Bush takes blame for poll rout

[buckthesystem]

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...5005961,00.html

US President George W. Bush took responsibility for a "thumping" by Democrats in congressional elections, and admitted the drubbing reflected frustration over a "lack of progress" in Iraq.

"I know there's a lot of speculation on what the election means for the battle we're waging in Iraq," Mr Bush said at a White House news conference, as his Republican party digested its defeat by Democrats.

"I recognise that many Americans voted last night to register their displeasure with the lack of progress being made there," he said.

As his announcement that US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld had resigned sent shockwaves through Washington, Bush made clear that another linchpin of his administration, Vice President Dick Cheney, would stay on until the end of his term in January 2009.

"I'm obviously disappointed with the outcome of the election," Bush told reporters at a White House news conference.

"As the head of the Republican Party, I share a large part of the responsibility," Bush said.

"You look at it race by race, it was close. The cumulative effect, however, was not too close. It was a thumping."

"I told my party's leaders that it is now our duty to put elections behind us and work together with the Democrats and independents on the great issues facing this country."

(continues - link)

[Marnie]

President George W. Bush took responsibility for a "thumping" by Democrats in congressional elections, and admitted the drubbing reflected frustration over a "lack of progress" in Iraq.

Part of that is true. I disagree with the "lack of progress" statement. As has been said on other threads, the next two years will give the Dems a chance to prove that they truly have nothing to offer. I hope the GOP has learned from this whoppin' and will come back in '08, loyal to their base and core values.

[JustinM]

Yeah, it's probably pretty healthy for a democracy to uproot its incumbents periodically. You can't teach an old dog new tricks, maybe in 08 there will be new bright red blood to choose from. Who knows who will crawl out of the woodwork, Senator Clinton is a lightning rod of polarization, so I am sure she will inadvertently draw lots of opposition if she runs for President in 08.

[JustinM]

The democrats will prove to the country that they have absolutely no solutions to our problems. We will see the perpetual circular dialogue they are so eager to engage in with our enemies and accomplish absolutely nothing positive for the American people.

[JustinM]

Bolton will be gone and some anti-semitic appeaser will take his place and seek to "restore" good relations with the UN and our European allies. Because, we all know it was our fault that the UN is corrupt and participated in the largest scam the world has ever seen.