White House recruited Clintonites to get out Iraq message

[sabra]

http://www.insightmag.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=5D3B38F8A2584DB5A77BA05660C6045C&nm=Free+Access&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=6D23B1833DD94729BBDAFC8A15A9DD3D

White House recruited Clintonites to get out Iraq message

The Bush administration approved the hiring of former aides of President Bill Clinton to help promote its Iraq strategy.


Administration sources said the White House quietly retained former members of the Clinton administration to help market President Bush's campaign in Iraq. The sources said a handful of former Clinton aides have helped the president in areas such as media relations, public outreach and speechwriting as Mr. Bush has barnstormed the country in efforts to explain the administration’s policy.

"These are not policy or political people," an administration source said. "They are well-connected to circles that we want to enter so we can tell our side of the story. We just can't preach to the converted."

The sources said the former Clinton aides opened doors for Mr. Bush to Congress, think tanks and Democratic strongholds. The Clintonites were said to have been instrumental in obtaining the support of several leading Democratic members of Congress regarding the U.S. military presence in Iraq. They cited such support by Sen. Joseph Lieberman of Connecticut and Sen. Hillary Clinton of New York.

The Clintonites were brought into the White House by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the sources said. They said Miss Rice, regarded as the member of the administration closest to Mr. Bush, has assessed that Democratic support was vital to maintain the U.S. military presence in Iraq over the remainder of Mr. Bush's presidential term.

[babylonsister]

1. Peter Feaver, Wikipedia:

Peter D. Feaver is a professor of political science at Duke University. He is on sabbatical until August 2006 in the Bush administration, as a special advisor for strategic planning and institutional reform on the National Security Council.

Feaver also served as Director for Defense Policy and Arms Control at the National Security Council during the Clinton administration. He is also lieutenant commander in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

[bryant69]

2. Interesting

But not too surprising. Clinton was a centrist; naturally some of the people who worked for him would be a bit further to the right.

The real deciet in this article is the suggestion that working for Clinton makes one a gold star Liberal, when in reality, it means nothing of the sort.

Bryant
Check it out --> http://politicalcomment.blogspot.com

[kaygore]

3. I hope that Hillary isn't planning to run for president

Hasn't she read the polls? Even the Fundamentalists are not drinking the Iraq Koolaid any more.

[robbedvoter]

4. What's a Clintonite? I only see one guy's name. The plural is used

the same way Holly Joe is "democrats", Hoffa Jr is "Unions" and Donna Brazille is "African Americans"
What a piece of RW trash - and how well it's working on ya! :shrug:

P.S. Since Joe's name appears there too, I remind you his preaching against Clinton at impeachment time. Can they have it both ways with him?

[pinto]

5. A few words about the messenger here, from Insight's "About Us" page:

fwiw

About Insight

A weekly intelligence briefing on Washington politics

Insight on the News is America’s premier weekly Internet news magazine dedicated to providing cutting-edge background information from the corridors of power in Washington, D.C.

Whether it is the White House, Capitol Hill, national security or federal agencies, Insight aims to provide readers with exclusive, insider knowledge on the key issues and political developments of the day. Insight is a unique publication that combines aggressive investigative reporting with off-the-record information to help keep its readers ahead of the curve on Washington politics.

Published by News World Communications like its sister publication The Washington Times, Insight provides its subscribers an intelligence briefing on the Washington behind the lights and cameras. Insight features exclusive articles by top Washington reporters from some of the world's most serious news organizations.

Insight also features commentary by renowned pundits such as Wesley Pruden, Mark Steyn, Donald Lambro, David Horowitz, Michelle Malkin, John O’Sullivan and others.

By focusing on political intelligence and insider news within the Beltway, Insight is a new kind of publication that puts a high premium on uncovering exclusive information for those interested in understanding how Washington really works.

http://www.insightmag.com/ME2/dirsect.asp?sid=38594B6394DE4F19898978BA7D9517E6&nm=About+Us

[librechik]

13. thanks, and Bingo!

more reasons to hate Clinton--jeez, where could that be coming from???

Who else!

[papau]

6. A right wing PR sheet says Clinton on board with Bush - not true, but why

say such a stupid thing.

Perhaps to get it posted by the Dems that have other than Clinton in mind for 08?

Implies a lot of fear of Hillary by the GOP.

It also assumes Dems have not read all the bashes of the Bush Iraq policy that Hillary has issued.

It indeed assumes the "out now" folks are one issue and will walk if a "not out now - out in 24 months instead" - person is nominated.

Interesting.

Now I need a shower to rid me of the effects of going over to the Insight site.

[radio4progressives]

9. What's the point in Bashing Bush Policies in "Off the Radar" Screen?

Why not be "on the record" by holding full court presss for the plethora of "bush bashing" that either of the Clinton's have issued.

And while I'm at it, what is the point in defending any Senator or Congress member's position in favor of the Iraq War, even after the WMD's canard was fully exposed, especially for those who KNEW better, like HRC?

[papau]

11. "Off the Radar" does confuse until U see it is just news of the day

As to "any Senator or Congress member's position in favor of the Iraq War" what Dem beyond Lieverman has such a position?

Now Hillary may well stumble because her nuanced well thought out positions - in the same way Gore and Kerry stumbled -

And a Dean would sell better if the media would let him.

But Hillary's position on the merits is not a bad position - out soon, have deadline goals, give out accomplishment goals to Iraqis - and an out date in 24 months.

Bush has crapped on our safety with this Iraq war - and I'd like some repair work done. The Greater Iran/Iraq of all Shia, plus a Kurdistan at war with Turkey, plus a right wing SUNI God party sponsored by the Sunni Wanabi folks in Western Iraq are a nightmare that deserves at least an attempt to avoid.

Granted I give the chance of repair no more than 50/50 - and 80/20 against with anyone other than Hillary - but we should attempt repair.

[radio4progressives]

10. And another thing, HRC and Partner was ON BOARD with Bush Iraq policy..

it is NOT a secret for krise sakes! What is this? Why select an informational sheet from an extremist right wing moonie source, when plenty of other sources are available, including your own eyes for the past five years if they were even open.

It is NOT a secret that HRC has been on board with this War.

and by the way, the Iraq War is far bigger than a "one issue" matter and goes way beyond Iraq.

[papau]

12. I agree Iraq is bigger than one issue - I disagree with HRC being on

board, or Bill, if they knew the facts before the vote. I agree HRC and Bill are on board to make whatever is the US policy overseas work, if at all possible - and to say Saddam bad whenever asked.

I do not like HRC not saying her IWR vote was a mistake in that that she trusted "W".

But then I do not call the shots on anything. :-)

My eyes may well be closed and not catching what others catch - but If one says Hill is on board with Bush I sure would like to see - or have those that see better than I point out -something she said that indicates that is true.

[politicaholic]

7. Right...like they're going to convert anyone now...

there are republican rats swimming from the ship already, like they'll be able to bring dems on board to swab the deck and set it sail again.

There are some politicians that are as dumb as a sack of wet spinich, but gimme a break.

[Zhade]

8. Huh.

Really.