I've been hearing for a couple of weeks now that President Bush's latest approval ratings are about 28%. That seems kinda low to me. (Sarcasm alert)
But on KROQ the past couple of days, they've been playing this clip of Dick Cheney speaking to the troops in Iraq. He wishes them well and "brings greetings from the folks at home and your Commander in Chief, George W. Bush". And is greeted by dead silence. Short pause, then he says "don't hold back now" and people laugh and start applauding.
But seriously, don't you figure, if there's any group that's going to at least pay token respect to the Pres and Dick Cheney, it's going to be US troops?
Guess not.
Well, couldn't happen to a more deserving pair of guys, imho.
But on KROQ the past couple of days, they've been playing this clip of Dick Cheney speaking to the troops in Iraq. He wishes them well and "brings greetings from the folks at home and your Commander in Chief, George W. Bush". And is greeted by dead silence. Short pause, then he says "don't hold back now" and people laugh and start applauding.
But seriously, don't you figure, if there's any group that's going to at least pay token respect to the Pres and Dick Cheney, it's going to be US troops?
Guess not.
Well, couldn't happen to a more deserving pair of guys, imho.
Comments
But, that is an out of context sound byte. From what I've seen, Bush has a LOT of support from the troops. Particularly when compared to the Congress that is using them as a political toy.
Bush is at 32% - his all time low. But, Congress is right there with him at 32%. They pretty much all suck right now and gas prices are going up. I don't think anyone is very happy.
Q
I wouldn't be surprised to find the clip's taken out of context. They played another clip of Cheney a few weeks ago when he was being interviewed (on Fox, I assume) where he came across as a complete dismissive, arrogant asshole ("Do you think Hilary Clinton would make a good president" "No. She's a Democrat.") When I came across the actual soundbite, he was still an arrogant, dismissive asshole, but that's who Dick Cheney is. But he did go on to expound on his reasons why he didn't believe Clinton would make a good president. While I might (or might not) disagree with those, at least it's better than a simple "she's a Democrat" answer. But even if it's taken out of context, it is interesting to hear that lack of reaction when Cheney sends his greetings from the President. What WAS going on that would lead to that silence?
As for Bush, I would actually hope that he does have a the support of the troops. The military losing basic respect and support for the President sounds like a disaster waiting for a place to happen. Besides, I would think right now that most of their ire would be directed at Congress, as they play politics with funding.
Which, of course, brings us to that approval rating. I'd actually heard 28%, but that was a couple of weeks ago. Maybe he's bumped up a bit since then. And I'd also heard that he and Congress are in something of a race to the bottom. Can't say I'm surprised. It cost me over $40 to fill my tank yesterday… close to twice what it did a little over a year ago. All the "our economy is doing well" BS in the world isn't going to make that any more palatable, especially when I'm filling that tank twice a week. And that's the LEAST of my concerns when it comes to Congress and the President (and the Supreme Court, the Attorney General, the Middle East… the list of fuck-ups runs mighty fucking long).
Have you seen the news regarding this possible Bloomberg/Hagel ticket? Michael Bloomberg (mayor of NYC) and Chuck Hagel (senator- Nebraska) may run for Prez on a third party ticket. Apparently, they would have ONE BILLION DOLLARS to campaign on. And, they would not START their campaign until next year, after the primaries (they don’t need a primary as a 3rd party ticket). That would mean they would have MUCH more campaign money than the 2 parties combined.
Pretty interesting. Of course, they won’t win and I despise their politics…but, if they do it, it will take a NASTY chunk out of Hilary’s votes.
(I'm assuming, of course, based on your "despise their politics" and "take a chunk out of Hilary's numbers" comments that they ARE tending toward the liberal end of the spectrum. Either way, though… spare me.)
I don't think moderates agree that neo-cons are the problem. I consider myself a moderate and I think the GW Bush and the Dems are the problem right now. I'll be glad to see them both go if I get my way.
Unless you are thinking of a different neo-con movement than I am. I'm thinking of the Giuliani, pro-fixing Iraq not leaving, pro-states rights, pro-tax cuts, pro-govt. spending cuts, pro-defense, pro-border security, pro-drilling in Alaska movement.
Is that the movement you think is the problem? Or another one?
I'm not a fan of Giuliani, and could probably debate what I thought of some of those issues (strangely, I'm in favor of fixing Iraq, now that we broke it), but I'm less bothered by a traditional Republican ticket than I am the bastards that have been running things (into the ground... couldn't resist) for the past 6 years.
My problem with the running into the ground over the past 6 years is that I think it happened because of unfettered power. WHOEVER wins the presidential race, I am now very firmly of the opinion that congress should be run by a majority of the opposite party. An all Republican congress/executive screwed us because power is corrupting.
Reagan had to deal with a Dem controlled congress and he accomplished a lot. I know you don't like him, but history is very kind to him and will grow kinder. Clinton had a Republican congress and got a lot done. I think it just works better.
Bush and Co. parlayed our post 9/11 fears and a party line Congress into some of the worst abuses of Executive power in recent memory. (IMHO, of course.)
And Cheney's very willing to acknowledge that was his intent all along. (The "strengthening of the President", not the abuse of power, per se.)
My contempt for them knows no bounds.