Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Bush Blitzkrieg
At the risk of repeating myself, let's take a look at last Thursday's post: "[Democrats] need to make the case for taking control of Congress, because one can never underestimate the power of the incumbent party."
To slightly rephrase that point: Never underestimate the power of the White House to change the narrative -- especially during an election year.
In the space of five days:
1. The Republicans won a congressional special election.
2. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is slain through coalition air strikes.
3. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki finally forms a cabinet.
4. Karl Rove learns he will not be indicted by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
5. President Bush makes a surprise visit to Iraq to meet with al-Maliki and U.S. troops.
Two very powerful political messages being sent today:
1. President Bush will stay with Iraq -- regardless of criticism from all sides and the war's unpopularity at home.
2. For the third election in a row, Democrats have to figure out how to combat the Bush-Rove strategy of war on terror/national security/Iraq. Haven't done it yet -- and given the events of the last few days, they are going to have a big struggle again this year.
Technorati Tags: war on terror, Iraq, foreign policy, George W. Bush
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To slightly rephrase that point: Never underestimate the power of the White House to change the narrative -- especially during an election year.
In the space of five days:
1. The Republicans won a congressional special election.
2. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi is slain through coalition air strikes.
3. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki finally forms a cabinet.
4. Karl Rove learns he will not be indicted by special prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald.
5. President Bush makes a surprise visit to Iraq to meet with al-Maliki and U.S. troops.
Two very powerful political messages being sent today:
1. President Bush will stay with Iraq -- regardless of criticism from all sides and the war's unpopularity at home.
2. For the third election in a row, Democrats have to figure out how to combat the Bush-Rove strategy of war on terror/national security/Iraq. Haven't done it yet -- and given the events of the last few days, they are going to have a big struggle again this year.
Technorati Tags: war on terror, Iraq, foreign policy, George W. Bush
