PrintOctober 20, 2004
The Lessons of 9-11
Not even President Bush's biggest fans claim that he's articulate, and the President himself cheerfully pokes fun at his inability to use the English language very well. But when it comes to the War on Terrorism, this isn't a laughing matter. Every time the President gives a major speech about the War — as he did again on Monday, in New Jersey — he winds up asserting his policy, rather than explaining it. He alludes to 'the lessons of 9—11,' but never quite spells out what these lessons are. While the President's speeches are satisfying to those who already agree with him, they aren't persuasive to many of those who don't.
The immediate danger is that this latter group proves large enough to cost the President his re—election. The longer—term danger is that, even if the President wins on November 2, support for his policies overseas will continue to erode. This will make it more difficult in the years ahead for him...(Read Full Article)
