Just Shut Up and Take It

Never before have I seen a politician stoop so low as to repeat the talking points of a newspaper. But that's exactly what's happened. Dan Froomkin of the Washington Post wrote a column on Monday calling Bush and Cheney's last few speeches about the war in Iraq Bush's "Third Campaign." He then continued this rant today (this argument deconstructed by Powerline) highlighting a variety of other "news" outlets that picked up the same "campaign" catchphrase.

Enter Harry Reid, who jovially leaps on the bandwagon:

"Instead of giving our troops a plan for success or answering the serious questions of the American people, they've decided to start up the [Karl] Rove/Cheney attack machine in an effort to restore their diminishing credibility and raise their sinking poll numbers," Reid said. "We need a commander in chief, not a campaigner in chief. We need leadership from the White House, not more white-washing of the very serious issues confronting us in Iraq."

Reid considers it "whitewashing" when Bush decides to confront the lies of the left. Right. (and I like it how FoxNews feels it necessary to add [Karl] in front of "Rove." As if we don't all know the mastermind behind the Bush administration...)

Anyway, I wonder if Harry Reid realizes how dumb he sounds. How is it "campaigning" when after months of attacks Bush and Cheney decide to set the record straight? I expect no less - especially considering the heat Bush takes in the media. Talk about damned of you do, damned of you don't. I guess the Democrats think that Bush should not call to attention the lies of congressional Democrats and the Clinton administration. Too bad for them...