WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration may have to consider extending its June 30 deadline for the transfer of sovereignty in Iraq or risk seeing the country lapse into civil war, the head of the U.S. Senate’s foreign relations panel said on Sunday.
Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar of Indiana and the panel’s ranking Democrat, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, said in separate interviews that more troops may be needed to stabilize Iraq amid growing violence including deadly clashes in a Shi’ite section of Baghdad that killed seven U.S. soldiers…
A Bush spokesman said later that the White House stood by the June 30 deadline…
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“It’s extremely important that the Iraqis experience the feeling of ‘running’ their ‘own’ ‘country’ as soon as possible,” said White House spokesman Brian Besanceney, setting a new White House record for “air quotes” used in a single sentence.
Besanceney went on to say that delaying the transfer of power would turn Iraq into a “political football” in this election year. “The American people deserve to be able to make their choice based on what the candidates are promising and what their plans for the future are, and not be distracted by ancient history or what may or may not be allegedly ‘happening’ in some far-flung corner of the world that the Democrats are obsessed with.”
This new tactic was illustrated by the Bush campaign’s latest attack ad, which concludes with a voice intoning, “Tell John Kerry that the war is over, and that you care about what real Americans are doing in America right now. Vote for America’s American President, George Bush.”
Fanny Roborat
8 comments
Bob
April 5, 2004 at 5:55 pm
1We’ve spent over 600 lives and somewhere in the vicinity of $100 billion to create a political vacuum that religious fanatics and terrorists can now decorate to suit their own tastes. How nice for us.
Murray
April 5, 2004 at 7:00 pm
2Yea, but if it elects Bush, they will feel it was all well worth it.
tim
April 5, 2004 at 7:09 pm
3White House press briefing, July 1:
“Scott, what does the White House have to say about last night’s bombings and riots in Iraq after the transfer of power?”
(hands over ears) “LA LA LA LA LA I can’t hear you! Any questions about the President’s re-election campaign?”
Don
April 5, 2004 at 8:38 pm
4I’m certain that the events that the news just told me have been happening in Iraq tomorrow morning will give the Iraqi’s an increased feeling that they are running their country.
Anonymous
April 5, 2004 at 10:39 pm
5I like the part of “feeling” of running their own country (which is distinct from actually running their own country).
Is that an actual quote? “… distracted by ancient history …” Maximum peurility all around, thank you very much.
Again, actual quote? “… America’s American President …” I’m sorry, but I can’t tell if you’re making that up (since it is so like those weasels occupying Toad Hall, I mean the White House).
Anyway, that isn’t what I came here to mention. I am visiting (after a long hiatus — have you ever been on one of those? — can be very relaxing, if the palm leaves don’t blow in your face o’er much) because I was amusing myself about recent events. You know how Bush and Cheney are going to be questioned together, by the 9-11 Ommission? Well, for a lot of us that just adds merit to our inkling early in this misadministration that Cheney was really the one in most direct charge. (I really believe that “they” would have preferred ol’ Dannel Quayle, but he was judged “damaged goods”, so they couldn’t run him as the front-stooge.) So I was wondering if we’re looking at “W” correctly. Maybe he’s really an “M” on his head. Think about it: martinet, marionette, and yet, maybe even Martin Marietta, no? Just a thought.
Ta. (You can call me Fishmael.)
Anonymous
April 6, 2004 at 12:16 am
6TA you are a genius
Mary
April 6, 2004 at 9:23 am
7Fishmael-
That fits with Charlie Pierce’s statement about he couldn’t wait to see Chenney drink a glass of water while Shrub was testifying ;-D
Jerry
April 7, 2004 at 3:48 am
8Bob, I have not read a more concise and comprehensive analysis anywhere.