Flip Flop?

[DrunkCajun]

In light of last night's speech, I thought I'd clear some dust off of some quotes from our President back when he was running for his current position.

First, last night:

Some contend that we should set a deadline for withdrawing U.S. forces. Let me explain why that would be a serious mistake.

Setting an artificial timetable would send the wrong message to the Iraqis, who need to know that America will not leave before the job is done.

It would send the wrong signal to our troops, who need to know that we are serious about completing the mission they are risking their lives to achieve.

And it would send the wrong message to the enemy, who would know that all they have to do is to wait us out.

We will stay in Iraq as long as we are needed and not a day longer.

On the 24th of June:

It doesn’t make any sense to have a timetable. You know, if you give a timetable, you’re — you’re conceding too much to the enemy.

Finally, during his campaign in 1999:

Victory means exit strategy, and it’s important for the president to explain to us what the exit strategy is.

I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.

Discuss amongst yourselves.

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

Eh... it's only reason #4,549,120,943,945 why politicians can't be trusted.

[Amra]

Originally Posted by Governor Bush
I think it’s also important for the president to lay out a timetable as to how long they will be involved and when they will be withdrawn.

DC, this was in regards to what? Occupation of Iraq?

More info please.

[krzyhobo]

DC, this was in regards to what? Occupation of Iraq?

More info please.

I would hope otherwise since it's from 1999 :lol:

[Stevinator]

hmmm, not really the big flip flop, in 1999, he's prolly talking about our actions in the balkans, anyways, he's clearly not talking about the type of activities we're doing in Iraq.

I'd be surprised if you couldn't come up with a least a couple good flip flops for him if you went farther back in his life. Remember Bush had quite the exciting youth.

[Garbad_the_Weak]

Even Bush gets wiser with age.

Garbad

[DrunkCajun]

he's prolly talking about our actions in the balkans

He was at the time criticizing Clinton for not laying out a timetable for our involvement in the Balkans, indeed.

I merely found it relevant given the smugness with which he has dismissed requests for even a ballpark estimate of when we're going to stop sinking billions upon billions of dollars and hundreds of US lives into Iraq, and the fact that the right wing's main argument against the Democratic attempt at the White House was that he wasn't consistent on his positions. I think saying that victory isn't possible without a timetable for withdrawal is a pretty stark contrast from what he's saying these days.

EDIT: If you dig down this page you'll see that first quote of the two: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/George_W._Bush

It was in the Houston Chronicle April 9, 1999.

The other is found here: http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache...&hl=en&start=1

[maccool]

Well, to be fair, the flip-flop issue only fooled half the voting population in 2004.

[DrunkPotHead]

What pisses me off more is this:

I hear right-wingers saying: listen to the public! Ban *** marriage, allow religious symbols in public, etc.

Then when Kerry flip-flopped to represent the people who voted for him, he's a flip-flopper.

Then when Bush is losing the public's approval (less than 50% with Iraq war), the right still praises him for his beliefs and not caring what anyone thinks.

So I want a clear answer: Should politicians listen to the public or should they just follow their beliefs?

[Johnny]

I think his speech on how USA need to stop sending its troops to other countries in the 1999 election was a much better flip flop.