Kondracke: "[Y]ou would figure" that Iraqi insurgents will plan "more upsurges of violence in Iraq to ... help President Bush's adversaries" in upcoming elections
On Fox News, Morton M. Kondracke asserted that "you would figure that the enemy" would "help President Bush's adversaries" by "hav[ing] much more upsurges of violence in Iraq to try to focus people's attention back on Iraq." Shortly before the 2004 presidential election, Kondracke similarly claimed that, "for all I know," the growing insurgency in Iraq was "designed ... to help elect John Kerry."
During the September 19 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume, Roll Call executive editor Morton M. Kondracke asserted that "you would figure that the enemy" would "help President Bush's adversaries" by "hav[ing] much more upsurges of violence in Iraq to try to focus people's attention back on Iraq." Kondracke added that "maybe an attack on the Green Zone" or "something big" could "shift attention." National Public Radio senior political correspondent and Fox News analyst Mara Liasson replied that the reason there hasn't been a large-scale insurgent attack in Iraq is "not because they're laying low and thinking about U.S. elections," adding that "they try to kill as many people as they can at all times." Kondracke's comments came after he stated that the most recent Fox poll, as well as "many others," shows that voters who consider the Iraq war to be the most important issue will "favor Democrats" in the upcoming midterm elections. As Media Matters for America has documented, shortly before the 2004 presidential election, Kondracke similarly claimed that, "for all I know," the growing insurgency in Iraq was "designed ... to help elect John Kerry."
From the September 19 edition of Fox News' Special Report with Brit Hume:
KONDRACKE: You know, if this [most recent Fox News] poll, as, as many others, show that if you -- if terrorism is your most important issue, by miles, you favor Republican candidates. If Iraq is your most important issue, by miles, you favor Democrats. Now, I, I -- this, this is all very good news for, for President Bush, but it's still, you know, not even October yet and the, and the -- you would figure that the enemy -- if the enemy has it in mind to cause Bush fits, that they would -- you know, even up -- have more upsurges of violence in Iraq to try to focus people's attention back on Iraq, and, and help, help President Bush's adversaries. I don't know what they could do -- maybe an attack on the Green Zone, I -- you know, something, something big, I think, you could expect would, would try to shift attention.
LIASSON: Well, the reason why there hasn't been one is certainly not because they're laying low and thinking about the U.S. elections. I think they try to kill as many people as they can at all times.
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what osama predicted he would do. attack an oil rich mideast nation. it's bush who gave him his propaganda material.
Why do right-wing commentators seem to think the terrorists fear Bush? 9/11 happened under Bush. Osama escaped under Bush. Uninvolved nations were invaded under Bush.
The terrorists do not fear Bush. They are not trying to get a Democrat in power. Why can't the media realize this?
but 5 years ago, they made attempts on Washington, and presumably the CIC was one of their preferred targets. We will never know for certain the final target of the flight that crashed in PA.
Last time they missed their goal ('93 WTC bombing) they took 8 years to realize their next plot and they fulfilled their mission. What makes Morton think that they have changed their methods now? Bush still has a big fat red mark on his back, and if history is any guide, Zawahiri and Co. will make another attempt in the not too distant future.
The right-wing keeps repeating false and debunked claims for good reason.....they may still be able win the argument with them. From the Vice-President still claiming ties between Iraq and al quaeda to Carlson claiming that WMD's were found in Iraq to Snow's claims of a roaring economy, this group ceaselessly spins and fabricates. It's worked in the past three elections. 50% of Americans believe that WMD's were found in Iraq. All of this may yet work out for the right.
The tragedy is that in the long-run our country will be the big loser when common core facts based in objective reality continue to be denied for the political expedicencies of the moment.
But one point: the economy is roaring. That's all. Out.
Makes you wonder if companies are doing well, or if people are doing well.
People are polled, companies are not.
I haven't seen any recent polls. Care to help a brother out? I don't look at polls, I look at the actual numbers.
you google for your poll of choice. Just make sure it's not from the Coulter Institute. Just kidding.
But I think you'll find individuals aren't too keen on the economic outlook.
Real numbers are good for corps, but not so hot for individuals. Meaning real people, not just shareholders. Those of us in the middle class--remember us?
Again, I'll let you google the numbers.
From a personal perspective, my portfolio is doing fine, but my health care costs are through the roof, property taxes high, clients not paying bills, forclosures high, etc.
I'm in a tough area, but you get the picture.
More people in poverty and a raise in the poverty level AGAIN like every year since Bush took office? Like median income not keeping pace with inflation? Hey GDP and corporate profits might be doing well but how is the economy working for the guy just working his job? Not so well, and you along with the rest of the rightwing shills can tell them all you want that they ARE doing well, they KNOW how well off they are NOW and how well off they were pre-Gump
Ouch. No, I was looking at the Dow (approaching all time record highs), the tax receipts (quite a bit of money coming into the gov't), the unemployment level (extremely low), etc. Now if the stupid people in Congress and the White House could quit with the spending, we'd be set.
Many people today are no longer included in the figures, but are still out of work. The statistics usually only include those collecting unemployment benefits. Many people are never eligible for unemployment benefits in the first place, many people's benefits run out long before they return to the work force. A lot of people are trying to make it on their own, starting small businesses that will eventually fail. They won't be included in the numbers.
Corporate profits are skyrocketing. The Dow is STILL not as high as it was at its peak during Clintons term. Meanwhile wages are stagnant and NOT keeping up with inflation. As I said you can claim the economy is doing great based on the investor class and corporate profit but the middle class is not keeping up and the poor are worse off so I guess its all in how you look at it.
Wages dropping, jobs disappearing or given to illegals, manufacturing bailing overseas, more people in debt than ever before.
Oh yeah, economy is kicking butt. Yeah, right. Maybe for the top 1%. Down here in the trenches, it's looking damn bleak.
I heard Hannity and Limbaugh say the same thing- the economy's roaring or soaring or booming or robust, or something.
As they checked their huge defense and oil portfolios.
Good for you guys.
MBNA and the other bank/credit companies are doing pretty well too. After contributing generously to the Bush campaign,it just happened that laws were changed so that one late credit card payment could knock interest rates up to 30% or so.
I don't know about your neighborhood, conman, but in mine, most everybody I know has some of that roaring economy going to paying off borrowed money.
Wanna discuss my neighborhood? How about going hungry because we don't have money for groceries? I have much more credit debt than anyone should. I own very minimal stocks (through my 401k). My family would be considered lower class. But I don't complain... I just go do my job and try and take care of my family. Not all right-wingers are in the "top 1%", so don't act like you know me. One thing I will say is that things are looking up... I recently got health insurance. I know if I just keep plugging away, I'll do just fine. But thanks for wondering. Cheers!
ConMan: Just a quick question following your statement of position. Are you comfortable that you will pay ordinary income taxes on any gains or dividends in your 401(k) while those who have the ability to invest outside of their retirement plan - in general the more affluant - pay a significantly lower rate or no tax at all on these same items of income?
Pretty comfortable. If they can afford it, they should be able to invest their money how they please. If I wanted, I suppose I could pull my investments out of my 401k (minus a small penalty) and throw them into some roth ira to avoid most of that stuff, but I'm doing fine right now. Are you comfortable that I'm fine with that?
In fact, wrote very clearly that "I don't know about your neighborhood".You read something you imagined.
Anyway, we have something in common with most Americans and with each other;Just getting by trying to put food on the table,too much debt, little investments.We work hard and hope it gets better.
Here's where we differ- I pointed out that this isn't the sign of a "roaring economy", and you countered that you don't complain. I'm assuming what you do is continue to vote for a party that is very invested in continuing this social structure, and I'm guessing that you get info from people like Rush who tells you to go to work and don't complain.It's your fault that he's making 500 times your salary, you gotta try harder.
I don't complain too much, but I don't shut up and take it.And I vote, and don't vote for a party that wants to eliminate the estate tax as a compromise on raising the minimum wage.
This is what rich conservative talk show hosts call "stirring up class warfare" because they don't like when people bring up the subject of their own gluttony.
I never listen to Rush (maybe twice in my life). And I don't vote for any certain party. I vote for the individual. I trust you do the same. And even I as a lowly peasant think the minimum wage need not be raised, and the estate tax should be culled. But that's a different debate for a different thread. ;-)
Is as RIDICULOUS as those 9/11 Conspiracy Theories floating around out there.
I must admit I'm a bit surprised to hear him say something like THIS. It's usually his buddy Barnes [on the Beltway Boys] that I'd EXPECT this sort of illogical statement from.
Bottom line I find it laughable that an allegedly intelligent guy like Kondracke would SUGGEST the insurgents would try to influence the upcoming elections by staging attacks.
I agree with you but for a different reason. The insurgents in Iraq are more concerned with upsetting any settling down of the mission they oppose in Iraq, than they are with our upcoming midterm elections.
I would doubt they have given it much thought actually, their strategy is far removed from who is running in some local election here.
More talk show/news screamers ginning up the election at every possible turn.
Is it not widely accepted that the Al Queda attacks in Madrid tipped the election in favor of the socialist who promised and then carried through the removal of Spanish Forces from the Coalition of the Willing?
Did you forget that or are you on to something else?
I believe most agree that the government lying about who did it had a significant role in them getting voted out.
Also, I am sure that Al Qaida is aware that they may have actually ensured Bush's re-election last time by airing a tape right before the election. It may indeed be possible that Al Qaida really wants Republicans in office.
If Al-Qaida makes another tape around election time, it could be further evidence that they really want Republicans in office.
Considering the Republican track record and statements about how they really don't think about Osama anymore, I would think Osama wants these guys in charge. Somebody else might actually try to catch him.
The worse thing that could happen to the terroristinsurgextremists is for the Republicans to get kicked out of office. Bush is their man. They need him and he in a perverse sort of way needs them.
all by yourself.
Bush in office is a terrorists dream.Can you imagine how sad it is to be a fundamentalist rleigious extremist with nobody to play with?
If we get rid of the Republicans and move this country out of the Dark Ages, terrorism could pretty much die out for lack of interest.
Concluded at the TIME that the video was mean to help Bush. How hard is that to understand. Gump has been the best friend Osama ever had. Giving him a present he NEVER could have pulled off himself in Iraq. Fulfilling every prediction he ever made. I bet Osama has a pin up poster of Bush above his bed and thanks Allah every night for George.
While we are hypothecating about what an enemy that the Bush Administration has been repeatedly wrong about will do or prefer, I would suggest that there are at least three basic elements to the Iraq opposition - the “true terrorist”, the “freedom fighters”, and the “ethnic cleansers.”
Isn’t it reasonable that of those groups, only the freedom fighters would be likely to favor a change in Congress that might reduce or eliminate U.S. involvement in the Iraq conflict over time, and that the other two groups would prefer a Congress which supported the “stay the course and sacrifice the soldiers” approach of the current administration?
Aznar tried to blame the bombings on ETA, the Basque seperatist terrorist group. The Spanish people never supported Bush's colonial war anyway, they would have voted to remove Spanish troops from Iraq no matter what.
That could take on Chomsky. I saw an excerp from him debating Willam F Buckley in the 70's and he had him so flustered Buckley threatened to punch Noam in the G** D***ed mouth. Chomsky just smiled and shrugged. If he can do that to Buckley no one on todays right could possibly compete
Morton, I think your comment was completely idiotic and not deserving a response.
However, please tell your bosses at FOX to increase the terror alerts agin, thank you very much, because we are inside two months before the election and it worked like a charm last time and Bush's approval ratings are back up to 44% which means just a few more points and we might just squeak another one out in November, but probably not without those ELEVATED TERROR ALERTS so let's get that going again. Thanks.
Stop the Madness Kondrake.
Bush caused this problem with his invasion of Iraq.
The Republicans will lose in 06 because of Bushs stupidity not because of Iraqi Insurgents.
Comments like this are designed to make AMERICANS, not Iraqis, conflate voting for a Democrat with voting for terrorists and insurgents. The Republican mudpie slingers have been making this connection for years now and nobody typically challenges them on it, for fear, I imagine, of being called unpatriotic, un-American, appeasers or cut-and-run defeatists.
As Al Franken said, I grow discouraged with the Tone.
that Morton missed his lobotomy appointment last Saturday afternoon. His lobes are definitely firing askew.
this show needs a liberal. A real hard-hitting liberal.
Mara Liasson (bless her heart) is a nice person, intelligent and well-spoken. Hope that doesn't sound condescending.
But I'd love to see a real bull-liberal smack Barnes, Kondracke and company down now and then.
But that's not what Fox viewers want to see.
The flock must be fed.
I think they try, but they cannot find anyone.
;-)
They protect the wingnuts. Thats why they gave colmes to be HANNITY's bellboy. There are plenty of liberals out there that would blow Kondrake into next week. IF they were allowed. Alterman could do it. Corn, Katherine Vanden Huevel, Amy Goodman. There is a long list that COULD. IF the corporation wouldnt immediatly fire them for it.
Only liberals FOX Lies allows on are those they know won't put up a fight. It's just like pro-wrestling, they bring on the "evil liberal" who's been instructed to take the fall when pummelled by the "hero Republican".
Amy Goodman or Noam Chomsky or Ralph Nader would rip those guys to shreds. They'll never allow them in the building.
...rubbing his chin, looking skyward as he says:
"Gee, it seems like only 2 years ago when we heard that Osama will plan some great attack right before the election to try to sway the polls..."
Some campaign tactics are just timeless.
But we just thwarted the British airliner bombing plot.
How could I forget the infamous "toothpaste and conditioner" caper?
(rubbing my chin, eyes skyward) Seems like it was only yesterday that suiciders were mixing their Suave and PreparationH and blowing up airplanes...
Some plots are just timeless...
Funny how the British can't find any evidence to bring any of the so-called plotters to trial. Why? Because they MADE IT UP! They arrested a handful of moslem and CLAIMED they were trying to attack airliners. More Crusader agitprop.
THAT WAS THE BRITS
KONDRACKE: "...if you -- if terrorism is your most important issue, by miles, you favor Republican candidates."
This tactic, of telling people what to think, right to their faces, as though they didn't know or couldn't recall their own thoughts, and needed help in so doing...
It only works on idiots and others whose minds are in some way addled or confused.
Even children are for the most part resistant to being told what to think; just idiots and the addled of mind have not the ability to think for themselves.
There's that scene in the movie 'Star Wars', where the guy obi-something demonstrates it on a sentry, telling him what to think, right to his face...
I forget what he then says to the kid who's surprised to see this thing in action... something to the effect of "weak minds are easily susceptible to suggestion"...
Weak minds like those that lap up Fox and o'reilly and cavuto and hume etc.
You seem to think Kondrake is wrong. However in your post I see no argument showing us why he is wrong. Care to expound on why Dems would be favored in this election, if one's number one concern is terrorism?
I hope you can come up with more than saying "because they are not Republicans."
have done, that is a legitimate reason for many to vote Democrat. All it takes is dissatisfaction with the power structure in Washington to get people to vote them out. If you want to know why Democrats will do better in the war on terror is another issue. Incidentally, world wide opinion wuold change dramatically if the opposition party won in November. So your insinuation that "because there not Republican" is not a factor is false. People will vote for Democrats on that alone. Lord knows the media isn't giving any air time to Democrats to actually tell people how they will more effectively fight the war on a feeling. Terror.
He isnt even in the niehborhood of rationality. The history of the last six years are stark, incandescent evidence he is wrong. If these guys had been in charge in 1941 we would have invaded Mexico.
What do you think the terrorists' take is on Lieberman/Lamont race?
What is their take on the price of gas?
I mean, how can you argue with 'have more (sic) violence to try to focus people's attention back on Iraq (sic) and help Bush's adversaries...' Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiigghhhttttt- as if everyone in America suddenly STOPPED caring about Iraq, AND, how do we know WHAT the Iraqi insurgents want? From what I can see, they are probably just as happy to see Bush and other idiots like him to STAY in power and continue this 'war' that is showcasing America's inability to lead and control themselves, musch less another country...
Kondrake's comments make no sense. Bush is the perfect evil foil for the "Islamofascists". They need Bush to keep their base pumped up the same way the Republicans need Hillary Clinton.
He has a point. People in Iraq who hate Bush may increase violence to focus attention on his biggest failure. They may even be hoping his "adversaries" or Democrats I assume, win big in November. But the context is misleading. He's implying that this is an endorsement of Democrats in the hopes they will be weak on terror and the terrorists will have even more oppurtunity to kill people. That's the absurdity. There are probably many in the world who are not terrorists who hope the political situation in this country rights itself. Subsequently hoping that Democrats win and Bush is stifled somewhat in his agenda.
Why the heck would Usama want Bush weakened?
It's this administration's obliviousness to the warnings that Usama wanted to attack America that made it even easier.
It's this administration's military ineptitude that allowed Usama to escape at Tora Bora (Tommy Franks got a Medal of Freedom for that ineptitude.)
It's this administration's blood feud with Saddam that diverted the forces necessary to win sustainable victory against the Taliban.
It's this administration's ineptitude that got us to Iraq and only then did we try to figure out what to do next, as Irani societyy collapsed, exactly like predicted by numerous State Department studies.
It was this administration that turned Iraq into fertile ground for terrorism and civil war, when it disbanded the Iraqi military and de-Baathified the government, without any idea of who would replace them (Bremer got a Medal of Freedom for that one.)
Usama is paying peanuts to produce tapes while this administration spends millions and billions putting on a show as if it were actually reacting effectively to terrorist threats.
Last thing Usama wants is a change in administration -- Bush is the best thing that has happened to him.
Of course, Usama is the best thing that has happened to Bush, as well...
Democrats have exactly the same plan to combat terrorism as the Republicans...stay in Iraq, kill arab children, and support Israel to the hilt. It's what they've done in the past, the present, and will do in the future.
They will NOT remove US troops from Iraq, they will not remove US troops from the Gulf nations, they will not stop giving free arms and UN vetos to Israel.
Democrats aren't going to save us from the Republicans, they are the Republicans under another name. Same exact policies! The hatred of the US Empire will always remain as long as we continue imperialising. Democrats are as imperial as Repubs, nothing will change. Here comes the new boss, same as the old boss.
Bush's speech defining victory as depending on what happens in the streets of Baghdad was a quote from our (theoretical) #1 enemy. He's made Iraq their perfect recruiting ground and justification for their attacks on the U.S. He has publically contradicted himself about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan so often that it has become routine. And those who support him are once again equating his opponents with terrorists.
Pathetic.