Six People, One Voice
Reported by Melanie - September 25, 2004 -
Friday (September 24, 2004) on Your World w/Neil Cavuto, Cavuto hosted a round table discussion with five guests. The stated topic was what it will mean to stock portfolios if the UN "stiffs" Allawi and "this guy gets squat."
Tobin Smith began the discussion saying most people know the UN isn't going to help but that we'll succeed without it. Gary B. Smith said that when Allawi talks about finding mass graves and other atrocities in Iraq it strengthens Bush's case for having gone in, which strengthens the markets. It shows Bush was right all along, and "it takes away one of Kerry's big cards." Clay Peterson said it takes away from Kerry's stance on the UN, puts Bush in a better position since he has Allawi along side, the countries who are with us will continue to help, and we can say "shame on you world" to the rest.
Cavuto asked if the 30+ countries who are helping now will "be it" and if that mattered. Fox reporter Degan McDowell said we probably won't get more help but that's factored in because the market's accustomed to "indifference, idleness and arrogance from the UN."
Cavuto wondered whether the markets were concerned about the cost in tax dollars and McDowell said that too is factored in as is violence leading up to the January elections, but the election must go on as scheduled.
Wendell Perkins said the most important message out of Allawi's visit is "really the support for President Bush" because the equity markets are "so focused" on Bush being reelected. Summarizing, Cavuto said, "So, anything that makes him [Bush] look good makes the markets look good?" Everyone agreed.
Gary B. Smith said that this is not another Vietnam, it "paints us as having gone in for humanitarian efforts" which helps Bush and the US.
Cavuto wondered if Iraq and the UN would be a devisive issue in the election and Clay Peterson said Kerry is trying to make it so, and he "was trying to use a ploy" by saying he'd invite other nations back into the discussion. Cavuto wondered if other nations would be more receptive to Kerry than Bush which drew a resounding "no." Degan McDowell said if Kerry were elected and tried to "appease" other nations "it would be a joke. It would be laughable." Cavuto asked if everyone thought the markets would see it as a joke and they all said they did. Tobin Smith said "Kerry's naivete is not going to carry the day," that Bush took a stand, did what he needed to do and made the right decision.
Cavuto asked whether "this quagmire as Senator Kerry says doesn't register with the markets?" Everyone said no, it doesn't register.
COMMENT: Fair and balanced? Six people, one message - Go Bush!
