Speaking Facts to GOP Talking Points

The below entry was posted at the Bush/Cheney 2004 Campaign Site:

GOP Official Campaign Blog

OCTOBER 5, 2004

Cheney Wins

Vice President Cheney won tonight because he countered rhetoric with the facts. Here are some quotes that will be remembered from this debate:
“So they, in effect, decided they would cast an anti-war vote, and they voted against the troops. Now, if they couldn't stand up to the pressures that Howard Dean represented, how can we expect them to standup to Al Qaeda?” -- Vice President Dick Cheney

“Senator, frankly, you have a record in the Senate that's not very distinguished. You missed 33 out of 36 meetings in the Judiciary Committee. Almost 70% of the meetings of the Intelligence Committee. You've missed a lot of key votes on tax policy, on energy, on Medicare reform. Your hometown newspaper has taken to calling you Senator Gone. You've got one of the worst attendance records in the United States Senate. Now, in my capacity as Vice President I am the President of the Senate, the presiding officer. I'm up in the Senate most Tuesdays when they're in session. The first time I ever met you was when you walked on the stage tonight.” -- Vice President Dick Cheney

Posted by GeorgeWBush.com at 11:29 PM


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The Facts

Fact #1: Both Kerry and Edwards voted to give the president the ability to use the military against Iraq with the agreement that the president would develop a coalition. The resolution specifically said, "The President is authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines to be necessary and appropriate." Edwards made it clear at the time of his vote that he hoped to avoid war by enlisting broad support from the United Nations and US allies:

Edwards( Oct. 10, 2002 ): I believe we should act now for two reasons: first, bipartisan congressional action on a strong, unambiguous resolution, like the one before us now, will strengthen America's hand as we seek support from the Security Council and seek to enlist the cooperation of our allies.If the administration continues its strong, if belated, diplomacy, backed by the bipartisan resolve of the Congress, I believe the United States will succeed in rallying many allies to our side. Second, strong domestic support and a broad international coalition will make it less likely that force would need to be used.

The president failed to put together that coalition, leaving American soldiers vulnerable in Iraq. This administration took the focus off of Al Qaeda, Afganistan and the War on Terror by attacking Iraq, which was proven by the 911 commission to not have any involvement in the attacks of 911. The Administration furtheer failed the troops by not supplying them with adequate equipment (ie Flack Jackets,Body Armor, Armored Humvees etc.)

Fact #2: Several journalist have documented at least two instances in which Cheney had met Edwards previously. Edwards escorted Elizabeth Dole when she was sworn in as North Carolina's other senator on January 8, 2003, according to Gannet News Service. Cheney administered the oath.

Cheney also was present with Edwards at a National Prayer Breakfast on Feb. 1, 2001, when a transcript shows Cheney acknowledged Edwards among those at the gathering:

Cheney: (Feb. 1, 2001): Thank you. Thank you very much. Congressman Watts, Senator Edwards, friends from across America and distinguished visitors to our country from all over the world, Lynne and I are honored to be with you all this morning.

Leave it to the GOP to claim a victory on false statements. ~Eximius