UNVEILING GEORGE W. BUSH

[volosong]

Presidential reelection campaigns always examine the incumbent's record. Such discussion is integral to an informed electorate. Therefore, this letter will discusses several salient but ignored aspects of the current administration.

Polls give Mr. Bush high marks on being a "strong leader." Comparison with a list of other "strong" Presidents (Washington, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt, FDR, Truman, JFK, and Reagan) shows that a majority saw combat; war was a last resort and won with skill, restraint, and highly sensitive intelligence; each embraced and advanced science; none hijacked and manipulated a national tragedy (or religion) for political gain or failed to make public the investigation; war time Presidents enjoyed a robust economy; none condoned unrelenting scurrilous attacks on the integrity and combat record of an opponent; none required interpreters to untangle jumbled words and befuddled phrases; none tolerated the public mocking of a US military medal, or permitted an aide to refer to Americans as being like a 10 year old child.

Polls also give Mr. Bush high marks on handling the war on terror. However, the record reveals a list of unheeded pre-9/11 warnings and requests such as the Hart-Rudman recommendations; Paul Bremer's warnings of impending attacks; FBI concerns about Arabs who wanted to learn to fly but not to land planes; CIA Director Tenet’’s memo entitled "Bin Laden Determined to Strike in US;”” the arrest of Moussaoui who was described as "the type of person who could fly something into the World Trade Center;" Senate ASC recommendation to shift $814 million from missile defense to anti-terrorism; and Acting FBI Director Pickard’’s request for more anti-terrorism funding.

The Bush record on Homeland Security is similarly distressing according to the report of the GOP dominated Advisory Panel to Assess Domestic Response Capabilities for Terrorism Involving Weapons of Mass Destruction. They reported (Dec 2003) "serious concern about the current state of homeland security efforts;”” they found that momentum for security had "waned," and blamed the government for causing complacency. It also found "fragmentation" of efforts and "that scarce resources may not be prioritized and applied most effectively.”” Bush has inadequately funded the department as well as undermined state and local security efforts, including police, fire and health first-responders. Federal funding of local anti-terror efforts has been restricted, and chemical plant, airport, airline, port, and border security is still is perilously lacking.

"Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." George W. Bush, Aug. 5, 2004

Media Links: http://congress.org/congressorg/dbq/media/
http://www.democraticunderground.com/cu/cu.php?az=blaster