<blockquote><font size=1>In reply to:</font><hr><p>Bush cools assault on war critics<br><br>By Evan Osnos<br>Tribune foreign correspondent<br>Published November 21, 2005<br><br>BEIJING -- Amid mounting political acrimony, President Bush on Sunday softened the White House's attack on critics of the Iraq war, saying they have "every right to voice their dissent."<br><br>On a visit to the Chinese capital, Bush and senior administration officials took pains to emphasize that they welcome "an honest, open debate" with Democrats and others who question the handling of the war. Bush specifically cited Rep. John Murtha (D-Pa.), a decorated Vietnam War veteran and longtime armed forces advocate who called last week for the U.S. to withdraw its troops.<br><br>Two days earlier, Bush spokesman Scott McClellan had assailed Murtha, saying his idea would only encourage terrorists and likening him to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore. Bush on Sunday praised Murtha as "a fine man, a good man, who served our country with honor and distinction."<br><br>"I know the decision to call for an immediate withdrawal of our troops by Congressman Murtha was done in a careful and thoughtful way," Bush said in Beijing. "I disagree with his position."<br><br>The bitter battle surrounding Bush's handling of the Iraq war and the debate over whether to withdraw American troops dominated his weeklong trip to Asia and boiled over last week as Republicans and Democrats shouted and insulted each other on the House floor. (continues...)<p><hr></blockquote><p>Bush's statements here aren't all that special. His tolerance for dissent in his war plan has wavered between pretending to listen to critics and shooting the messenger several times in the past few years. This time, however, it's happening when everyone is watching. I wonder how or if that is going to change the plan going forward.<br><br>I hope it does, or else we will have to watch the Republican Party continue to assign blame in all the wrong places. The GOP has a problem with Iraq, not Rep. John Murtha. The GOP has a problem with a White House leak, not Patrick Fitzgerald. The GOP has a problem with improprieties with their House and Senate leadership, not with the people charged with investigating them.<br><br>It's about time that George W. Bush calls for an "open and honest debate." It's just a shame that it takes embarrassing moments in front of the House and sinking popularity to get it done.<br><br>-- Charlie Alpha Roger Yankee Whiskey

the rhetoric war is the only dialogue that many politicians seem to understand; however, i think murtha will win this debate and that the troops will start heading home by the election next year. i am fairly confident that the elections of 2006 will bring much accountability from members of congress towards withdrawal. the president can play his "stay the course" tune while also supporting republicans in congress who are going to do just the opposite to save their seats. frankly, i don't care if the president is allowed to have it both ways as long as the troops are moved out of iraq.<br><br>--<br>"I am mindful that diversity is one of the strengths of the country" --president bush on 9/27/05

Right, I don't worry that Bush won't take it on the chin or any other BS political abstraction. I'm more interested in the end result. People are smart enough in hindsight to see who to hold responsible for this disastrous Iraq policy and any posturing by the president or partisans will probably be seen just as such.<br><br>-- Charlie Alpha Roger Yankee Whiskey

I want to know just WHERE the Troops will be "withdrawing" <br>to before getting all warm and fuzzy over this development.<br><br>Perhaps Murtha has their/our best interest in mind, but I still<br>don't trust GDubya OR Rummy (nor Rice nor Bolton etc. etc.)<br><br>PLUS<br>Please keep in mind that there's STILL Several Hot-Spots<br>ready to boil-over in the Middle East, and a Nation that's<br>made it no secret about pushing any army they can muster<br>24/7/365/5000 that wants all those filthy Muslims dead.<br><br><br><br>*stands back and waits for the explosion*<br><br><P ID="edit"><FONT SIZE=-1><EM>Edited by Celandine on 11/21/05 10:08 AM (server time).</EM></FONT></P>

Yeah I agree - bring the troops home.<br><br>What Murtha is saying is he's talked to many military commanders- home and in Iraq. MANY feel the position is untenable and we have already "lost"-<br><br> Bush wouldn't do what Murtha said over 12 months ago when things were also NOT working. In May 2004, Murtha said either (1) increase efforts or (2) withdraw... Murtha favored #1 then- he felt it was still winnable... <br>Now he doesn't ! The guy has more credability in his little toe, than the whole damm Bush Admin put together!!<br><br>I think Congress GOP will pressure Bush to at least do a partial withdrawal if not total... they DO control purse strings... and they can TRY hold Bush's feet to the fire on his other Bills while not denying the troops their needs. Don't know if it'll work with hard-headed George.<br><br>Several pundits (not that they know) said they were 100% sure by next Nov. elections, we would not have 160,000 troops in Iraq.... it'd be much less or maybe 0. The GOPs in Congress are very worried. I don't know how they'd do that given all GW's "cut and run" rhetoric and not look stupid , but when it comes to idiocy and the Bush Admin there are no limits !!<br><br>David (OFI)<br>

I don't think anyone in the Bush Administration knows how to deal a compromise with Congress because they have never had that kind of relationship. It's always been one marching on the other. The Administration bullied the Iraq War through Congress. Congress pushed all their pet projects over on the White House. They simply don't ask questions of one another.<br><br>That's why things are so different now. People in Congress know that their power is threatened by the President's unpopularity. In that sense, the broad agenda is lost now. It will be interesting to see how the Republicans realign themselves now.<br><br>-- Charlie Alpha Roger Yankee Whiskey

Bush, oh that decoy...<br>try the sheeople instead.<br><br>Meaning<br>who cares if he ever learns a lesson<br>he is but a tiny little decoy used by corporations<br>usually one's his past generation ran<br>which he shall inherit<br>still<br>it's the associates that do the thug work<br>that harm us in the long run<br>raising the level every year<br>to make it harder for the common sense citizens<br><br>u know wazzah people<br><br>period<br><br>Blood remains where corruption temporarily gets away with crime.