Bush, Cheney, Iraq & “So What”?
EmailABC’s Martha Raddatz has twice provoked a terse, some would say cavalier response from the White House to a question about the war in Iraq. Earlier this year she noted to Vice President Cheney that two-thirds of Americans had come to believe the war was not worth fighting. Cheney’s reply: "So?" Raddatz: "So you don’t care what the American people think?" Cheney: "I think we cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations of the public opinion polls. There has in fact been fundamental change and transformation and improvement for the better. That’s a huge accomplishment." Something similar — tonally, at least — emerged from Martha’s interview with President Bush in Iraq Sunday (Watch video here). BUSH: One of the major theaters against al Qaeda turns out to have been Iraq. This is where al Qaeda said they were going to take their stand. This is where al Qaeda was hoping to take – RADDATZ: But not until after the U.S. invaded. BUSH: Yeah, that’s right. So what? Well, you might say, wait a minute: "So what?" Wasn’t Al Qaeda’s connection to Iraq a significant element of the justification for war? In his 2003 state of the union address, just prior to the war, the President said Saddam Hussein aided and protected terrorists, "including members of Al Qaeda." And — tonally, again — is it appropriate for the President and Vice President to answer questions about war with a "So?" or "So what?"
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OF course it is not appropriate but it is completely in character particularly with Cheney. That haveing been said, I do feel that some progress has been made in that the reporter who threw the shoes still has his head. 10 years ago that would not been the case.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | December 17, 2008, 10:13 am 10:13 am
What would you expect? Those two slimy pieces of work made there money off the Iraq war. What do they care what Americans think?
Posted by: Independent Fighter | December 17, 2008, 10:17 am 10:17 am
I don’t care if they burn in hell or not. I want them to rot in prison NOW. Where’s Pelosi when the country needs her?! Is the Obama administration going to investigate and prosecute, or are we going to take the “its in the past” attitude that will only give future administrations the precedent allowing war crimes and malfeasance to continue to be how we operate our government?!
Posted by: hang | December 17, 2008, 10:41 am 10:41 am
IMPEACH THOSE BASTARDS!
Posted by: hang | December 17, 2008, 10:42 am 10:42 am
Hey, I for one love the nonchalant “So What” answers.
They underscore the silly questions the press ask based on assumed important factors such as the latest polls.
Everyone knows we expect our leaders to make decisions based on what’s right not what’s popular.
Look at the silly Size 10 Shoe Throwing Drama™.
I didn’t see any press people bring up the salient point of why was the guy so confused that he threw shoes at President Bush.
The USA didn’t kidnap and torture him.
The USA doesn’t plant roadside bombs.
The USA doesn’t send in suicide bombers into crowded market streets.
The USA is trying to help the Iraqis get their democracy going.
The USA is trying to instill some freedom in the area.
Maybe the reporter couldn’t find an AL Qaeda press conference to attend.
I’d love to hear an interview with the Shoe Thrower where an intelligent reporter asks him why he hates the USA.
Maybe the answer would be “I watch and listen to main stream news reporting from the States”.
Posted by: Noz | December 17, 2008, 10:46 am 10:46 am
Only a doofus president and his dark vice president who both never served in war and did everything they could to avoid service would give “So what” answers to grave questions involving the making of war. Remember war criminals always have moral blindness.
The answers of those tried at Nuremberg were always along the lines of “So what”.
Posted by: hopesprings52 | December 17, 2008, 11:05 am 11:05 am
sorry hit send too soon.
Noz – at the risk of being accused of being a Bush/Cheney reporter. I agree with your post. What IS great is that the guy who threw the shoes has kept his head. That would not have happened with Saddam Hussain in control. Who does this guy have to thank for his freedom to express his dislike of Bush. Yep George and Dickk. Kinf of ironic isn’t it.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | December 17, 2008, 11:14 am 11:14 am
It sure is ironic Jenny.
Under Saddam he could easily have been fed into an industrial meat grinder alive.
Maybe the Shoe Thrower’s mom never taught him how to be grateful.
Posted by: Noz | December 17, 2008, 11:32 am 11:32 am
LOL! Grateful? For forcing our views upon them? Forcing our way of government upon them? Our way isn’t always the best way. Obviously, they feel they will be just fine without our intervention. Let them be. No wonder the rest of the world is growing tired of us.
Posted by: Independent Fighter | December 17, 2008, 12:20 pm 12:20 pm
Maybe grateful is not the word, but you do have to admit that the reporter being able to express his displeasure with the government/Bush and still be
alive is a step foreward. Of course those so would water, sewer, electricity, and employment. But it is a step. Sometime you have to look for the silver lining.
Posted by: Jenny Rome Ga | December 17, 2008, 12:47 pm 12:47 pm
Cheney, Bush, Rove and many “others” from the outgoing Administration need to be charged and tried.
We have a Constitution. We have a Bill of Rights. They are not to be ignored or by-passed.
Our nation must not be hijacked by such total lawlessness ever again by our “leaders”.
To ensure that we are not, charges, trials and stiff convictions and sentences for the traitors.
Posted by: Peter Bright | December 17, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
Considering the reporter and the leftist coverage by the network, I would have said the same things. they would edit and present to ABC liking not always the truth. But then most of you writing here care nothing of the whole truth anyway.
Posted by: s63m | December 17, 2008, 1:04 pm 1:04 pm
All those commenting have fair points. But they neglect to consider that: we entered this war for erroneous reasons; there have been disparit responses from Rove, Cheney, Bush etc regarding the course of action they MIGHT have taken had the intelligence been correct; that there is ample evidence that the war was preordained; the war itself was prepared for and executed in a totally inept manner; that the Iraqi infrastructure is WORSE now than when we started; that we have spent almost a TRILLION dollars on an effort that while idealogically admirable on some levels, if far less important than issues at home such as education, infrastructure, jobs, environment. Impeachment and jail are too good for them. If there is a god – their god – they will all rot in hell.
Posted by: Bernie Kampf - IL | December 17, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
Scroll back, back, back. Now, where is the question mark in Martha Raddatz’s statement? It was a statement during a question and answer session. Cheney was saying, “So (what is your question)?”
Typical of the press to miss the obvious is it not? Like the shoe thrower… not only is he alive to brag about it, but Freedom of the Press allowed him and his dissenting opinion to be present in the room.
THAT is what the USA brought to Iraq and YES, Noz, our way _IS_ USUALLY the best way!
Freedom of expression, of press, and so? What is your problem with that?
Posted by: mad-in-USA | December 17, 2008, 1:13 pm 1:13 pm
Hey Noz, you say you don’t understand why the shoe-throwing journalist is upset at the US after all the good things it has done for Iraq. Did you forget the 100,000+ Iraqi deaths that are a direct consequence of the US-led invasion? I suspect that you might be a touch peeved too if you were in (or out) of his shoes.
Posted by: lhommedepaco | December 17, 2008, 1:21 pm 1:21 pm
It shows how smart this administration has been and the respect they show for the American people that still have COMMON SENSE. With those answers it sounds like some teenage person’s respond to a HARD question. I’m so glad we are going to have a President and a V.P. that are smarter then this people.
Posted by: gjhardtimes | December 17, 2008, 1:22 pm 1:22 pm
What Sadaam Hussien did or was doing was not our business. The area was STABLE. A lot of countries, including the US, do all kinds of horrible, immoral, and illegal acts against its citizens. Look at all the people that Russia, China and Korea have murdered within there borders. We could have lived with it. There were few al-Queada in Iraq before we were, now they are over run with them.
If we really wanted to attack because of the WMD’s, why didn’t we do it the first time around when we HAD proof that they were there?
It has always been and always will be Bush and Cheney’s attitude that they can do as the please. The American people did NOT support the $700 Billion Bailout. And look where the $335 billion spent has helped only the banks and bankers get richer while the rest of the economy goes to hell because they aren’t lending it to anyone except eah other. Thanks Mr. Bush!!
Posted by: Fred | December 17, 2008, 1:29 pm 1:29 pm
This is the kind of in depth thinking we have come to expect from this Administration, shallowness, sloganeering, intransigence and ignorance. Thank God there are only 34 days left.
The war was justified by three faulty premises – 1) Weapons of Mass Destruction , but when non were found, it became
2) Harboring Terrorists , but none were there before, the ones we were after were in Afghanistan and Pakistan, but then it became
3) Bringing Democracy to Iraq. That might actually still happen, but no thanks to these lunkheads, who instead of conscripting the Baathist party members, the Shiites and the Kurds to follow our occupying forces orders, we fired everyone. No wonder without jobs, they rose up and took up arms and Al Qaeda was able to move in to the vacuum.
With the corruption of the private contractors the US brought in to fleece the US Treasury while pretending to reconstruct Iraq, we guaranteed the venture would fail.
It is the Iraqis who should be trying Bush and Cheyney for war crimes, but at this point, let’s just clean out the White House and put this train (the U.S. and its economy) back on the track.
Posted by: RivieraRob | December 17, 2008, 1:40 pm 1:40 pm
So or So What, tell that to the families of those that have lost their lives. So or So What definately are not the words to use. Arrogance grows from within and power corrupts, we went in under a false pretense, bllod has been shed, lives lost, billions spendt, arms, legs and eyes missing and the best answer is So or So What, that’s sad really sad
Posted by: G-MR. DO GOOD | December 17, 2008, 1:50 pm 1:50 pm
Let Bush and Cheney finish the sentence. Give them time, please.
Posted by: al | December 17, 2008, 2:00 pm 2:00 pm
If it’s so much better than perhaps Mr. Cheney would like to vacation there with his wife and grandkids. Anyone who would support these clowns after all we’ve seen are head cases who refuse to admit that they were wrong.. like Cheney and Bush. This statement comes from someone who now believes in waterboarding.. and they can start with these two! We could sell tickets and balance the budget.
Posted by: Ronald | December 17, 2008, 2:11 pm 2:11 pm
“So What?” to the dead, “So What?” to the money spent on a war which has made the world more unstable.
What do you expect from War Criminals?
Thanks to Pelosi, Democrats have basically said: Go ahead, do what you want to do, say what you want to say, “IMPEACHMENT IS OFF THE TABLE.”
Impeach Pelosi along with Bush and Cheney.
Posted by: Marta | December 17, 2008, 4:00 pm 4:00 pm
I can’t believe these two can be so cavalier in this terrible mistake. Over four thousand have given their lives for this fiasco. There was no sectarian violence before the war. no insurgency. Jus a failed policty they will never apologise for. They would have a very different attitude if their daughters were serving.
Posted by: ronald bose | December 17, 2008, 6:05 pm 6:05 pm
THis is another INSULT to Americans!!
They have treated us like we were suckas from the very beginning.They are not Patriotic nor did they serve their Country!
How stupid can we be, if we allow these insidious criminals to go into the sunset after they have stolen and corrupted the American Dream from ALL OF US!? We are no better then the germans who let hitler drive them down the road to EVIL. We are really disgusted with this bunch..I pray they are tried for TREASON and JAILED for the remainder of their evil,worthless lives.
ALL of them: Cheney and his sick wife,Bush, Rumsfeld, Condoleeza, Addington,Bremer, and, the entire Carlisle group, Haliburton and BlackWater groups should be held accountable for their war crimes.
Hard working God fearing Americans must DEMAND it!If only for the Lives of our beloved Troops, that were sent into harms way on a whim.
BLOOD is on Their Hands.
Posted by: EnigmaNetx | December 17, 2008, 6:26 pm 6:26 pm
I am a teacher. (Yes, I guess I’m one of those folks who corrupt the youth of America.) Besides excellent leadership, with concern for ALL U.S. citizens, I expect the leaders of this country to provide an example to all of us. Yes, I am well aware that the last eight years have provided NONE of what I expect.
That said, I do not allow the children I teach to answer questions with “So?” or “So what?” Why would I want anyone in a leadership role to answer any question that way? The only question I can think of that might be answered that way was one posed to former President Bush concerning is attitude toward broccoli. He tried to be gracious while expressing his feelings. He could have said, “I don’t like it; so what?” and I wouldn’t be irritated with him. He didn’t say that, as I recall. Too bad he didn’t teach his son to be gracious.
Posted by: Cynthia Buehling | December 17, 2008, 8:56 pm 8:56 pm
You know…I’ve read all these posts and have had some things I wanted to interject with…BUT. This is the kind of stuff that intellectuals who are not given to immerse themselves PHYSICALLY into the throes of battle…say to justify their lack of grace. I wanted to add heat to this fire, but in the long run the sycophantic and attitudinal rantings of us all would knot my stomach up into convulsing. Basically, we – the “Leaders of the Free World” (Because poorer nations are living on the myth that our streets are paved with gold – which means that we are rich and obviously wiser and more astute) are ordained to pass judgment on what lifestyles, theologies, beliefs, practices and idioms ARE or ARE NOT acceptable forms of those features – FOR EVERY GOVERNMENT! This, in and of itself is preposterous, but it IS in fact, the premise that we go on throughout the world. Big Brother of ALL Big Brother’s. How in the hell are we able to maintain allies that are not allies of convenience because of fear? On top of that, how are we able to stop a “Bully President and Vice-Prez from inflicting their beliefs and resultant consequences on the world-at-large with practices outside the realm of their individual preferences? According to our behavior over the last eight years…there is nothing that the people can do about this. Impeachment is too little, too late. Bush/Cheney don’t give a crap about your beliefs, and ignore consequences entirely – so the justice system can do nothing to vindicate the citizen against either of them. We waited too long, and will be glad when they’re gone! They were Prez and Veep…”So what?”
Jazz
Posted by: Glynn | December 17, 2008, 9:27 pm 9:27 pm
Yes, of course it is appropriate. What do you expect them to say to a reporter who makes a stupid statement rather than asks a question. You Bush/Cheny haters haven’t got enough sense to know that they saved your sorry asses from another terrorist attack. That will not be the case in the ensuing four years. They were afraid of Bush and Cheny. They are not afraid of the new guy.
Posted by: Ben | December 17, 2008, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
The Bush family have long been in business encounters with the Saudi Arabians, One Saudi family in particular the Bin Laden family which have been documented since 1976 more than 20 years… According to the Bush interview, With a straight face he had no awarness of the significance of the middle eastern culture regarding the sole of a shoe, which was considered the worst insult of the Arab culture… People, this president knew that… And not once mentioned the Bin laden name… Point is ROGER MOORE’s Fahrenheit 911 had documented the Bin Laden/Bush association and was called a fraud… Watching & listening to Bush reminds me of arguing with someone who only wants to confuse the issues & the sequence of events, Just like the “Conservative talk host” “Tokyo Rush”…
Posted by: Hiroader | December 17, 2008, 11:26 pm 11:26 pm
I didn’t state what my election choice was. If you can recall in our history as little as a month-and-a-half ago…BOTH Republicans and Democrats are voting Bush/Cheney out!! Now, if you didn’t join the rest of the country in ousting these CROOKS – that’s your problem, not mine. Now – as the issue of saving us from a terrorist attack…tell me, oh Sage…where the hell did these despotic terrorists come from, and why? I mean, the previous eight years of relative breakthroughs in international peace did not have indicators of an “endemic” attack on American soil. It was Bush/Cheney that brought those elements to play…and it was signaled by his choice of criminals in his cabinets. This has been the most corrupt two administrations of our history. There is no doubt that he and Benedict Arnold will go down in history as butt buddies. Questions: What was the significance of the Saudi guests being rushed out of the country during 911? Why the delay in action? The same delay – even longer during Katrina. Shouldn’t that have been the time for him to showcase HIS FEMA skills? And you, Ben, label us Bush/Cheney haters…why??
Jazz
Posted by: Glynn | December 18, 2008, 12:05 am 12:05 am
It seems very direspectful and dishonest to try and make the president and VP look flippant by taking words out of context. This is a reporter for a major news organization not a blogger.
The VP was not asked a question, so his rresponse was trying to get the reporter to ask a question.
The Presidents response was in reaction to the reporter interupting his answer to another question and she was missing the point he was making. his quote was cut short by this reporter to make him look bad. Look it up in the full interview. He said “yes your right. So what. The point is…
Please do not take this stuff at face value. ABC News makes money by stirring up contoversy even when there is none.
Keeping it Honest.
Posted by: Readers beware | December 18, 2008, 7:14 am 7:14 am
“Blah blah blah . . . .
If you can recall in our history as little as a month-and-a-half ago…BOTH Republicans and Democrats are voting Bush/Cheney out!!
Blahddity blah blah . . . . .
Questions: What was the significance of the Saudi guests being rushed out of the country during 911? Why the delay in action? The same delay – even longer during Katrina. Shouldn’t that have been the time for him to showcase HIS FEMA skills?
Blahdie Blah Blaaaaah . . . . . .
And you, Ben, label us Bush/Cheney haters…why??” – Glynn
TOOT TOOT!
Fog warning!
Hey Glynn, you seem like a nice person but you need to clear the fog that’s hampering your thought process.
Nobody voted Bush/Cheney out, they were not running for re-election.
I don’t know what the Saudi thing is about but regarding Katrina, the overwhelming responsibility for that mess lies with the Mayor of New Orleans and the then governor of Louisiana.
When you are so wrong in what you regurgitate out it is no wonder some folks call you a Bush/Cheney hater.
Posted by: Noz | December 18, 2008, 9:23 am 9:23 am
I agree with ‘Readers beware’. I’m not a Bush/Cheney lover or hater. I think they are both good (if somewhat arrogant) men who made decisions based on the info they had on what they thought was the best COA. No question that 20/20 hindsight is usually better. Of course with our new “Community Organizer” in office shortly, we will always heve the right answer all the time. The ‘shoe incident’ was an insult to the ‘Office of President of the USA’ not to Geo Bush and disrespectful of the lives lost in trying to bring freedom to an oppressed country. Sure there were mistakes made in the process, but again we are using 20/20 hindsight again.
Posted by: JRob | December 19, 2008, 9:00 am 9:00 am
Obama is power crazy. His way is going to be even if it is the wrong way. Afghanistan will be his Iraq and Iraq will take Afghanistans place training terrorists. They are all one big familly and it will not change anytime soon.
Posted by: Harold | February 27, 2009, 6:58 pm 6:58 pm