vital measures for fighting the war on terror, the Democrats in Washington follow a simple philosophy: Just say no. When it comes to listening in on the terrorists, what’s the Democratic answer? Just say no. When it comes to detaining terrorists, what’s the Democrat answer?

AUDIENCE: Just say no!

BUSH: When it comes to questioning terrorists, what’s the Democrat answer?

AUDIENCE: Just say no!

BUSH: When it comes to trying terrorists, what’s the Democrat’s answer?

AUDIENCE: Just say no!