Scott McClellan and Ken Mehlman apparently didn't get the 'Legitimate Discussion' memo.
As you remember, Cheney said on November 21st that Jack Murtha was a
patriot, and taking a
"clear stand" on a
"legitimate discussion."
Cheney then set down the rules: as of Nov. 21st it was Ok to talk about the war. But no talking about that pre-war intelligence. That would be 'reprehensible,' and not only that but "not legitimate," according to Cheney.
So imagine Howard Dean's surprise when he took the same position as Congressman Murtha -- that a win is not possible in Iraq -- and got this reaction:
McClellan said Dean had some explaining to do. It was..
"absolutely the wrong message to send to our troops when we are on the verge of historic accomplishments."
Mehlman said "In predicting that America will lose the war in Iraq, Howard Dean is the latest national Democrat leader to embrace retreat and defeat in the central front in the War on Terror. His outrageous prediction sends the wrong message to our troops, the enemy, and the Iraqi people just 10 days before historic elections."
Ken, Scott, Guys! Really, you need to get with it. It's now cool to discuss the war. You just can't talk about the pre-war stuff. Dean didn't do that. (Well, he did, kinda, but that's not what you are taking issue with)
Remember, the new White House strategy is kill your enemies with love.
Now get back out there and call Howard Dean a "patriot." And stop flip-flopping on the message. This is really starting to look bad now.