When does George Bush plan on apologizing for this?
    Iraq: Indications and Warnings of Civil Conflict
The chart above, indicating a progressive, critical, and nearly chaotic status in Iraq was issued approximately two weeks ago by the US Central Command.
The White House alleges Iran and Syria are plotting to overthrow the government in Lebanon.
John Kerry issues an apology:
As a combat veteran, I want to make it clear to anyone in uniform and to their loved ones: my poorly stated joke at a rally was not about, and never intended to refer to any troop.
I sincerely regret that my words were misinterpreted to wrongly imply anything negative about those in uniform, and I personally apologize to any service member, family member, or American who was offended.
It is clear the Republican Party would rather talk about anything but their failed security policy. I don’t want my verbal slip to be a diversion from the real issues. I will continue to fight for a change of course to provide real security for our country, and a winning strategy for our troops.
Keith Olbermann’s common sense view on John Kerry’s remarks and the Bush administration’s interpretation.
The message of this new Democratic ad is clear - The Republican Congress is equally accountable for the problems created by the Bush administration.
Byron York unjustifiably implies Josh Marshall at TPM has a passive role in Mike Star’s altercation with George Allen.
If you have kept up, you know that left-wing bloggers have been agitating for the release of the records from Allen’s divorce from his first wife, Anne. There is a rumor among those bloggers that the records will reveal an allegation that Allen spit on Anne Allen, and the bloggers have been angry that press outlets have not reported the story.
Last week, when the Allen campaign pointed to sexually exotic passages in Webb’s novels, some of those bloggers saw an opportunity. On Thursday, Josh Marshall, of TalkingPointsMemo, wrote that Allen had crossed some sort of line by “mining Jim Webb’s novels for sex scenes.”
“If Allen really wants to play rough,” Marshall wrote, “maybe it’s time for some Democrats to start going on the shows and asking about that sealed divorce records of Allen’s. All those reporters have a pretty good idea of what’s in there. But Sen. Allen (R-VA) just won’t agree to let them see it.”
Just to make his point perfectly clear to anyone plugged in to the story, Marshall added: “It’s almost like [Allen] is spitting in their face.”
That’s where Mike Stark came in. His bit of theater with Allen in Charlottesville got wide coverage.
Par for the course for the National Review.
I have updated the post, More on George Allen / Mike Stark Confrontation. After checking around a bit, I understand the Charlottesville police response is rather routine. No indication of preferential or indifferent treatment.
I will be doing some site maintenance tonight. It should be transparent, but you may notice some anomalies.
George Bush has done exactly what I warned about yesterday. The news networks have not talked about anything other than Kerry’s statements this morning. Tony Snow, at his press briefing rambles on about Kerry should apologize, and goes as far as to say, “I’m just trying to help you guys — I’m throwing him a lifeline.” A lifeline indeed.
Let’s step back a moment. Who started this bar room brawl? The President exploded the bomb with accusations based on his interpretation - self-serving no doubt. If anybody should be giving mea culpas, George Bush should. Think about it, why are the troops in Iraq? How did they get there? It is well established that George Bush et. al., lied countless times for personal and ideological reasons and started the war in Iraq. 101 troops died in Iraq during October. Almost 3,000 troops have died since the war started. Thousands of troops have sustained substantial, life-altering injuries, and tens of thousands of civilians have died. But, we “stay the course.”
George Bush, because of his numerous lies, deceptions, and misfeasance, should be making apologies. But, we “stay the course.”
Moreover the Democrats are falling victim to Bush’s prey. Conquer and divide. Divide and conquer. Some Democratic candidates are asking Kerry to apologize. For what? What should be happening is the uniting of Democrats against this unjustified blast from George Bush. The Dems need to pull together and tell George Bush and the American people we will not tolerate the President’s twist, spin and purposeful misinterpretation. Many Democrats are acting like whipped puppies, running with their tail tucked between their legs instead of standing firm. Are they ever going to stop acting as surfs to the King?
The Democrats need to turn this whole thing around into who should really apologize. If we weren’t there, we would not have this silly bar room brawl nor the unjustified deaths of tens of thousands innocent people.
[Editorial note: The transcript of Snow's press briefing is not available as of this post. I will update with the appropriate reference when it becomes available.]
Sen. George “Macaca†Allen (R-VA) accused Jim Webb (D) of orchestrating the altercation yesterday between Allen, his staffers, and Mike Stark.
Allen aides accused Democrats and the Webb campaign of orchestrating the event as a way of getting news organizations to write about the Internet rumor. “These are the typical Jim Webb tactics,†said spokesman Dan Allen, no relation to the senator. “It was disappointing to see, and this certainly has no place in Virginia politics.â€
First, it is time for any baseless accusations to stop from all campaigns. If the candidate cannot prove negative allegations, then don’t make them. Furthermore, the media, constituents, etc. should demand proof; if no proof, then the candidate or affiliated agencies are deemed, by default, as blowing smoke.
George Allen pulled this accusation out of the air. Like father, like son (replace with Bush, Allen). It clearly shows Allen’s desperation.
Second, the Charlottesville police are supposedly investigating the incident. A lieutenant in the department said, “We will find out who the people are, give him the information and he can go to the magistrate and try to obtain a warrant for them.†This sounds like a bit of a brush off to me. Would the Charlottesville police department take the same approach if the same circumstance occurred between a few average, local, men outside a restaurant or bar? I think not. I don’t know what really happened, but the local law enforcement should not provide preferential treatment or be indifferent because George Allen was involved. [See late update at end of post.]
Following is a press statement released by Macaca and Friends.
For Immediate Release:
October 31, 2006
Contact: Press Office 703.845.3689
Democrat Activist Verbally Attacks Allen
Allen Campaign Demands Webb Restrain Out of Control Supporter
ARLINGTON, VA - At the conclusion of a well attended event in Charlottesville, a Webb supporter wearing an Allen sticker aggressively went after Senator Allen, who was at an event with his wife Susan and Senator Elizabeth Dole, screaming that he answer inappropriate questions.
As the Senator was trying to exit the room with a campaign staffer, the Democrat activist, identified as Mike Stark, pushed the Allen staffer. Later, volunteers restrained him and asked to leave the building when he approached the Senator a second time, asking inappropriate questions.
This was not the first time that Stark, a frequent Daily Kos blogger, has aggressively confronted Senator Allen in front of TV cameras and been removed from the premises by event security. In August, Stark was asked to leave a Holiday Inn by management “after he became combative†while interrupting a press conference with Senator Allen. (Chris Graham, “Webb Supporter Asked to Leave Allen Event after N-Word Question,†Augusta Free Press; August 25, 2006).
Stark has a history of violent outbursts on the Daily Kos, an extreme left-wing website, such as his post “The F*****g Way…Take These RNC F*****s Downâ€. Daily Kos Link < †target=_blank>http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/4/12/02847/6131BY>
He also posted his intention last night on his blog, Calling All Wingnuts, which is subtitled “Kickin’ a*s on the lyin’ side: A never-ending battle against stupid, ugly, deceitful and corrupt right-wing water carriers…†in which he wrote in reference to stalking Senator Allen,â€So yeah… I miss doing this stuff - it seemed that at least once a month, something would happen that really got the adrenaline flowing… I miss those tasty morsels of victory.†( www.callingallwingnuts.com < †target=_blank>http://www.callingallwingnuts.com/> ; Accessed October 31, 2006)
- # # # -
Paid for by Friends of George Allen
(Editorial Note: The links displayed above are not the result of a programming error. This is an exact copy of the published item).
The garbaged Internet addresses, etc. are displayed here exactly as they are by the source.
Late Update: After checking around a bit, I understand the Charlottesville police are following rather routine procedures that do not indicate preferential or indifferent treatment.
Is anybody going to really fall for this? Want to bet on if Bush can even remember where Darfur is on November 8.
President Bush vowed Tuesday to address the growing humanitarian crisis in the Darfur region of Sudan, where the government has resisted a United Nations proposal to deploy a 21,000-person peace-keeping force to end the violence.
“The United States is going to work with the international community to come up with a single plan on how to address this issue and save lives,” Bush said. “And Andrew is going to work with other partners in peace, and they’ll take that plan to the current government of Sudan.”
John Kerry lambasted George Bush for twistng what was intended to be criticism of Bush. Good for him. If he had taken this approach in 2004, the swift boat smear would have capsized.
You are currently browsing the The Political Chase weblog archives for the day Wednesday, November 1st, 2006.
The Political Chase is powered by WordPress 2.5.1 and Unnamed 1.23 by Xu Yiyang
Entries (RSS) and Comments (RSS)
