All you need to know about the Republican Presidential candidates is summed up by the AP headline, "GOP Hopefuls Generally Agree on Iraq." At their debate on ABC today, all the Republicans (except Ron Paul) reiterated their commitment to keep the U.S. in Iraq. The GOP hopefuls agree with Bush:
Arizona Sen. John McCain, former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani and Romney, the most prominent contenders, agreed the United States must remain in Iraq. So, too, Brownback, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, former Wisconsin Gov. Tommy Thompson and Reps. Tom Tancredo of Colorado and Duncan Hunter of California.
There's no clearer distinction between the Republicans and Democratic candidates then on the issue of Iraq. GOP policy is stay the course. Democratic policy is change the course and get us out.
Romney basically morphed himself into Bush through an exchange with Ron Paul:
"Just come home," dissented Texas Rep. Ron Paul, the lone advocate of a quick troop withdrawal on a presidential campaign debate stage. He said there had never been a good reason to go to war in the first place.
"Has he forgotten about 9/11?" interjected former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney.
How many times has Bush uttered a line like that? The 2008 Republican candidates are using Karl Rove's 2004 play book. In 2008, like 2004, the GOP message is that we invaded Iraq because of 9/11. It's a lie, but that doesn't matter.
And after watching the Democrats capitulate on the FISA bill, the GOPers must think their strategy of lying about terrorism will work again. Fortunately, the American people get it - even if the pols and pundits don't.
