"White House Shifts Blame" says the WaPost headline over a story that details Bush's efforts to strip the Louisiana governor and New Orleans mayor of authority and absolve himself, FEMA, or any of his loyal lackies of any responsibility.
Thousands dead. Bush fakes photo op; food, construction props removed when cameras leave. Northcomm says it waited days on Bush order to enter New Orleans. Quarter million refugees. Iraq war rages. Now Rehnquist has died. Roberts nomination up. Estate tax repeal up. We must bury this monster in defeat at every turn.
I know Democratic pollsters are urging caution on their clients. I've been there before, and can tell you what they're saying without seeing the research. "Americans are turning on Bush, but they don't want to hear politicians politicizing his Katrina disaster." Bullshit.
Here's how the NYTimes describes the Democratic strategy:
The silence of many prominent Democrats reflects their conclusion that the president is on treacherous political ground and that attacking him would permit the White House to dismiss the criticism as partisan politics-as-usual, a senior Democratic aide said.
Bullshit.
The man is not qualified to be president. Want a justifiable excuse to bust Roberts? Just say, "Bush appointed him." Filibuster the replacement for Rehnquist. Hell, filibuster everything, start impeachment proceedings, investigate the New Orleans disaster, tie up the White House in criminal investigations, civil depositions, Congressional hearings. March on the White House and stay there. Beat every Republican who votes with him or defends him publicly.
What has given Bush the confidence to let thousands die, fake recovery efforts for the cameras, delay real assistance, blame others for the delay, continue to let (poor) Americans die in Iraq, continue to cut taxes for the very, very rich, destroy public education and health care, desimate the environment?
Not votes. He had to steal two elections. It's our timidity. Thanks in large part to sites like Kos, to online activist organizations, to the zealotry of a few stalwarts, we are growing bolder. Thank god for that.
But failing to take Bush down, or at least his entire agenda, would be like watching a mugging or a murder without intervening or calling the cops.
Bush's character is now decided.
It's our character that's in question.