There’s rarely any point to linking to Josh Marshall since everyone already reads him, but be made an observation this morning that needs some extra attention.
Consider this Bush quote:
When asked “Can we win?” the war on terror, Bush said: “I don’t think you can win it. But I think you can create conditions so that the those who use terror as a tool are less acceptable in parts of the world.”
Now just try to imagine for a moment what would happen if John Kerry said he doesn’t believe the United States can win a war on terror. Just imagine it.
I’ll get the ball rolling with some of the questions the media would ask right now if it had any integrity:
* What does it say to our enemies around the globe when the commander-in-chief says he doesn’t think we can win a war on terror?
* How do you suppose the men and women in uniform — the ones combating terrorists overseas — feel when they hear the president say we can’t win the war they’re fighting?
* Do you think it strengthens or weakens the resolve of the American people when their leader tells them he doesn’t think it’s possible to win a war on terror?
Please, Kerry campaign, jump all over this one. It screams out for an ad. Here’s a sample script, off the top of my head:
Kerry to camera: “The fight against terrorism is the central struggle of our time. President Bush has said he doesn’t believe we can win a war on terror; I disagree. Accepting defeat while troops are in harm’s way is the worst possible message at the worst possible time. Our enemies need to know that the United States not only can win this war on terror, but that we will win this war. I’m John Kerry and I approve this message because when I’m president, I won’t accept failure or excuses when it comes to fighting terrorism. Victory is the only option.”