The Left

“Bring them on”

I’m not as bothered as many other lefties by Bush’s Texas-macho persona, but I think it’s got him into some trouble now.

Answering a reporter’s question Wednesday about attacks on American soldiers in Iraq, he said, “Anybody who wants to harm American troops will be found and brought to justice. There are some that feel like if they attack us that we may decide to leave prematurely. They don’t understand what they are talking about if that is the case. Let me finish. There are some who feel like the conditions are such that they can attack us there. My answer is, bring them on.”

Bring them on? We’re not talking about a barroom brawl here, George. We’re talking about US soldiers who are being killed and wounded almost daily. Do you think they and their families will be pleased to hear you urging Iraqis– however figuratively– to give us their best shot?

Democratic Presidential candidate Dick Gephardt (who supported the Iraq war) responded: “We need a clear plan to bring stability to Iraq and an honest discussion with the American people on the cost of that endeavor. We need a serious attempt to develop a postwar plan for Iraq and not more shoot-from-the-hip one-liners.”

Well, yes.