Fear And Smear

Printed 12-05-03 (see link)
BUSH
Watch what happens next

Several writers have gushed about the way the president has gone to Iraq to raise the morale of the troops. It is hard to be critical of that, as they do deserve the best. It will be a welcome change if that is the true moral of his trip.
But skepticism should not be abandoned until he takes responsibility for his own campaign. Its first barrage was a step in the wrong direction if he is going to use the war on terrorism to maintain his regime. The claim that he has been a sterling example since Sept. 11 is questionable as long as we are fighting for ``liberty, democracy and tolerance'' (the president's words). The next step will be telling. Will he be using this trip in his campaign and will those troops who dissent be given such leeway? I should think not. The former would be disgusting, the latter treason.

Democrats had been criticized in the past for not having exit strategies for their adventures or for nation building, but at least they were to some extent upfront about it and their critics' patriotism not questioned. They were even challenged for trying to be policeman to the world.

It will be interesting to see if the Republicans, who labeled them ``gloom and doom'' Democrats in previous campaigns, will continue their campaign of ``fear and smear.''
It is hard not to fall for what raises our hopes and we do want leadership, but let's be honest about it.