Originally posted at Meme of the Day.
This probably isn't news to you. Most of us have known it for years. This time it is different though. Tonight, in his address to the nation, the decider will announce his plans to put an additional 20,000+ young americans in harms way. This is despite overwhelming opposition and the general feeling amongst the population that he is sacrificing american lives and security in an attempt to bolster his legacy.
As Bush has mentioned before, he doesn't pay attention to public opinion polls. This seems to be especially true when the results of these polls are in direct opposition to his plans. Tony Snow recently addressed this very topic:
"The president will not shape a policy according to public opinion," Snow said. "But he does understand that it's important to bring the public back to this war and restore public confidence in support for the mission."
Unfortunately for the President, as Stephen Colbert famously pointed out, "reality has a well known liberal bias."
Lets take a look back to the first Presidential press conference after Bush narrowly defeated John Kerry in 2004.
After the first question Bush quipped: "Now that I've got the will of the people at my back, I'm going to start enforcing the one-question rule. That was three questions." The spineless press corps laughed and shrugged it off. After the second question he again took up the same theme, "Again, he violated the one-question rule right off the bat. Obviously, you didn't listen to the will of the people."
Obviously, you didn't listen to the will of the people.
Say that to yourself a few times. Take it in, curse the irony.
Later in the questioning, Bush made the infamous claim that he had earned politial capital.
I earned capital in the campaign, political capital, and now I intend to spend it.
Follow the same logic in the context of November's congressional elections which were seen as a clear message from the American people that they were not happy with the direction this country is headed, particularly in Iraq. Using the same standards that Bush used to claim that he earned political capital, it would appear that he is now in debt. Such a strong repudiation of his policies in terms of both electoral politics and public polling should give any decider reason to pause.
George, listen to the will of the people, do not send 20,000 more of our kids into Iraq with targets on their backs. Your legacy is not worth it, and it is tarnished anyway.
Americans, do the right thing. Support the Kennedy Bill:
I am introducing legislation to reclaim the rightful role of Congress and the people's right to a full voice in the President's plan to send more troops to Iraq. Congressman Ed Markey of Massachusetts will introduce similar legislation in the House of Representatives. Our bill will say that no additional troops can be sent and no additional dollars can be spent on such an escalation, unless and until Congress approves the President's plan.'
Kennedy said, 'Our proposal is a straightforward exercise of the power granted to Congress by Article I, section 8 of the Constitution. There can be no doubt that the Constitution gives Congress the authority to decide whether to fund military action. And Congress can demand a justification from the President for such action before it appropriates the funds to carry it out.'
'This bill will give all Americans, from Maine to Florida, to California to Alaska and Hawaii, an opportunity to hold the President accountable for his actions. The President's speech must be the beginning, not the end, of a new national discussion of our policy in Iraq. Congress must have a genuine debate over the wisdom of the President's plan. Let us hear the arguments for it and against it. Then let us vote on it in the light of day. Let the American people hear,yes or no, where their elected representatives stand on one of the greatest challenges of our time,' said Kennedy.
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