TPM Reader RF on the Gitmo shell game …
I don’t think Bush’s political gamesmanship with the transfer to Gitmo of the 14 prisoners is such a big deal. Clever, yes, but not “spectacular ambush” or “best maneuvers of his presidency”: (1) Bush’s trustworthiness is still below 50%, so there’s fertile ground for Dems to argue that he’s once again manipulating events for political advantage – if they’ll only say so (unlike Pelosi’s tepid response yesterday) (2) The big issue is still Iraq – Dems should be saying this, too.
The really big issue is Bush’s incompetence. Why the Dems haven’t made this a theme in this election – in fact, a constant theme since 2002 – escapes me. Like Charlie Brown, everything he touches gets ruined. Dems should have an obsession about reminding people in detail how much Bush knew, or was in a position to know, about 9/11 (or Iraq/Katrina/deficit …) and then rhetorically asking how any more knowledge could improve things. To get specific about the congressional elections, Representative X (or Senator Y) should point out how Repubs in both houses of congress have refused oversight and accountability. Just my $0.02.
RF is right on in noting that most people no longer trust the president. And that is very fertile ground.
