Terror, Terror Everywhere
Reported by Eleanor - September 13, 2004 -
Special Report with Brit Hume (Sept. 13, 6:00 p.m.) included four reports about terrorism, including Iraq and a panel discussion on Kerry's Iraq policy.
Steve Centanni stated that U.S. forces are bottling up local insurgents in Iraq and training Iraqi forces. Colin Powell said we are retaking terrorist strongholds. Powell also said that we "anticipated" this would happen before the election in January. We are training Iraqi troops and will strike when necessary.
Greg Palpot covered the Iran story of the enrichment of uranium with the possibility of sanctions if they don't back off and begin to cooperate. North Korea is ready to test nuclear weapons, and South Korea is a headache with their experimental program.
Russia was added to this terror soup with a statement that Putin is seeking new political powers with plans for sweeping changes in the political structure, saying that no results have been achieved in the fight against terror. Government leaders should be chosen by the president, and the Duma from party lists. Critics say this is an attempt to use the terror attacks to increase power. Control of TV networks was noted.
The Kerry policy discussion toward Iraq began with a video clip of Richard Holbrooke on Fox News Sunday talking about sitting down with reluctant allies and the U.N., and working out a way to reduce our ownership of the mess; he doesn't think the election will take place; and we need to look at different political arrangements that will give more autonomy to the regions of Iraq.
Fred Barnes: This wasn't specific. He didn't answer the question. Mort Kondracke: What is the objective - win - prevail - stabilize the government - get out as fast as we can. Hume: The exit strategy is victory. Kondracke: Six months - one year - four years. Mara Liasson: There was a time when John Kerry was clearer in arguing about how Bush handled Iraq. Now it's different....a mess since then. Help from allies and money with a different structure. Iraq is different now. Kerry can do no more than Bush can do right now. Barnes: What would he do? He called the NY Times on North Korea. Hume: He talked to a reporter and didn't answer what he would do. Kondracke: He wants direct negotiations with North Korea. He always favored mutual bilateral negotiations that Bush is doing now.
Comment: These reports are a continuation of the theme established the morning after the anniversary of 9/11 to focus on terror all over the world. It fits nicely with the Bush campaign focus on the "strength" of Bush as a leader on the war on terror. In spite of the killings and bombings in Iraq, with a takeover by the insurgents and attacks on the Green Zone, Powell presented that mess as something we "anticipated," before the elections - leaving the impression that the problem will solve itself after the Iraqi election. In spite of the chaos, no one is backing down from an election in January, when if the explosions continue, they'll be unable to leave their homes, much less show up at the polls.
This daily dose of terror, terror everywhere will no doubt continue and intensify over the next 50 days, while our fearless leader protects us, even from the campaign trail.
