Grasping for a Legacy
Instead of offering ground for cooperation, the president continued the pattern he set in the earliest months of his presidency: to insist on cooperation on his terms. His first substantive policy issue was taxes. He warned Democrats that they had to make his tax cuts permanent—something he could have done years ago, rather than waiting until election time to corner his opponents. "Some in Washington argue that letting tax relief expire is not a tax increase," he explained. "Try explaining that to 116 million American taxpayers who would see their taxes rise by an average of $1,800. Others have said they would personally be happy to pay higher taxes. I welcome their enthusiasm, and I am pleased to report that the IRS accepts both checks and money orders." So much for the civil and respectful tone of debate on taxes.
But what about the subject on which historians will really assess this president: the war in Iraq? On that question, he understandably claimed credit for real military progress, while also hyping up the analysis of political progress in Baghdad. What stood out, however, was the president's continued efforts to tie Iraq to Al Qaeda, the group responsible for the horrors of 9/11 that transformed his entire presidency.
"When we met last year, Al Qaeda had sanctuaries in many areas of Iraq, and their leaders had just offered American forces safe passage out of the country," he said. "Today, it is Al Qaeda that is searching for safe passage. They have been driven from many of the strongholds they once held, and over the past year, we have captured or killed thousands of extremists in Iraq, including hundreds of key Al Qaeda leaders and operatives.
"Last month, Osama bin Laden released a tape in which he railed against Iraqi tribal leaders who have turned on Al Qaeda and admitted that Coalition forces are growing stronger in Iraq. Ladies and gentlemen, some may deny the surge is working, but among the terrorists there is no doubt. Al Qaeda is on the run in Iraq, and this enemy will be defeated."
One of the more unfortunate features of Bush's presidency has been the deliberate blurring of lines between the core Al Qaeda leadership and the global movement that was inspired by its campaign of mass murder.
Still, those ubiquitous historians will find that Bush has at least been consistent in his desire to tie together terrorists, dictators and weapons of mass destruction. In that first speech to ongress seven years ago, President Bush made almost no mention of foreign policy—except for this: "Our nation also needs a clear strategy to confront the threats of the 21st century—threats that are more widespread and less certain. They range from terrorists who threaten
with bombs to tyrants in rogue nations intent upon developing weapons of mass destruction."
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Member Comments
Posted By: mohd sheikh @ 03/12/2008 9:08:41 AM
Comment: Mr Richard Wolffe in his article has mentioned that the President Bush has most notably failed to live up by his own standard set at the start of his office to either the tone or the result he promised about the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Perhaps he forgot to mention Pakistan where the American Administration has not only failed against war on terrorism but the General Musharraf military dictator who is following MR Bush against the payment of 80 Millions per month have also failed. In Afghanistan Mr. Karzai controls only 30% of land and Pakistani regime could account for only 30% of the dollars obtained from USA.
President Bush in his second term oath taking ceremony promised to introduce, protect and spread democracy all over the world. But he left aside his golden principle for introduction of democracy for Pakistan and for General Musharrf and failed to fulfill the promise he made in his oath taking speech.
General Musharraf abrogate the Constitution though he himself had taken oath to protect it to the best of his ability, he removed 60 judges of the high and Supreme Court. The Chief Justice of Pakistan is still under detention along with other fellow judges. He curbed media arrested lawyers and who opposed his action. He solely trimmed the Constitution just for making himself genuinely elected president of Pakistan, whereas, the Constitution does not permit army General to seek election for any public office.
Pakistan has rejected the worst governance and lawlessness of Musharraf on 18 February 2008 Elections. Neither Musharraf nor his style of governance is acceptable to the people. They want change, peace, food and shelter, remedy of their problems, rule of Law and independent judiciary so they could have access to justice.
M. Saleem Sheikh, Advocate
Pakistan
Posted By: Jaromir31 @ 02/05/2008 4:04:34 AM
Comment: REOPEN 9/11 INVESTIGATION!!! LOCK BUSH AND HIS GANG UP FOR LIFE!!!
Posted By: Jaromir31 @ 02/05/2008 3:55:44 AM
Comment: What happened to the real open 9/11 investigation? How come none of the presidential candidates are mentioning it? They are all afraid, that the truth would come out.
For Bush to make any progress against terrorists at all, he would have to lock himself and his gang up. Him and his gang planned and executed 9/11! Many people know it now. All this bla bla bla about freedom in US. There is no freedom, they are just creating more fear and paranoia. Yeah, and be carefull if you mention the constitution too much, you will be considered a terrorist.
Also his new budget clearly shows that he is more interested in making the walthy even more waelthy and screw the rest.