Political Punch

One of Bush's last formal acts is to keep sending troops to Iraq on the last day of his presidency -- yes, that's right everyone , , , November 5th will send my friend's son and many others over to the sandbox. I just hope he doesn't start another war before we wrest control from this usurper.

I have to agree, McClellan contributed to the madness. I think the saying goes, " If you are not part of the solution than you are part of the problem," But hey it's all part of the American Dream right? Getting ahead depending on where you are at this point in life. Obviously, McClellan is now at the receiving end of more money.!!!! LOL

It's simple. McClellan needed money and he wasn't going to get it writing a nice book.

Scot McClellan is an unlikely and surprising American hero.

Loyalty should be to the COUNTRY AND TO THE CONSTITUTION FIRST AND FOREMOST!

Anyone surprise the position taken by the INCOMPETENT Clinton campaign chairman?

Clinton is not a woman of integrity; so it makes sense that her campaign chair would not be a person of integrity.

Tens of thousands of American lives, limbs and mental health were wasted.
Hundreds of Iraqi women, children, old people, etc were mass murdered UNPROVOKED.
And this Clinton worm is concerned about loyalty to a mass murdering warmonger? tsk tsk

If the members of the present administration were more open to the American people, then providence wouldn't have to CAUSE OPENNESS by the most unlikeliest of means.

@Aussie

I have to say i could not have said it better,

"As for the end line "To lead the free world" I have to say that while I have nothing but love for America and her people, Thats a role that has long since past the world doesnt need America to lead the free world the free world are just that free"

The United Kingdom of Great Britian and Whales is not a Servent of The United States nor is Australia, Canada or New Zealand. We are your partners by choice with common intersts and goals.

You do not lead the world you do not lead us I find that comment totally offensive to all your allies.

I to believe either Clinton or Obama is in the worlds best interest.

Cheers to my Australian cousin for making that point.

len

"Oz intelligence told us the WMD issue was bogus, then put their own troops on the ground not to be left out. I'm a big OZ fan but get real, fella. Lots and lots of people went along for the ride and the promise of cheap oil."

Your right Aussie Intel did say WMD issue was bogus and if you remember the Australia public was against the war in Iraq 74% at the time of going to war. There was the biggest protest in Australia's History since the Vietnam war. This war only the second time in history, Australia went to war without the full support of Parliament the other again being Vietnam.

The fomer Defence Minister admited that "The reason the US and UK went to war was to control iraqs oil" when asked why Australia supported the US and UK his answer was to get "a free trade agreement with the US that was more favourable to our nation" then yours.

Australia have taken care of the government that sent us to war they now has the lowest numbers in parliament they have ever had they are the oposition government our new government is removing all combat troops from Iraq and moving them to backup troops already in afgainstian.

Just a note on this point:

"Obama doesn't have the credentials or experience to lead the free world"

They said the same thing about our new PM lacking the experience to lead, PM Rudd now has an aproval raiting of 72%.

As for the end line "To lead the free world" I have to say that while I have nothing but love for America and her people, Thats a role that has long since past the world doesnt need America to lead the free world the free world are just that free.

They have there own leaders. I and I think most the world find that very arrogant, The US leadership of the free world ended when the Berlin Wall fell.

On Obama I have to disagree with you In my mind Obama is the best choice of the group available for America and restoring it reputation around the world and the best choice for peace and stability around the world.

But its your election Len and you and your fellow Americans will make that disission.

One of your Aussie mates

The problem with conservative Republicans is they put their loyalty to their party and President above their loyalty to our country.

Better late than never. McClellan has done the right thing at the right time and in a right way, so it does not matter what McAuliffe or McDonald of McCain or McMaster think. Sour grapes.His book is a commercial success and he has made peace with his past and accepted the mistakes he made and exposed the blunders of his pushy reckless boss. He has CONFIRMED WHAT patriotic and decent Americans who can think for themselves knew, that the current lame duck was never interested in serving the best interests of the USA.

Figures that Scott McClellan is intrigued by Obama--all traitors end up in his camp with all that money.

The very hypocritical are the people themselves. Don't blame the responsibility on others too quickly.
Let each person think back of the time when the horror of September 9/11 was worse than a nightmare. To learn a lesson it needs time and reflexion and rational analysis to get to the truth. Maybe Bush took avandtage of the negative to push forth a war that was easily approved by a traumatised population. Maybe the Bush administration lacks knowledge of regional issues (tribal and frontiers conflicts) and the mentality of the mid-eastern populations so the war is badly made; there are so many things to look at.
But does anyone realize that a lot of things
that everyone benefits from come from the war technology and industry. For instance the development of the internet was made for military purposes. It has contributed to the image of a powerful America with powerful technology.
It's not simple but for sure, Bush administration could have done better, this is what is expected from a president and his government.
Still the timing of Mc Clellen's book in the public sphere is awkward. At a time when the coming election means in a way the downfall of Bush, his unpopularity is at highest, the book looks like an easy way of distancing himself, whereas waiting for a publication later would be more dignified.
But hey, dirty politics are but dignified, Bush policy in his own time was not always dignified.
And just look at this primary election, with so much agressivity and meanness thrown all over the blogs, the promise of hope and change is another book for sale.

@aussie:

Right. Oz intelligence told us the WMD issue was bogus, then put their own troops on the ground not to be left out. I'm a big OZ fan but get real, fella. Lots and lots of people went along for the ride and the promise of cheap oil.

McClellan's book tells me little I didn't know by observation, but it confirms a lot too and that is worth having considering all the spin.

That said, Obama doesn't have the credentials or experience to lead the free world. He is a scandal and week and that means he will not be a credible president. It is likely we will elect McCain one way or another and as a Democrat, that doesn't make me happy but as an American it satisfies my choice for balance. In four years, we can see if the Democratic Party does enough house cleaning of its leadership to put a better candidate forward.

The world turned upside down!

Never expected a quote like this from Terry. It is almost......um honorable.

Let's remember that these people are serving their COUNTRY! The decisions they make and support have an impact on the people of the US, and indeed of the world!

Looks like Terry won't be the one telling the tale of the Clinton campaign's mismanagement in a new book!!!

Obama 2008 -- Yes, WE CAN!!!

Funny how the media is again missing the point. Why are you guys shooting the messenger? We all know Scott is a dimwitt but we also know he speaks the truth. I notice NO ONE has called his FACTS into question only his TELLING of the crime BOSS and his administration.

Oh yeah...forgotto point out that McClellan's treachery fits right in with the treachery of the left he is pandering to.

Seeing the comments from liberals here is amusing. Like Scott McClellan, they just continue re-voicing the speculations promoted by such America-hating gurus like George Soros and Michael Moore.

Laughable.

McClellan is a traitor...whichever way you slice it. He's either betraying the nation while holding a position in government...or betraying his boss for a big pay-day.

Reminds me of those traitors who screwed over George Washington and were spit on when they tried to get sympathy from British.

Detroit Breakdown,

Republicans cant be trusted yt tell the truth or obay the consitution.

Which ever one its going to be a democrat in the White House to clean up bush/mccains mess!

Democrats 08

McClennan would make the perfect liberal. No understanding of the facts but believes everything he says. It seems, I believe, I think, are opinions, he offers no facts. He wasn't part of the team leading up or after the initial invasion.

The original Iraqi Regime change act was written by....yes, Clinton and Gore. It was passed by congress after 9-11. The first post by Summer Seale is spot on.

The war was voted and approved by many democrats, Bush won reelection over Sen. Munster, the war debate is over. We have freed millions of people, they are in their democratic infancy. AQI is in shambles. We won. This is a voluntary army, soldiers die, this generation serving is tough as nails. I know, I've served with them.

Liberals can't be trusted for protecting Americans and our interests. You're more interested in selling out and getting you share.

I don't know what the fuss is about in what he "reveals". We already know that the administration wanted to take out Saddam for a lot of other reasons aside from WMD. That's what they later admitted they chose to concentrate on as a message, but it wasn't the only factor.

It wasn't even the only factor in the resolution to go to war. If you read the resolution passed by Congress, there were several reasons listed. WMD was only part of it. Just because the media focused on it more than anything else doesn't mean it was the only reason. And people who focus on that like the media did are just as stupid and idiotic. So what's "new" about this "revelation"?

As for myself, I couldn't care less what reason was given. They could have just simply said "We hate him and we want him dead." and I would have been fine with it. If I had been in Auschwitz, I wouldn't have cared less what reason Stalin had for officially blowing the hell out of Berlin either. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Duh.

I seriously don't see the problem here with 1) the reasons given 2) the "revelaton" or 3) the entire war. People die every day. I couldn't care less what reason we give to kill our enemies. I'm just glad somebody is doing it. If it were up to me, I'd have traced Hulagu's descendants to rile up the Mongol horde and do a second time to Baghad what they did before. But since they're currently no longer in the business of running an empire, I'll settle for our own and make no bones about it. Again: I don't care. It's just part of life.

Mr. Reality,

We have etensive access to the policies and positions of your candidates. Hillary and Obama seem to have 99.99% of the same positions from what I can see Hillary seem to panda with things like a gas tax holiday that was tried by our oposition Government the guy you spoke of was our past PM who was proudly defeated at our last election.

The democrats positions seem to be the same as our new government lead by Kevin Rudd who went to china and talked to our enemies and told them they need to give the people there more freedom and told China to talk to the dali lama. Which caused quite some drama but later the Chinesse agreed to talk to the Dali Lama.

PS If you would like to see what we are seeing of your election beside the access we have to all your own TV Stations and our own heres a link to Australia most respected newspaper election coverage:

In regards to Rev Wright and Trinity Church we have had long looks at that and at Obama's voting records in the State senate and the national and they are niether radical nor liberal they seem balanced and thoughtful.

Hillary was well liked here but has droped in polls here She has ran a bad campaign and Bill has once again been a torn in her side hurting her more than helping her. I dont see her end game in going on...Do you ?

McCain seems to be running on Bush's ideas which have messed up the world leading us as an ally to lose lives in what is and will be now as Americas biggest mistake since vietnam where we also stood side by side with the US.

Australia's combat troops will be out of Iraq and sent to back up our troops already fighting in afgainistain(selling?). There can be no victory in Iraq becuase we are not freeing a people that want freedom. The people there feel we are the ones they need freedom from!

We have heard over here about John McCain being a colabarator when he was a POW but i feel who knows what they would do in that position ??? I dont !

To me he seems like a good man with bad idea's. He may come out with something new I havent switched off on him. But for now he seems more of the same.

I will add with no offence intended I do miss when the US was respected around the world and long for the day that the respect of your nation is restored as our close friendship has made my nation suffer internationaly due to our close ties.

Now I will get off my soap box thank you for answering Mr. Reality I wish all our American friends well and hope you make the right choice in the end..Who ever that is.
Peace and friendship...

One of your Aussie mates

Wilder/Aussie - I would be interested to see what the rest of the world is hearing about Obama but if your comments is reflective of what the world is learning the world is in Big trouble. To try and answer your question simply and of course imo: Mr. Obama was a parishioner of Trinity Church for twenty years. He was married there he had his daughters baptized, allowed his daughters to grow up hearing the hate that came from the pulpit and he has stated on many occasions that the Rev. Wright was his spiritual mentor. Now he says he did not hear the negative, biased and racial comments that came from the pulpit. If the tables were turned and this was a white or other race candidate who had a skin head as a Minister fro twenty years he would no longer be in the race.

So in a nutshell at least here in the USA the media is totally on the side of Obama and that is driving Hillary and Bill crazy. As far as your comments that he would be the best President we have had in a long time well ..... this is a man with no practical experience, he is extremely nieve (?) on foriegn policy, he flip flops without being taken to task (Iran is not a threat to next day Iran is a grave threat), he believes that all our problems can be handled by raising taxes, he is listed as the most liberal US Senator and he sounds like our former glorious President J. Carter in that he feels that the US cannot live a good life that we have to give up our goals as a great power so that we can be more like the rest of the world. Instead should he not want the rest of the world to have all that we do and want for more for all.

Sorry, I am on what we call a soap box so I will stop here and tell you that I admire your Prime Minister. I think he is the one who said that English is your language and if there are immigrants (I think you only have legal ones) who do not like it they can go home. God Bless you and thanks for your interest in what happens here for what happens in the USA usually has a way of affecting the rest of the world.

Mr. Reality

Loyalty and integrity are very important to me. I would hate it if someone did that to me. If I ever did that to anyone, I'd feel like a piece of trash. On the other hand, such betrayal could not happen to a more deserving bunch of lying scheming SOBs, than has been assembled in the Bush White House. It's satisfying to see someone turn over the board on their ugly little con game. Whatever it takes to wipe the smirk off of George Bush's moronic face, works for me.

"I think most of the people slamming McClennan haven't read the book. "

Well, no one has actually read the book, because it hasn't been published yet! Hel-looo?

Nothing new here. Everybody on the planet already knew the Bush Jr administration is the worst, most incompetent, most corrupt bucket of slime in American history. McClellan's just confirming the known facts.

In these days/years of White house spin it is so refreshing to hear a once insider speak truth to power. Pleasenotice that the White House is doing its best to destroy Scott just has they have done to anyone who had a different opinion. It is way over due that someone/anyone spoke out against tbe president and his co-horts. President doot earn instant loyalty, they must earn loyalty by being honest first and fore most. We all know that President Bush has voiced anything but the truth. I uphold Scott as every American should.
MAN OF THE YEAR SCOTT McCELLAN

I think McClellan is a joke. He cant get around the fact he went and did all this for years , with a smile on his face.

Now he writes a book while Bush is STILL in office????

He certainly should have at least waited until the guy left office for christs sakes.

Its all pandering to the liberal media, and soaking whatever fame he can .

John C, you're absolutely correct. Was he lying before or lying now? This was my point about a traitor, who proves only ONE thing: he cannot be trusted.

Was McClellan lying to our face for three years or is he lying now.
If he answers that he's telling the truth now...that means he lied to us in the past.
Why would I believe a liar?

Here's what will happen when McClellan testifies...

Congressman: "So, Mr. McClellan. You are here to tell us what you were privy to as it pertains to the lead-up to the Iraq Invasion?"

Scott: "That's correct, sir."

Congressman: "So you have first-hand information that you witnessed regarding this Administration's deliberate use of lies to start a war?"

Scott: "Yes, sir."

Congressman: "You will tell us exactly what you heard and saw as the pre-war discussions were taking place?"

Scott: "You got it!"

Congressman: "But you didn't begin your job until July 2003. A year and a half AFTER the war began. In fact, you weren't even there when the pre-war discussions took place...isn't that correct Mr. McClellan?"

Scott: "Well, uh...um.....(oops)."

Case dismissed.

whoops - McClellen not McClellan.

It is not cowardly or unloyal to be honest. I think most of the people slamming McClennan haven't read the book. I agree that it indicts the media more than the Bush administration; the media sold out its credibility for "access". The media took the easy route rather than real reporting. Ultimately, though, he indicts most Americans for wanting to believe the lies we were told.

As for motivations, I think McClennan realized that he was on the losing end of history and that he would not be looked upon kindly as the Pied Piper who led us merrily along the wrong path.

McClellan's motives aren't the issue. Instead, we should be asking if he correctly portrayed the Bush Whitehouse. If McClellan is correct was it ineptness, illegal activities, or were there just honest mistakes in judgement.
This should be an opportunity to learn from our history instead of an excuse for both sides to bash each other.

McClellan lied to us for years, but he's telling the truth now!

Good grief, do some of you even read! I have read at least three stories just today, and this is one of them, with liberals slamming McClellan. Get over it already. A lot of people on BOTH sides are not happy about this and think it is cowardly and wrong..not to mention disingenuous and perhaps not even factual.

Jo writes, "Another yawner. The publisher is the one who baited him into doing it."
==========================

Tell us Jo, what EXACTLY do you know about the publishers? Did they bait Pat Buchanan, etc. when HE wrote for them. (lol) You folks are comical.

Folks this book is an indictment of the medai, just as much as it is of Bush. And that's why McClellan is being roasted by the prees for writing it (hypocrisy) Just as much as the Bushites are slandering him for daring to speak the truth. He should be commended for at least trying to warm the American people that the same mistakes that brought us into Iraq, are about to take us into IRAN... Pleas WAKE UP!!!

No one is noticing this anymore because another one of Obama's twisted spiritual guides is all over the news.

Ari Fleischer wrote a nice book about the president and the media yawned.

Scott knew he had to juice it up with lies to get the media to fawn all over him. The publisher is a far leftwinger connected to Soros! If this was a book critical of a democrat, you think the media wouldn't bring up who the publisher was if he was a rightwinger with connections to Scaife?!

Again...YAWN! No one cares!

It is not poison for the president. Spare us the drama.

Ooooh that's big of you Terry. Even if the people you worked for sent you out there to tell their lies, destroy your credibility, then send you packing because "you are no longer credible"? Yeah, McClellen really should have showed these people more loyalty - showed more loyalty to these people who ruined his career, lied to his face, and sent him out to lie to the country. Terry McAuliff is a fuggin jagazz.

If you read the book you realize the media has overhyped what he says. It's not the "scathing" book everyone is making it out to be.

It also shows it's more about his opinion than what he knows as "fact." The truth is he didn't ever have enough access to the president or higher ups to know anything.

Another yawner. The publisher is the one who baited him into doing it.

This book is poison for the President.

Which is why the White House has launched a full assault on McClellen's character, and McAuliffe, like abcnews, has taken the bait.

Take a look at the interview McClellen gave at MSNBC's Countdown. This is not a sleaze without any moral standards trying to make a few bucks at the expense of his master. This is a man who's fundamental moral standards has been violated by the boss he once trusted with blind loyalty. He has now decided to come clean, even though he knows that it will cost him in terms of reputation, friends and career opportunities.

His political views hasn't changed. He is fundamentally still a Republican. One of the few these days with a conscience.

I worked for Terry and although he was the most obnoxious and deceitful person that probably ever lived I never wrote a book about him.

The Bush Administration lied and lied and somebody needs to set the record straight. We have 4,000 great Americans dead, 35,000 injured for life and 300,000 Iraq citizens dead or injured.
This invasion of Iraq was a personnal agenda for Bush, Cheney and insiders to make money on oil and reconstruction. The costs for this war has bankrupted our nation. China now owns the USA.

Of course he doesn't like it. He's on the same team as Bush. Hillary has the same economic advisor that would continue the FED trek of Bush. A vote for Hillary is the same as voting for McCain. Thanks for showing your true colors.

double RR: You ARE aware that George W. Bush scored better on college, with his "C-student mentality", than the Democrat Priest of Gaia and ex-Presidential hopeful Albert Gore Junior, right? Or that, as a trained jet pilot, he had more responsibility and technical skill at 24 than Barack "The Savior" Obama ever did, right?

Of course, with Bush so stupid it's just hilarious how he kept pulling the wool over the eyes of every Demotraitor in sight for eight years... guess tehy must just be dumber than ol' C-average George.

Sorry for the incomplete prior post. A I was going to write, Mr. McAuliffe makes a very valid point: if Mr. McClellen felt that strongly about the actions he now condemns, he should have "put his money where his mouth is" and quit. I find it very suspicious that Mr. McClellen has now "seen the light" in his tell-all book. Could he possibly have ulterior motives in his miraculous conversion, like higher book sales, perhaps?

Mr. McAuliffe makes a very valid point: if Mr. McClellen

"I agree with McAuliffe. If McClellan were that upset and disgusted, why did he stay so long?"

Right. He only now, when he's decided to write a book, discovered that misleading is wrong? He was upset, yet remained another 3 years?

I agree with McAuliffe. If McClellan were that upset and disgusted, why did he stay so long? I find it implausible that now he sees the light, and then he did not. The book will be a cash cow for him. I do not particularly apporve of GW's presidency, but I really dislike back stabbers and hypocrits.

"If this logic is correct then Dana Perino is "not in the Loop"and therefore her comments cannot be taken without questioning the validity of her statements."

She isn't "in the loop". She's a spokeswoman told what to say in representing and defending the White House. Just like McClellan wasn't let in on what Libby and Rove discussed in their many meetings, yet claims to know what they discussed.

WestCoastMessanger, good to hear from you. There is nothing to worry about, primaries are over and the winner is Obama. You know that reality, I know that reality, Hannety and OReilly and Old McCain know that reality. I was very much surprised to see the Hill's campaign manager talking so nicely about the WBush-Cheney-Rove-Libby-McCain's REGIME and was asking myself: is it because Hill voted for the war in Irak? or is it the usual lack of judgement from your side? or you donot care anymore for Joe and Valerie? God bless America and God bless Obama. OBAMA08.

"I never like it when someone works for someone and then comes out and writes a book trashing them,"
------
No. He likes to work for someone who trashes others in his own party. But no books...yet.

This guy is unbelieveable! And I mean that in every way.

George S., I think he's talking to you. How the bitterness lingers...

The thinking that loyalty and honesty are incongruous is false. "Loyalist" is just a window-dressing to its underlying truth, a "Yes-man". One should never be scourned for the courage of honesty.

It seems to me like McAuliffe sure is finding himself in agreement with Fox News lately.

BKMC,
Here it is the 11th hour and you are still attacking Hillary Clinton non-stop even though you've been claiming for weeks that Obama has it in the bag. Sounds like you are still worried, but rightly so.
=======================================
Hillary in '08 or '12,
The lower the year the higher the IQ of the Democratic Party!
=======================================

I find it laughable that Bush's White House is claming that "Scott was never in the Loop"and he is a digruntled former employee. If this logic is correct then Dana Perino is "not in the Loop"and therefore her comments cannot be taken without questioning the validity of her statements. Scott McClellan was very much a Bush insider. He was the main Stonewaller in the Bush Camp.I'm sure George Bush(with his C-student mentality) is at a loss to know how to reply, now that karl Rove isn't there to pull the puppet strings. I only wish Scott had found the integrity and the morality to speak up 5 yaers ago, when 4 thousand-plus of our finest young men and women were still alive.