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DEL.ICIO.USBush: Independence, character changed history
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
President George W. Bush gots the opportunity he’s earned to address the last GOP convention to be held during his administration. He got 8 minutes — and a loving introduction from the First Lady who has stood by him for 8 tough years in the White House.
She made certain that delegates and the nation remembered his successes — the most important of which is that “President Bush has kept the American people safe” and in the process brought freedom to 50 million people in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Much of his eight minutes was devoted to promoting John McCain as eminently qualified to become Commander-in-Chief. Earlier today, U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss spoke to the Georgia delegation making that point, as well.
On the war in iraq, Chambliss noted the progress that’s been made since the decision was made to add more troops. “Thank goodness, the President finally listened to John McCain,” Chambliss said. “Just what John McCain said has come true.” We are winning, “thanks to the leadership of our Commander-in-Chief and the advice he got from our nominee, John McCain.” said Chambliss.
In his remarks, Bush is effusive in his praise of McCain. After Democrats took control of Congress, they threatened to cut off funds. “In the face of calls for retreat, I ordered the surge of forces into Iraq… One senator above all had faith in our troops and the importance of their mission — and that was John McCain.”
No question this is John McCain’s convention, and some delegates here were not disappointed to see President Bush engaged elsewhere Monday night when he was scheduled to address them, though he got a rousing reception Tuesday night. He got off a couple of really nice lines. When McCain was released from the Hanoi Hilton “his arms had been broken, but not his honor,” said the President. If the enemy did not break his spirit at the Hanoi Hilton, Bush said, “you can be sure the angry left never will.” The crowd went wild.
On success it’s possible to pull troops from Iraq. And on success, it’s possible to talk, however briefly, about the still-dangerous world in which we live. “We need a President who understands the lessons of September 11, 2001: that to protect America, we must stay on the offensive, stop attacks before they happen, and not wait to be hit again.”
Bush said of McCain that his “independence and character helped change history.” The same can certainly be said of George W. Bush.
Comments
By Jay
September 2, 2008 8:56 PM | Link to this
Jim, don’t be so quick to buy into the media talking point that President Bush is not wanted at the convention. Despite polls which are answered by persons who don’t have jobs and are too dumb to use caller ID, President Bush is still hugely popular with many Americans. Lest we all forget he was elected President twice, the second time by a wide margin.
By THINKING AHEAD
September 2, 2008 9:19 PM | Link to this
Per Jim Wooten, Pres. Bush vouching for Sen. John McCain should be “NO BIG DEAL” because “LIFE HAPPENS”. Sen. McCain cheating on his wife while he is married is a story of an “AMERICAN FAMILY”
JIM WOOTEN YOU ARE A HYPOCRITE!!! WHY AREN’T YOU CONDEMNING THE BEHAVIOR OF BRISOL PALIN.
I AM INDEPENDENT WHO WAS GOING TO VOTE FOR SEN. MCCAIN BUT I HAVE CHANGED MY MIND.
By Ray
September 2, 2008 9:52 PM | Link to this
Maybe we ought to have a Congressional Convention and invite all of the most popular politicians to speak, regardless of party. You wingnut libs croak about Bush’s low poll ratings but maybe we could have Nancy address the convention to a roaring audience of about 10 or 12. She could be followed by Harry Reid or Cynthia McKinney then maybe Cold Cash Jefferson or Charles Shumer might just liven up the gathering. Then John Lewis could talk about walking back and forth over Edmund Pettis bridge. Hell, most black teenagers don’t even know where Selma, AL is on the map, let alone the significance of what happened here. Think the media would buy into this. Doubt it. Even they are not stupid enough to let that happen. Bottom line….. this inept, stupid, narrow minded group of people would f* up a two car funeral. How about those numbers in the single digits. And these people spend our money and pass our laws. Damn.
By Davo
September 2, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
On a more serious note, Ron Paul spoke tonight about what it really means to be an American and a conservative, and how things are gonna change.
Goodbye W…I feel we really dodged the bullet with you because…well…your a moron.
Hello Obama…hopefully after 4 years the public will see your drive to socialism and vote you out.
By Davo
September 2, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this
Sorry…forgot to mention McCain. Um…ya…so…how’s it feel to be shot down twice in a lifetime?
By Bush go away
September 2, 2008 10:45 PM | Link to this
Mr. Wooten,
Bush’s “independence and character” changed history? Are you sure your arms weren’t broken at a Republican re-education camp? The Communist Party of China on its best day doesn’t fawn over Chairman Mao the way you just fawned over Bush with that statement.
And about that surge. Of course it’s working. The number of deaths is indeed down. Of course when you topple a regime with no discernable plan in place and allow people to indiscriminatly slaughter each other, eventually there’s no one left to kill.
By Jim
September 2, 2008 10:55 PM | Link to this
What Happened: Inside the Bush White House and Washington’s Culture of Deception (Hardcover) by Scott McClellan (Author)
Your Government Failed You: Breaking the Cycle of National Security Disasters (Hardcover) by ((Richard A. Clarke** (Author)
Study: False statements preceded war By DOUGLASS K. DANIEL, Associated Press Writer 19 minutes ago WASHINGTON - A study by two nonprofit journalism organizations found that President Bush and top administration officials issued hundreds of false statements about the national security threat from Iraq in the two years following the 2001 terrorist attacks. The study concluded that the statements “were part of an orchestrated campaign that effectively galvanized public opinion and, in the process, led the nation to war under decidedly false pretenses.” The study was posted Tuesday on the Web site of the Center for Public Integrity, which worked with the Fund for Independence in Journalism. Four more years – John (George Jr) McCain
By Me
September 2, 2008 10:59 PM | Link to this
Go GOP!!!!!!!!!!! Jerry! Jerry! Jerry!
By Bush go away
September 2, 2008 11:06 PM | Link to this
How embarrassing is it for Bush that his own people consider him such a liability that they tell him, “Um, perhaps you should stay at home and monitor the Weather Channel”?
By rawbreed
September 2, 2008 11:14 PM | Link to this
I wonder how outraged these republican’ts are going to be if they find out that the baby daddy that shows up tomorrow is black? Now THAT would be interesting!
By marko
September 2, 2008 11:17 PM | Link to this
Joy to the world McCain selected Palin! Oh rapture Bristol is in the family way and she’s getting married! Best of all we’ve accomplished our mission in Iraq! Jim we all know that you’re not drinking hurricanes. At least that’s what you said. Inquiring minds want to know what your smoking, and perhaps where they can get some.
By Georgia Gal
September 3, 2008 12:18 AM | Link to this
I loved the Thompson and Lieberman speeches tonight. I just hope and pray that Lieberman got through to those Democrats that he addressed tonight!!!
By Thespis
September 3, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Jay,
It’s fine to be a proponent of a particular party or set of ideals but it would be nice if you had your facts straight.
George Bush hardly won the 2004 election by a wide margin. In fact, while Bush did actually win the popular vote in 2004 (unlike 2000) his victory was by the smallest margin for a sitting President in terms of percentages in American history. In terms of actual numbers his margin was the smallest since 1948 when Harry Truman won.
And before you trot out the tired mantra that he won more votes than any previous Presidential candidate I will concede that is a fact. It is also a fact that the total vote totals were the highest in history which amounts to John Kerry receiving more votes that any Presidential candidate in history save GWB. BOTH received more votes that Reagan did in his landslide victory in 1984.
The smallest margin of victory in the history of the Republic can hardly seen, even through the most partisan eyes, as a wide margin.
By Frederick Douglass
September 3, 2008 12:49 AM | Link to this
Ray @ 9:52, I have some breaking news for you, most white teens don’t know where Selma AL is either. Sounds to me like you have a bad case of sour grapes, your little world of smoke and mirrors has been exposed, and you need someone to blame it on. This McCain/Palin thing is going to get worse if she’s exposed as a liar, which most more than likely is the case. I’ll have to hand it to her though, that lapel pin looks good on her.
By yeswecan!
September 3, 2008 1:15 AM | Link to this
Watching the RNC there is no diversity. It still looked like the good old boys club and their wives and I mean Old!. I think Sarah fits right in she’s a good old girl! or will soon be, just because were women doesn’t mean we agree. Now the Republicans are wearing pins that say they support unwed mothers! talk about Moral flip flopping. America is changing and Republicans are missing the boat! they took the low road. while Obama/Biden come off as better prepared, more classy, intelligent, and caring of the issue’s facing the American People. The RNC has turned this election into a Jerry springer show special! and then claim country first?
By Evelyn
September 3, 2008 1:54 AM | Link to this
Laura Bush was a fine First Lady. She served this country honorably and with grace. And I think absent the Plame incident, the President’s honor would have been fully in tack. He won the heart’s of truly independent folks when he promised he would fire those responsible for the leak. But showed he had feet of clay, in the end, when he learned the truth about the VP’s office, and their involvement. Yes, Jim, I know no crime was proven, but he gave his word to the public, and then broke it. He compromised his principles, for friendship?
Even so, no one should be judged by their weakest moment. George W. served honorably. Tt came at a great cost (loss of life, limb, temporary world standing, financial treasure and privacy). Time will tell if it was worth it all. We should all pray that it was; Lord hear our prayer.
By catlady
September 3, 2008 7:00 AM | Link to this
I cannot stomach one incompetent President on top of this incompetent President. We know McCain can’t do much of anything right. Obama may not be able to, either, but we can have HOPE that he will provide effective leadership. I doubt McCain could lead us out of a paper bag.
Sarah Palin’s nomination is a slap in the face of about half of all Americans.
I have figured out how she was chosen: Months ago, McCain asked his folks to make a spreadsheet of all possible Republican “leaders”, from mayor of large cities on up. Info was gathered on each, and points assigned. For example, NRA membership was worth a point. Having served in the armed forces was 2 points. Having a family member in the service now was 5 points, etc. Then he looked at the top scorers to choose a winner. Of course, Palin could claim one special kind of bonus points—she had quite obviously chosen to avoid abortion with a retarded child. It is pretty hard to trump that. I am guessing that the men who were discarded are pretty mad since they could not prove their credentials that way.
By bearcasey
September 3, 2008 7:06 AM | Link to this
Let’s compare “W’s” war record with McCain’s. Oops, not so good.
Sure, the surge “worked.” It will keep working as long (and not a minute longer)as we keep 150,000 troops there and spend a billion dollars a week. Sound like a good plan?
Iraq is not a real country. Study history!
Gas prices have doubled + while Bush family friends in Saudi Arabia have become even richer.
“W” couldn’t even explain the “mortgage meltdown” much less do anything about it.
Warren G. Harding, U.S. Grant and George W. Bush. Sounds about right to me. PUNISH the Republicans.
By buster brown
September 3, 2008 7:19 AM | Link to this
McCain/Palin such a sweet couple…
http://www.freakingnews.com/Palin-2008-Pictures-54271.asp
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
September 3, 2008 7:30 AM | Link to this
Good morning all. Rational people – obviously omitting our leftist friends – appreciate that George W. Bush made the tough decision to clean out the snake nest that was the Middle East he inherited. He launched the US armed forces to destroy the Taliban, a culture that makes our Luddite leftists look like true progressives, and the Taliban was neutered. He turned his attention to the most evil and powerful country among the Arabic countries, Iraq, and the American military deposed the tyrant and brought peace and stability to an area that had not know same in centuries. More quietly, the US military, working all over the world, destroyed Al Qaeda in Indonesia and in the Philippines, two hot beds of Islamism often off the radar screen.
The American leftists opposed every military move sponsored by George Bush, although they lacked the political courage to so vote. Rather than support our military, they demonized the effort. Even today the lunatics talk about the “failed war,” obviously unable to distinguish up from down.
President Bush’s only meaningful failings were domestic spending, when he emulated democrats. He wasted a fortune supporting Ted Kennedy’s education bill, and Tom Daschle’s agricultural bill. He damaged the US reputation with our international trade partners by supporting the steel quotas pushed by rust belt democrats.
The American leftists cheered those stupid economic moves, apparently oblivious to the damage they caused the US.
When he inherited a failing economy on election, one far weaker than the one we enjoy today, he re-taught the lessons the rational learned from Ronaldus Maximus, and sponsored a massive ten-year tax cut. Less than one year after the tax cut was implemented, the economy roared, and did not slow until the democrats passed a higher minimum wage law and compelled gasoline companies to put food into gasoline. The latter was an especially foolish program, raising the price of food and lowering gas mileage throughout the country. With benefit of hindsight all rational people can see it would have been much smarter to drill off coast of the US, and in ANWR.
Of course, most democrats do not yet grasp the obvious truths of tax cuts. Even now democrats fail to appreciate how much the economy will collapse when the Bush tax cuts expire. Every problem in our country arises from democrat efforts to manage our lives.
On balance President Bush acquitted himself quite well over his eight years, clearly less than Reagan, but maybe on a par with Eisenhower, Bush 41 and Ford, and better than Clinton., Carter, Johnson, and Nixon.
I had gotten out of the habit of reading Dave Berry – in fact, I thought he had retired – but Chairman Ann had a link to his hilarious essay on the democrat convention. Anyone who enjoyed the new jib jab will get a kick out of his off-kilter perspective: http://www.miamiherald.com/living/columnists/dave-barry/story/663017.html
By TW
September 3, 2008 7:31 AM | Link to this
Bearcasey - Surge? The American taxpayer has been paying the sunni to behave. There’s your ‘Surge’. How longe we gonna do that? Just long enough for Bush to set sail so he can disown the impending disaster.
The American people have yet to feel the full brunt of how hard they’ve been screwed by the Republicans.
By Charles
September 3, 2008 7:36 AM | Link to this
I thank God everyday for President Bush and the tough decisions he made for this country - despite the mainstream press’ attacks on his Administration. He has certainly shown character by not lashing out at their distortions of the facts.
My best analogy of a Liberal - as a child we’re told over and over by our parents to brush our teeth to prevent tooth decay despite the moaning and whining of the child. Once the child grows up they realize the parent was only looking out for our future. That’s much like the modern day Liberal with the War on Terror - only some Liberals never grow up.
By Ragnar Danneskjöld
September 3, 2008 7:47 AM | Link to this
In my litany of accomplishments of George W Bush, I neglected to note the area of his greatest achievements, the many appointments of conservative judges. While the leftists whined about Justices Roberts and Alito, practically no leftists disagree with the conservative bloc perspectives on the most controversial cases of our generation, Kelo and the child rape execution ruling. Another area – judicial appointments - where the democrats opposed the rational.
By Bud Wiser
September 3, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this
Following is an interesting read on an email I received. I cannot vouch for the authenticity of the material, because I am just beginning my searches on it and have not found it yet, but Dr Wheeler is a well known conservative writer.
“Written by Dr. Jack Wheeler The O-man, Barack Hussein Obama, is an eloquently tailored empty suit. No resume, no accomplishments, no experience, no original ideas, no understanding of how the economy works, no understanding of how the world works, no balls, nothing but abstract empty rhetoric devoid of real substance. He has no real identity. He is half-white, which he rejects. The rest of him is mostly Arab, which he hides but is disclosed by his non-African Arabic surname and his Arabic first and middle names as a way to triply proclaim his Arabic parentage to people in Kenya . Only a small part of him is African Black from his Luo grandmother, which he pretends he is exclusively. What he isn’t, not a genetic drop of, is ‘African-American,’ the descendant of enslaved Africans brought to America chained in slave ships. He hasn’t a single ancestor who was a slave. Instead, his Arab ancestors were slave owners. Slave-trading was the main Arab business in East Africa for centuries until the British ended it. Let that sink in: Obama is not the descendant of slaves, he is the descendant of slave owners. Thus he makes the perfect Liberal Messiah. It’s something Hillary doesn’t understand - how some complete neophyte came out of the blue and stole the Dem nomination from her. Obamamania is beyond politics and reason. It is a true religious cult, whose adherents reject Christianity yet still believe in Original Sin, transferring it from the evil of being human to the evil of being white. Thus Obama has become the white liberals’ Christ, offering absolution from the Sin of Being White. There is no reason or logic behind it, no faults or flaws of his can diminish it, no arguments Hillary could make of any kind can be effective against it. The absurdity of Hypocrisy Clothed In Human Flesh being their Savior is all the more cause for liberals to worship him: Credo quia absurdum, I believe it because it is absurd. Thank heavens that the voting majority of Americans remain Christian and are in no desperate need of a phony savior. His candidacy is ridiculous and should not be taken seriously by any straight thinking American. Pass this on to every straight thinking American you know! Dr. Jack Wheeler “
By marko
September 3, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this
Mr Wooten, I’m a sorry about my earlier comment. I feel I was being a little too hard on you. It must be difficult to not be carried away when your surrounded by hordes of fellow rightnicks wearing silly hats. Still, can you make a little effort to be a bit less rosey in your observations? Hate to break this to you old fella, but the Gippers gone and it aint morning in America anymore. We’re hopelessly debt. Now I know That if Ronnie was still here he’d tell us not to worry about that silly old deficit. After all we owe the money to ourselves. Well not exactly we are borrowing money from Red China to liberate Iraq. Iraqi oil money was supposed to pay for this mess, but that quaint notion slipped through the cracks somewhere. A once great political party that stood for limited goverment and fiscal responsiblity is swimming in red ink and forcing right wing theology down our throats. If I may borrow one of the rights favorite lines, Show me a man that does’nt love Ronald Reagan and I’ll show you a man with no heart; show me a man that agrees with his economic policies, and I’ll show you a man with no brain. It’s a shame that there are’nt any real republicans anymore the country could really use some about now.
By Goldie
September 3, 2008 8:16 AM | Link to this
Bush said of McCain that his “independence and character helped change history.” The same can certainly be said of George W. Bush.
Yes, Wooten— your guy Bush has definitely changed history, and thereby has demolished your Party for the next decade or more!
By Goldie
September 3, 2008 8:25 AM | Link to this
Let’s see, about McBush’s independence and character: He didn’t vote just one time against Dubya’s tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans — he voted against them twice. And then during the Repug primaries, McBush decided it was time to change his mind and support Dubya’s tax cuts for the wealthiest. Now that’s some kinda character!
And how much “character” does it take to vote in favor of waterboarding for torture’s sake, after having stated over and over that he would never support torturing our prisoners? Was the flip-flopping point for McBush actually when he gotted “BOOED” by the right-wingnuts during the debates upon declaring that he did not support torture???
Some kinda “character” your Party’s got there with McBush…
By Captain Freedom
September 3, 2008 9:24 AM | Link to this
THE Captain wishes to highlight yet another egregious example of the horrific bias of the MSM and their liberal hatred of Real America.
Last night, during the dazzling extravaganza in St Paul (shout out for Rachel Lampa—-woooooo!!!!), the television networks seemed to go out of their way to find the few people (out of the several hundreds gathered there) who were sleepy and bored. Was it really necessary to show us octogenarians like Wooten trying to stifle yawns during the riveting presentation of Laura Bush?
(And was it really appropriate to show Bush 41 diligently inspecting his iglets during Bush 43’s stirring remarks from his Castle? The media wants you to think that Bush 41 could not be bothered to listen to anymore of the wastrel son’s bu||shi+. Talk about distortion!!)
After all, how many yawning, sleeping, bored to tears delegates did the networks show during the Dummycrat convention? Not one, that’s how many!! And given that there were exponentially more people at that event than in Minnesota this week, you would think it would have been easy to find at least couple of doddering old pharts who were up way past their bedtime.
Even worse…last night, the MSM constantly cut away to the reaction of the same Negro couple, giving the impression that there were none other to be seen. Compare again to the coverage of the Dumbocrat party…always showing a vast sea of multi-ethnicity, giving the false impression that the Donkey party represents a wide range of so-called america. And this week, showing the same tired pair of GOP negro people, over and over, as though We do not represent All Americans, even those with an overabundance of melanin or names that are spelled funny and hard to pronounce. I fear that these good not-white persons will be dragged into the public eye again and again as the week slouches endlessly onward. How cruel.
Sadly, THE Captain can only surmise that this distortion of the GOP as a party of aging white men and their devoted stepford women will somehow be transferred to the image of St John and his ultra-hot-yet-appropriately-submissive running mate. It just ain’t fair, dammit, even if the sight of the two of them together brings to mind Anna Nicole whoozit and that ole guy she f*******|
Finally, cannot the networks even admit to and spotlight the courage and sacrifice the brave delegates exhibited by enduring the meandering drone of the Connecticut Cr@pweasel? Sweet mercy! Talk about sacrifice! You would never see the Dimmycr@ps put up such a miserable failure of public speaking in their prime time spot. And that’s the difference between Us and them. They are afraid, and therefore worked hard to present a dazzling high-energy convention. But We of True Belief are confident that We are Right, and have no need to make much of an effort with Our convention. For God will deliver victory to us in November, with a little help from various secretaries of state and Diebold malfunctions.
THE Captain has spoken.
By actonjoe
September 3, 2008 10:57 AM | Link to this
Yes, Bush changed history. And my children, and their children, will still be working to undo the monumental mess he has made. (They’ll also still be paying down Bush’s debt long after he and his cronies are dead.) And they’ll wonder—“What were people THINKING when they re-elected him?”
By Get a life
September 3, 2008 12:06 PM | Link to this
Ragnar Danneskjöld I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…GET A LIFE. You spout your mindless dribble over and over and make yourself and your party look foolish. Lies, hypocrocy,and the past are all you cling to while the rest of the world move into the 21st Century. You are so bitter and uneducated you can’t even admit when you are wrong, or when someone in your party makes a complete mistake, like your boy McSame.
Here are some facts: - John McSame did very little vetting of his VP choice. - McSame and the Repugants think women are mindless and will follow Palin because she is a woman. What you fail recognize is that she is againts the basic rights Hillary and all other logical women have been fighting for. - McSame and the Repugants think Democrats and Jews inparticular are mindles, and will follow a slimmy little traiter Lie-berman, when he now stands with the same group of people who support nations that want the destruction of Israel.
So, while you keep hitting the refresh button to see if anyone has responded to your mindless dribble, know that here is one for you, and get a life.
By just me
September 3, 2008 1:03 PM | Link to this
How can we claim that Bush kept us safe when 9/11 happened on his watch? Not Clinton, not GHWB, not Reagan and not even Carter, but on HIS watch.
Next, everybody talks about Reagan lowering taxes (which he did in his first term), but he also raised taxes THREE TIMES!!!
If we had a SURGE of 40,000 police officers in Atlanta, crime would immediately go down. And it would stay down as long as you keep those extra cops there. If you remove the cops, crime goes back up. Same thing in Iraq.
McCain cheated on his wife to get Cindy, so let’s not vote him in since we tried to impeach the last POTUS caught cheating on his wife.
How many fighter pilots get shot down 4 times before the military says they should be on a desk job?
I was president of my fraternity chapter in college for 2 years. I am qualified to run for VP now.
So, if Palin’s husband had been successful in getting Alaska to secede from the Union, then could we call him unpatriotic, or is that only reserved for Democratic spouses of color?
Come on Jim. You keep asking for the truth, but your side just won’t tell it.
By Jamie Roberts
September 3, 2008 1:55 PM | Link to this
What I don’t understand is, why do Republicans always get a pass on the behavior that they are legislating against. The Republicans want a marriage amendment, yet Dick Cheney’s daughter is openly lesbian and several Republican legislators turned out to be gay. Republicans want to cut off benefits for single mothers, yet they celebrate the one whose mom is running for Vice President. Yet when anyone tries to point this out, its always ‘shame on you for dragging (said Republican’s) name through the mud. Why can’t Republicans live the way they expect everyone else to? This to me is true elitism and hypocrisy.
By Bruinfan
September 3, 2008 5:23 PM | Link to this
My favorite line is that McBush’s campaign manager says this election is “not about issues”. Nice to admit they gave up on that, since they can’t win on real issues. Wow, he is really going to get chastized by the RNC for admitting their strategy.
Better to waive the flag and proclaim your patriotism and make people afraid of religious extremists. Why not, it worked the last two times? And I am definitely afraid of both Christian and Islamic extremists.
By Bruinfan
September 3, 2008 5:25 PM | Link to this
My favorite line is that McBush’s campaign manager says this election is “not about issues”. Nice to admit they gave up on that, since they can’t win on real issues. Wow, he is really going to get chastized by the RNC for admitting their strategy.
Better to waive the flag and proclaim your patriotism and make people afraid of religious extremists. Why not, it worked the last two times? And I am definitely afraid of both Christian and Islamic extremists.