First it was Norman Podhoretz in Commentary.
Then the President himself awoke from his slumber.
Over the weekend things got worse, much worse, for those perpetrating this fraud. The Elite Media’s favorite Republican joined the pushback in a rather direct manner,
FACE THE NATION’S BOB SCHIEFFER: And in–he said in doing so, the criticisms they were making of his war policy was endangering our troops in Iraq. Do you believe it is unpatriotic to criticize the Iraq policy?
Sen. JOHN McCAIN: No, I think it’s a very legitimate aspect of American life to criticize and to disagree and to debate. But I want to say I think it’s a lie to say that the president lied to the American people. I sat on the Robb-Silverman Commission. I saw many, many analysts that came before that committee. I asked every one of them–I said, `Did–were you ever pressured politically or any other way to change your analysis of the situation as you saw?’ Every one of them said no.
How about the question from Bob Schieffer? He’s a kinder, gentler, older Dan Rather. Bottom Line, his left of center point of view is no different than Rather’s. Asking if it is “unpatriotic to criticize the Iraq policy” is so loaded as to be ridiculous. This has never been about criticism of the war, ever. It is about fighting back against a fraud, rather successfully, perpetrated against the public.
Today, President Bush explained further, even though it was too late to save face for Schieffer,
Some of our elected leaders have opposed this war all along. I disagree with them, but I respect their willingness to take a consistent stand. Yet some Democrats who voted to authorize the use of force are now rewriting the past. They are playing politics with this issue and sending mixed signals to our troops and the enemy. That is irresponsible.
via NZ Bear
This is a good start. More, more, more. Do sixty cities in sixty days like when you were pushing Social Security reform. (I’ve always said that trip would have suited second term better if it was about the war) Barnstorm the country, call these people out. Their assertions cannot hold up to even a Matt Laueresque style critique. Book the trip.