As Easy as 1 & 2, and Repeat
Last week, as anticipated, George W. Bush dipped into his $150 million money-bag to attack John F. Kerry, the future Democratic presidential nominee. Without loosing a beat, George W. Bush is following the same script that has worked so well for his administration over the past three years: 1. Question your opponent’s patriotism, and 2. Invoke the tragic memory of 9/11.
Here’s how George W. Bush mis-leads us in his latest attack ads:
1. Question your opponent’s patriotism: In the early- and mid-90s, after the Cold War ended, both parties sought to cash-in the so-called “Peace Dividend” by cutting back on military spending; and, instead, use that money to pay down the national debt and reinvest here at home. At the time, both parties called for closing military bases and for cutting “wasteful weapons programs.” For example, George H. Bush (George W. Bush’s father, and the 41st President) called for shutting down production of the B-2 bomber, reducing missile programs and mentioned that, “By 1997 we will have cut defense by 30% since I took office.” (George H. Bush, State of the Union address, January 28, 1992.)
Of course, George H. Bush wasn’t the only one trying to cash-in the “Peace Dividend.” Dick Cheney, the Secretary of Defense under George H. Bush, and the current Vice President, during a hearing at the Senate three days after the 1992 State of the Union address, said:
Overall, since I’ve been Secretary, we will have taken the five-year defense program down by well over $300 billion. That’s the peace dividend… And now we’re adding to that another $50 billion… of so-called peace dividend.
In his attack ad George W. Bush ignores the consensus that existed on the Peace Dividend; and, instead, questions John F. Kerry’s patriotic instincts when in 1995 the Senator sought to reduce the intelligence services’ budget by $300 million, out of an estimated annual budget of $28 billion (or 1% of that year’s estimated budget). If calling for a 1% reduction in defense related spending leads George W. Bush to question one’s patriotism, what does he have to say about his father’s call to reduce total military spending by 30%? For that matter, what does George W. Bush have to say about Dick Cheney, his own Vice President, who called for cutting military spending by $300 billion?
2. Invoke the tragic memory of 9/11: Since 9/11, George W. Bush has regularly invoked that day’s memory to justify virtually every policy action he’s made, all the while reluctantly complying with and halfheartedly supporting 9/11 inspired reforms. In his latest ad, George W. Bush uses images of the World Trade Center and of flag-covered caskets as his image, framed by an American flag in the background, comes into focus. Some families of the 9/11 victims have reminded the President that images of that day should not be used lightly, nor exploited for political gain. The families have also asked George W. Bush to cooperate with the 9/11 Commission investigating that day’s events. Until recently, George W. Bush had refused to meet with members of the Commission. Then, after some urging by 9/11 families, he changed his mind and agreed to meet for an hour with two members of the Commission. And now, after more clamoring for George W. Bush to cooperate, he has finally agreed to meet “as long as needed” with only two members of the Commission. This pattern of forced compliance also preceded the formation of the Department of Homeland Security. Initially, George W. Bush refused any call to reform federal security agencies. Like with the 9/11 Commission, it was only after public urging that George W. Bush relented and appointed Tom Ridge to lead a group charged with exploring possible reforms. Again, George W. Bush unenthusiastically supported Tom Ridge’s initial suggestions. Subsequently, George W. Bush was forced by legilators to support — and fund — the formation of the Department of Homeland Security.
We deserve better!
