Campaign Promises
From the Republican debate in New Hampshire, January 6, 2000:
Q: Governor, will you spend what it takes if the US is involved in a war?Bush: Well, let me put it to you this way: When I’m the president, we’re not going to obfuscate when it comes to foreign policy. If I ever commit troops, I’m going to do so with one thing in mind. And that’s to win. To win in a fashion that not only achieves victory, but gets us out of the theater in quick order.
Hey, zero out of three ain’t bad. In fact, it’s a trifecta!
Other classic Bush campaign promises from two elections ago:
“It must be in our vital interest whether we ever send troops. The mission must be clear. Soldiers must understand why we’re going. The force must be strong enough so that the mission can be accomplished. And the exit strategy needs to be well-defined. I’m concerned that we’re overdeployed around the world.” –Oct 17, 2000
“Morale in today’s military is low. We’re having trouble meeting recruiting goals. Some of our troops are not well-equipped. I believe we’re overextended in too many places.” –October 3, 2000
“But what they ask our nation must provide: a coherent vision of America’s duties, a clear military mission in time of crisis, and, when sent in harm’s way, the best support and equipment our nation can supply.” –May 31, 1999
“Would deter terrorist attacks by ensuring that every group or nation understands that if they sponsor such attacks, the U.S. response will be devastating.” –GeorgeWBush.com, April 2, 2000 (too bad he wasn’t more specific about who would be devastated)
Clearly you have forgotten the ace of trumps: 9/11 changed everything!
See also: Monopoly: Get out of Jail Free card
9/11 might have changed a few things, but not the promise to achieve victory, well-supply the troops, have a clear exit strategy–especially if he also promised them after 9/11…
But you’re right in a different way: while 9/11 didn’t allow him to break all his promises, it did give him cover to break them and get away with it. I guess that’s the “get out of jail free” card.
Just to be clear, I was being entirely sarcastic. I think the “9/11 changed everything” line is one of the most dishonest slogans ever used, and given the 10,000 others that have come from the Bush Administration, that’s saying a lot.
Brendan: I kinda guessed that, but it’s really hard to tell. As both you and I hinted, 9/11 did change everything–not in a true universal sense, but certainly in a political sense. 9/11 opened every door, wide pen, for Bush. He suddenly had almost unlimited power to do whatever he wanted, to break whatever laws he desired, and he knew he’d be bulletproof–just say “9/11” and, like you said, it’s out-of-jail-free time.
Yeah, I should have been more clear about my tone in my first comment. It is hard to tell tone of voice from text, particularly when one doesn’t know the writer.
Next time.