The terrorists aren’t attacking one political party. They are attacking all of us. Politicians can, and should, debate our strategy against terrorists and the course of the war in Iraq. But questioning each other’s patriotism or resolve against terrorists should be out of bounds. It is unnecessary and divisive. And it is, quite simply, a diversionary tactic. Members of both parties have repeatedly shown by their votes strong support for the war against terror.Well, isn't Fayetteville, North Carolina, a pretty big town?
But even as British police were arresting some of the terror plot suspects, Vice President Dick Cheney was sounding off on Democratic Sen. Joe Lieberman’s primary defeat by a businessman who successfully made opposition to the Iraq war the centerpiece of his campaign. It shows “the direction the party appears to be heading,” Cheney said. “What is particularly disturbing about it is from the standpoint of our adversaries. ... They are betting on the proposition that ultimately they can break the will of the American people in our ability to stay in the fight and complete the task.” Voting against Lieberman, he said, is encouraging “the al Qaida types.”
[...]
Thomas Kean, the Republican who chaired the nation’s 9/11 commission, offered this thought on Thursday: “It shouldn’t be a political issue. It should be something that everybody supports.”
It should. And we believe that most politicians do. Let’s get on with strengthening our defenses and stopping the terrorists. The voters know the difference between our Iraq war problems and the overall effort against terror. Politicians would be wise to remember that.
(HT to AMERICAblog.)
