Conservative pundits can't agree on Iraq war...attacking each other

Conservative pundits can't agree on Iraq war
Pundits on the right attacking each other

By Robin Abcarian
Los Angeles Times
Originally published May 30, 2004

John Podhoretz can barely contain his anger. When asked about the turmoil in right-wing intellectual circles over the war in Iraq, Podhoretz, a conservative New York Post columnist and author, practically sputters.

"I find the lack of steadiness on the part of some people to be intellectually appalling," he says. Members of the pro-war intelligentsia, says Podhoretz, should buck up. "If they're losing heart, it's because they didn't think things would be tough for them. They thought they could dance around and say, 'We were right and you were wrong.' Well, people in Iraq have it tougher than the columnists and intellectuals who are having people say mean things to them at cocktail parties."

Cocktail parties are the least of it. A kind of bad-news spiral - the detainee-abuse scandal at Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad, the vicious killing of American Nicholas Berg, the protracted insurgency in Fallujah and Najaf, sinking presidential approval ratings, testy congressional hearings, calls for the resignation of Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld - has many conservative thinkers quarreling among themselves and put many into an unaccustomed defensive crouch.

Just listen to William Kristol, the vociferously pro-war editor of the influential neoconservative Weekly Standard, a recent guest on The Daily Show, Comedy Central's left-leaning sendup of the news. Host Jon Stewart is comparing President Bush's prosecution of the war in Iraq to a driver who ended up in a ditch. And Kristol momentarily finds himself agreeing.

"Well, that's right, he did drive us into a ditch," says Kristol, before catching himself and stammering: "Or not into a ditch - we've had a slight - we've slightly veered off the road - you're sucking me into that one," he protests, as the audience howls.

"I've never seen you this easily slumping before," says Stewart.

"It's been a tough week," says Kristol. "It's been a tough six weeks. What can I tell ya? I need to put my game face on better when I get back to Washington."

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nationworld/iraq/bal-te.conservatives30may30,0,4128049.story?coll=bal-iraq-headlines

He said he felt he could be honest there. I remember it because I was shocked that he would admit that basically he was lying otherwise. It was when he was stammering, and I played it over several times. He was back in form in a couple days. I heard some quote by him that proved he recovered from his honesty.

just because they can't admit he's a horrible president.

This country is in trouble.

I was watching the show when he said it. We have dish with a playback thing. I actually wrote it down verbatim, but have since discarded it. That is how shocked I was. It will be replayed soon I am sure.

it makes the whole party look weak and splintered in the public eye, no sense of unity.

The High School football game theory of international politics.
Someone needs to tell them that it isn't a good cheerleading
squad that wins for you.

Policy is driven by re-election only. They are very clever.s For example Norm Coleman did vote against ANWR. I have always believed that he knew it would happen eventually anyways, and it would pacify some mid of the roaders who helped to elect him. He has done it with other votes too. They think we are really stupid.

Web sites help Republican singles find `right' mate

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x592592

I guess all the eugenics drivel is only for the underclasses.
Nice pic BTW.

to prevent Republicans from getting married.

I find this highly amusing.

is one of the worst of the bunch...his comment..."intellectually appalling" is a riot. His whole Bush blowing book fits that description to a tee. He is "Wholly without Merit." And BTW the right won't forgive Kristol because he was a McCain supporter so he'll be th 1st they paint and disloyal.

I'd like to see Podhoretz stripped naked, piled in a pyramid with Wolfowitz, Feith and Scooter, and forced to simulate sex acts with Google.

I am sure they would add up to at least a platoon, maybe even more. Then, they could be air-dropped into Iraq to put their ideas into action. Conservatives like being "men of action" don't they?

And I do mean "moron"!

I thought the new term was "fancy-pants elitists." And I thought only the LEFT wing had them, while the right wing ran on an uncomplicated, God-fearing, Joe-six-pack vibe!

:headbang:
rocknation