White House hits back at Democratic critics (CNN)

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (CNN)

With the controversy over prewar intelligence on Iraq growing, the White House has decided to strike back harder at President Bush's strongest critics in the Democratic Party, according to sources.

"If this is the turf they want to play on, by all means let's do it," a senior administration official told CNN on Wednesday.

Vice President Dick Cheney told House Republicans he hopes to be more aggressive in defending the White House from Democratic charges that the administration manipulated intelligence data to bolster the case for war, according to two senior GOP congressional aides. ---

"He said Republicans should focus on the big picture, that the Niger uranium issue was only part of the case against Saddam Hussein," said one GOP aide.

A separate GOP source said Cheney promised to get talking points on the matter to House Republicans for distribution as soon as possible. ---

Several GOP congressional sources told CNN there was some frustration among Hill Republicans who believe they did not have clear direction from the White House on the issue.

Banish bush From Texas Too

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Dig a deeper hole guys..this isn't going away!

Nor is the story of how you compromised the career of Wilson's wife.

[Frances]

16. I am so discouraged

I looked at the Post online today and the front page looks as though Cheney designed it.

[htuttle]

2. "Bring em on!" they say again

I don't think these people are capable of learning from their mistakes...

Sure, Dick, lets look at the 'other reasons' for the war in Iraq. Then we can all see that they were ALL false...

[NYC]

3. Agreed. Many of us have thought we should broaden our attack.

.

[sangha]

6. Yep!! Bring them on!!!!

I can't wait until ALL their lies get exposed

[Classical_Liberal]

Yay, we can now focus on all the adminstrations other lies

This news just made my day!

[cjbuchanan]

4. Cheney doesn't get it (no surprise)

Yes, there is a problem with these words but the reason this story is not going away is that the big picture is awful.

Everyday more Americans die.
Everyday more money is spent there that could have helped out here.
Everyday no WMD are found.
And everyday Saddam is still out there.

Cheney should be happy the press is only focusing on this one issue.

[Clete]

5. Coming soon...

...the next outspoken Democrat who meets with an "unfortunate accident". Senator Edward Kennedy better start watching his back amongst others for being outspokenly critical of the actions of this mis-administration.

[havocmom]

7. Here's hoping the Texas Dems taught the D.C. Dems a thing or two

about intestinal fortitude. We help by sending mail, email and phone calls. Keep reminding them that they are our dogs in this fight for America and we intend to win with them or with a new team, but we mean to win.

[sandnsea]

8. focus on the big picture lol

No, Dick, the Niger uranium is the little picture. That's not going to work either.

[cspiguy]

they neeed "thinking points" not just talking points...

"A separate GOP source said Cheney promised to get talking points on the matter to House Republicans for distribution as soon as possible. ---" :eyes:

[Sophree]

40. It must be tough

To get their stories straight. Common criminals, they are.

[spotbird]

41. As if they aren’t using talking points now.

1. Only 16 words.
2. Tenet ‘fessed up, it’s over.
3. The statement was technically correct.
4. The British still think there might be some truth to the claim (but won’t say why ‘cus it’s secret).
5. We found graves with thousands of bodies in them, it was right to invade.
6. We will find the WMD it’s only been 10 weeks. No UN investigators are necessary

[Mountainman]

9. did not have clear direction from the White House

WTF, I thought these guys made up their own minds. They really are Cheney's automatons.

Cheney will give out the talking points to the House Rethugs,
The cable news organizaions,
All the conservative talk radio stations,
And to chimpy himself.

They will be repeated and repeated by freepers.

This administration is on the ropes and they are trying to fight back.

Next we will here that the war coverage will be managed by Cheney.

[webtrainer]

19. No talking points = nothing to say

I'm surprised there would be more than a moment's delay in distributing these "talking points". Seems like that would indicate the lack of a real story to tell on the part of Cheney et al. I would be surprised that this story came out talking about his role, seems like he'd be ever-deeper in his hidey-hole.

Maybe this means they do realize that the more they say, the more questions raised, the more a real inquiry will be needed and voted for by Congress.

[DrBB]

10. Great news! They really are as dumb as you could hope

...Ah, yes. Stonewalling. Their answer to everything and the absolute WORST solution for this kind of situation. Got all the shovels you need, Dick? Cause if not, we'd be glad to supply 'em to you. Nice big steam shovel, you want it.

Keep diggin boy, keep diggin! Ruff!

[MattNC]

11. stupid move

Why are they trying to rock the boat? Although the heat's been turned up a little bit on the administration b/c of the Niger-uranium issue, they've weathered it ok, and I don't see why they'd want to open themselves up to more criticism with the "bigger picture" as you guys mentioned.

[diplomats]

29. I'm not sure they have weathered it

That's why they're doing this and calling back Mary Matalin.

[Beetwasher]

12. Yes, let's focus on the "big picture" shall we?

Now exactly what is some of the OTHER evidence that was used in the case against SH? Let's discuss shall we? Do you really want to go there, Dick?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

27. In particular....

What did YOU say on MTP, again. Reconstituting what? Could you repeat that, I didn't hear you?

[Beetwasher]

38. If this is their best, they're in a LOT of trouble

They're going to attack Dems w/ Ad Hominems and by sayng "You thought they had WMD's too in '98!!!" and they're going to try the old bait and switch by changing WMD's to PROGRAMS...It ain't gonna work. It's too late to get ahead of this scandal and they're explanations are too involved and not simple enough.

[Sushi_lover]

13. Talking points. Goodie!

Will they teach the Repubs how to do the Rumsfeld handwaving thing too?

The Oracle will soon issue forth some talking points from Mount O-Chimp-Us. Wonderful. Sure beats plain speaking to the American people. Sure beats a Bush press conference where he sets the record straight.

[gratuitous]

14. Wow, the perfect counterattack article

Golly CNN, way to carry the Republicans' water for them. Not one substantive rebuttal of the points being made by the Democrats and other critics of this corrupt administration, just a lot of bluster and tough talk from a bunch of blowhards under the misleading headline that this is the Republicans "hitting back."

Keep fighting on this one. It isn't going away, but they won't give it up easily. It's up to us to bring this one in for a landing, right on Chimpy's pointy little head.

[rhino91063]

Only the F***ing republicans

Would consider life and death of war "play". They consider the cover up of bush's crimes of mass murder, nothing different then playing a game of monopoly!

[rhino91063]

15. Only the F***ing republicans

Would consider life and death of war "play". They consider the cover up of bush's crimes of mass murder, nothing different then playing a game of monopoly!

[damnraddem]

17. What's wrong with the White House?

Don't they realize that Republicans in Congress need lots of help in keeping the lies straight?

[MGKrebs]

18. Oh boy! This is gonna be good!

What possible "talking points" could they have? Is there other information they did not share with Congress? Or the UN? Or our allies? Why would that be? What? There is no other info? Well everything they DID share has been discredited!

BRING IT ON PUNKS!

[janx]

20. "did not have clear direction from the White House"

Are they incapable of thinking for themselves? Do they have to be so lockstep as to be "directed" with "talking points"?

For the love of God, this really IS fascism!

[Kolesar]

21. "First they ignore you, Then they ridicule you, Then they fight you"

"Then you win"
I think I have my Ghandi quote correct

[Beetwasher]

24. Exactly!

They wanted to ignore it and declared "case closed", then they started screaming "PARTISAN PARTISAN PARTISAN", Now they're starting a coordinated attack...It's too late...The damage is done, anything they do know reeks of desperation and cover-up...

[LuminousX]

22. This Becomes One of Our Talking Points

"Does your Senator or Representative truly represent your and your state or does he/she rely upon 'Talking Points' from the President to know what to think and say regarding national issues?"

[NewYorkerfromMass]

28. Yes. 100% True

no minds (or hearts) of their own.

[sam sarrha]

23. patterns emerge

there are patterns emerging, First one MUST READ www.RenanaBrooks.com *click recent articles.. explaines the cowboy attitude. the comment, "If this is the turf they want to play on, by all means let's do it," Dr Renana Brooks has some really intersting comments on this agressive and abusive behavior. the word "Turf", as related to the way it is used, from the American Heratage Dictionary, reads: <4>slang, the area claimed by a juvenile gang as its personal territory." i think this explaines a lot. the "... lets do it," is non sequetor, it doesnt relate to the turf comment.. do what.. and by any means..the end justifies the means..even assination? thats been a means in the past, JFK,RFK,King Jr,other liberals that got in the way and murder is part of "ALL MEANS". The- "...then let's do it," or then 'let us do it' why do we have to let them do it..'what' and why? also, the talking points, they are getting their story straight so the right patsy falls..protecting the real Cancer of the goverment. i personally would like to see the TRUTH POINTS. talk is cheap, and cheap trash lately.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

39. That article is a must read!

:thumbsup:

[Nottingham]

25. Threaten Yell! I'm gonna get YOU! Thats Cheney defense mode!

What truly is amazing is Cheney is gonna put his Party through Hell the US through Hell so he can keep his power.

He is going to stay in power as long as he can.

:bounce:
Its gonna be a Battle and its WAR!

[benfranklin1776]

26. House Republicans "did not have clear direction on this one"

"NO one told us what to think and say" they wail. Pathetic lemmings. "Please Rush, Please Bill, Please Mr. Goebbels" tell us what to say, we're lost." No matter. Bring on the talking points and by all means lets begin discussing ALL of Junior and the boys' patent falsehoods and exaggerations used to grease the skids to war. And perchance Dick will you be issuing a denial that you were the person who had the bogus uranium info inserted in the state of the union along with your propaganda points for the herd?

[DBoon]

30. All like that

"Rush said it and I believe it". Don't call them dittoheads for nothing

[DBoon]

31. All like that

"Rush said it and I believe it". Don't call them dittoheads for nothing

[Trajan]

32. WHY not let their conscience be their guide ???? .....

WHY wait for 'talking points' ? ...

Perhaps they need to sychronize their watches ? ....

""He said Republicans should focus on the big picture, that the Niger uranium issue was only part of the case against Saddam Hussein," said one GOP aide."

Yes Dickie: .. PLEASE bring up the FACT that ALL the other parts of the case were JUST AS FALSE as the Niger letter ....

PLEASE do: .....

Note: .... there was NO imminent threat from the Iraqis against the US or its allies ......

These fellas ARE digging a deeper hole ....

[study_war_no_more]

34. This is no game

Surprize!!
As for turf an investment of money will never outweigh a investment in the dignity of America (we still remember what it was like to be proud) which you have dragged in the mud with your greed and death and fear.
LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP LIHOP

[underpants]

33. Their "Big Picture" misses the point (as usual)

The point isn't the one line but that it is the MO for them. They didn't need any intelligence to make this decision, they had already made it up before they stole the election.

So Kerry and Levin wrote letters....so they wanted something done about the chance of WMD but is war the first thing that comes to mind? What about oh I dunno inspections and cutting off sources of parts.

This also is not short and compressed for the masses. That is their strong suit (as opposed to discussing issues), they are getting away from their running game.

[BadGimp]

35. Well it's Official: We got ourselves a Fight!

So I shall invoke my Bushit Lies Wall of Defiance!

[webtrainer]

36. Sen. McCONNELL on Cspan 2 has his talking points

from the WH complete with pictures of Saddam's gas attacks . . .

Let the whitewash begin!

[robbedvoter]

37. Talking points: "nonsense!" "It's been answered before"

http://www.wokr13.tv/news/national/story.aspx?content_id=DB2DDFFE-F375-4E09-A607-5D6146D089B5



> White House disputes account of Tenet testimony on Iraq uranium
>
> (White House-AP) -- The White House is disputing an account of CIA chief
> George Tenet's testimony about the Iraq uranium furor.
> A senator who heard the secret testimony -- Democrat Dick Durbin -- says
> Tenet named a White House official who insisted President Bush's State
> of the Union speech include a dubious claim that Iraq tried to buy
> uranium in Africa.

[Cheswick2.0]

42. they can't talk without directions from the whitehouse????

? no wonder they are such fools

[underpants]

43. They are putting up the 'Saddam was a bad guy' routine

Which everyone agrees on. That was not one of the reasons they gave, sorry try again.

This is of course revisionist history, you can't change the reasons for doing something AFTER you do it.

[TEXASYANKEE]

44. You can ..

... with our lazy, corrupt, pathetic, disinterested, corporate media. Sadly enough.

I want to get all excited about this. But I honestly think that the media will listen to what Cheney says, go "oh right, nothing here, sorry to have bothered you" and go on to lambast the Dem candidate.

[FubarFly]

45. The blood is in the water

The "trained sharks" in the media might want to ignore this, but they won't be able to for long.

The scent of blood will overpower them.

They'll have to feed.

It's their nature.

:bounce: :bounce: :bounce:

[Cheswick2.0]

46. okay let's examine this Saddam was a bad guy point

did he kill (what was it?) 7000 of his own people in a month? Well we did, right? So who is the bad guy and just exactly how liberated are those dead Iraqis?

[Gingersnap]

47. "talking points" = WH wants house and senate to defend them

The WH should be defending itself. What could the House and Senate repubs possibly know about what went on behind closed doors at the WH. Now, admitting that they don't know what's going on, the WH will distribute talking points so that they can do the dirty propaganda work.

Let's hope the house and senate repubs aren't willing to go down with this sinking ship.