Jun 30 2003
Hasn’t a clue
The best reason in the world to contribute to the Howard Dean campaign: George W. Bush.
Meeting last month at a sweltering U.S. base outside Doha, Qatar, with his top Iraq commanders, President Bush skipped quickly past the niceties and went straight to his chief political obsession: Where are the weapons of mass destruction? Turning to his Baghdad proconsul, Paul Bremer, Bush asked, “Are you in charge of finding WMD?” Bremer said no, he was not. Bush then put the same question to his military commander, General Tommy Franks. But Franks said it wasn’t his job either. A little exasperated, Bush asked, So who is in charge of finding WMD? After aides conferred for a moment, someone volunteered the name of Stephen Cambone, a little-known deputy to Donald Rumsfeld, back in Washington. Pause. “Who?” Bush asked.
Not only is Mr. Bush incapable of finding any weapons of mass destruction in Iraq (the main justification we were given for going to war with that country), he doesn’t even know who in his administration is in charge of finding them.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again — the man is as dumb as toast.
Top that off with the fact that his perpetual “war on terrorism” is an obvious failure, and you’ve got every reason in the world to replace him with somebody in whom we can place our trust and confidence.
Less than two years after the US-led Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan is re-emerging as a terrorism hotspot on radar screens.
A spate of attacks and an increase in intercepted electronic ‘chatter’ indicate that the Al-Qaeda network could be re-establishing its foothold there.
Intelligence officials said this communication buzz and tapes reportedly released by Mullah Mohammed Omar, former leader of the Taleban, suggest that Osama bin Laden has renewed his partnership with it. The Taleban have been regrouping in the far-flung areas of the country.
The Al-Qaeda has also formed new tie-ups with outfits such as the Hizbi Islami of renegade Afghan warlords like Gulbuddin Hekmatyar. Some of its members, who had fled to Pakistan in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, are beginning to return.
It’s time we had a true leader in America. It’s time for Howard Dean!
