Most of this comes from the weekly radio addresses I think.
First, Bush. AOL News' headline is a bit
disturbing:
"Axis of Evil" tops Bush's second-term agenda. Get ready for the draft I guess. But first some stuff on Iraq:
The article goes on to note this:
War and reconstruction in Iraq are likely to continue to command more attention than any other international issues, at least for the first couple of years of Bush's new four-year term.
Um, two years, that's it, Iraq will be fine. Ok. So then will they start throwing flowers and candy at us? Judging by Bushco's planning of this war, I dont see us out of there or at least a somewhat stable Iraq in two years. How about putting your full attention on to that for a while, Mr President. Leave Iran alone for now.
more below the fold
Some conservatives, like Max Boot of Council on Foreign Relations, see Iraq moving in a positive direction:
"The odds are in our favor, but defeat is not out of the question," Boot said. "I think it's 60-40 in our direction."
The next sentence mentions the largest Sunni party has boycotted the election, certainly not a good sign.
Back in the reality-based community:
Delaware Sen. Joe Biden, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said he found the security situation in Iraq worse during a trip in December than on three previous visits since the invasion.
"We muddle through for the next year, declare victory after the second election and leave, and then there would be chaos," Biden said. Or, "level with the American people and tell them we're going to be muddling through for the next four years, or longer."
Biden is, I believe, at least the fourth U.S. Senator to travel to Iraq and describe a worsening situation than when they visited last year. Dianne Feinstein said the same, as did two Republicans Lincoln Chafee and John Warner. Chafee recalled that even the green zone wasnt safe this time around, and that the take-off out of Baghdad was rocky. Of course, Joementum, says it's going great! God, he makes me want to puke.
Another article mentioned the Dems' goals for 2005, that is at least the House Democrats(again from the weekly radio address):
The vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus used his party's weekly radio address to call on lawmakers and President Bush to ensure that troops have adequate equipment.
Clyburn also outlined the Democratic Party's priorities in 2005. They include protecting Social Security, lifting children out of poverty, expanding health insurance coverage and making college education more affordable.
Regarding Social Security, Clyburn says Congress should resolve to avoid jeopardizing the safety net and not let younger workers be allowed to invest some of their payroll taxes, as the president proposes.
Good goals, on paper, we'll see what happens. Clyburn gets it when it comes to SS. Hopefully others in the House (cough * Harold Ford * cough) also get it. Thoughts?