WH Admits ROVE - Making Tactical Decisions On Iraq For Political Purposes

[kpete]

'Rove would never allow it'

Posted By Carpetbagger On 26th October 2006

On Tuesday's edition of the CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, CBS White House correspondent Jim Axelrod mentioned that he's spoken with some White House officials about possible changes to the president's policy for the war in Iraq. He added what should have been a rather startling comment.

AXELROD: Well, the White House is in quite a bind, Katie, because on one hand, it has to project some sense of resolve, certainly to keep appealing to its base. On the other hand, they read the polls, and they know that voters want a change in Iraq policy. But as far as any significant change, a White House official tells me, do not expect to see anything significant prior to Election Day. Quoting, "You're not going to see anything before November 8th. It would be political suicide, and Karl Rove would never allow it." (emphasis added)

COURIC: But why is it political suicide if so many people are unhappy with what's going on in Iraq? You would think that to save their hides Election Day, they'd want to change course.

AXELROD: Because this president is known, if for nothing else, for his resolve, for — even though they're trying to stay away from the phrase — staying the course. So to make such a significant change in two weeks' time I think would open — introduce more problems than suggest answers.

You mean, a White House official admitted that the administration is making tactical decisions about the Iraq war based on domestic political calculations? You don't say.

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http://www.thecarpetbaggerreport.com/wp-print.php?p=8876

[greeneyedboy]

1. gee, and let's look at how well that's working for them. (answer: not at all.)

it's not even helping them in their lame effort to distinguish the "rubber stamp" congress from *'s innumerable failures, let alone making them popular.

[wakeme2008]

2. We will not attack Iran until after the election for the same

reason, Rove will not allow it.

[DoYouEverWonder]

3. A political operative

is making policy decisions that are costing American lives. More US Troops will die this month because Karl Rove is more concerned with winning the next election, then whether or not they live or die.

What part of outrageous do people not understand?

[Phillycat]

4. Seriously. The man has never been elected to anything.

How can the mothers and fathers of soldiers in harm's way stomach this kind of bullshit? God, I HATE this administration!

[samdogmom]

8. Well said!

To play with the lives of military personnel and innocent Iraqis is despicable! Why can't someone force all of these chickenhawk politicians to strap on some boots and join the front line?

[rodeodance]

5. people and troops blown to bits for this RESOLVE

[bluerum]

6. Yes. That was is pointed out from time to time and its disgusting.

How many lives should an election cost? I can just see Rove scheming, calculating, "well,,,, only 100 dead this month. The American public won't mind that." Bargaining the lives of others to shine his political patina. What a POS.

I bet he even has a way of calculating/polling how much it will take before the tides turn against the pukes. Maybe that is what he meant by having access to 60+ polls that we don't have access to. Polls that gauge voter sentiment on issues like this and relate it likely voting patterns.

Hmmm.

[no_hypocrisy]

7. So, some, if not many, of the nearly 3,000 soldiers died because

of one individual's pathological need not to lose?!!!

The Hague is too good for this corrupt POS. The Black of Hole of Calcutta, perhaps.

[tblue]

9. Great. Rove decides that Americans can languish and die for a few more weeks

until the election is sorted out. That is SO Republican. I am so tired of these frickin hillbillies, I don't know what to do.

[LSparkle]

11. I think Kerry pointed this out ...

More Americans will die between now and the election, just for possible POLITICAL gain for the Rethugs. Dems should be screaming about this to high heaven because it's JUST NOT RIGHT!!!

[leftofthedial]

10. that's disgusting

why is the nation not outraged?

there should be mobs with pitchforks in the streets