Bush and Cheney on the Defensive

Dick Cheney poked his head out from his secret hiding place just long enough to spew out a few soundbites.

As you’ve probably heard by now, Rep. John Murtha (D-PA) has called for the immediate withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. Murtha isn’t your stereotype bleeding heart liberal. He’s been one of Congress’ biggest hawks. He had a 37-year career in the Marine Corps, including combat in both Korea and Vietnam.

Please remember those facts about him. When the Bush/Rove propaganda machine gets through swiftboating him, millions of gullible Americans will probably think he burned his draft card during the Vietnam war and his hobbies include torturing fetuses and masturbating on the Bible.

Yesterday he said “the U.S. cannot accomplish anything further in Iraq militarily. It is time to bring them home.” The Bush/Cheney hate machine roared into overdrive.

Cheney (a pampered sheltered chickenhawk) accused Democrats of losing their courage in the Iraqi war. To this, Murtha responded "I like guys who've never been there that criticize us who've been there. I like that. I like guys who got five deferments and never been there and send people to war, and then don't like to hear suggestions about what needs to be done.”

Earlier, Cheney had said that Democratic critics are engaged in “one of the most dishonest and reprehensible charges ever aired in this city” in response to accusations that Bush lied to get us into the Iraqi war.

Dan Bartlett, counselor to the president, said Republicans will continue their attacks on Democrats for as long as it takes to quash their offensive. He said “a charge going unanswered can be a charge that becomes conventional wisdom.” Bartlett probably didn’t catch the irony in that statement – he was describing Karl Rove's attack strategy down to a T.

John Kerry said the administration was using “exactly the kind of disgraceful fear tactic, scare tactic, exploitation” that they used to sell the war in Iraq. “They did it all through the election last year. They tried to scare Americans and did, in many cases. And they're still doing it.”

Bush also entered the slugfest from his travels in South Korea. Instead of looking diplomatic on the world stage, he’s been reduced to endless retorts of “did not,” “did too,” “he started it,” “takes one to know one”...