if (preg_match('/]+)?>/', '') { echo '' } else { echo 'Remember the unity that swept over this country in the wake of the 9/11 attacks? Remember that stirring video of every member of Congress, on the Capitol steps that night, Democrat and Republican, side by side, singing
"God Bless America?"'; }
Karl Rove doesn't.
Speaking to the New York State Conservative Party, President Bush's top advisor claimed liberals tried to obstruct a quick response to the terror attacks.
In his rewrite of history, Mr Rove sought to erase the record of bipartisanship that existed in Washington in the wake of the 9/11 attacks and paint a picture of a divided Washington while the nation was under attack:
"Liberals saw the savagery of the 9/11 attacks and wanted to prepare indictments and offer therapy and understanding for our attackers. Conservatives saw the savagery of 9/11 and the attacks and prepared for war . . . Conservatives saw what happened to us on 9/11 and said we will defeat our enemies. Liberals saw what happened to us and said we must understand our enemies."
Democrats demand an apology. The White House refuses to apologize.
Rove Rewrites History
But historians should demand an apology as well. The record clearly shows a different picture from the one Mr Rove tried to paint. Just look at roll call votes on anti-terror measures in the aftermath of 9/11.
- Senate Joint Resolution 22 stated in part: "[Congress] supports the determination of the President, in close consultation with Congress, to bring to justice and punish the perpetrators of these attacks as well as their sponsors..." — Passed 100-0 on September 12, 2001
- House Joint Resolution 61 — the House Version of SJ Resolution 22 — Passed 408-0 on September 13
- House Joint Resolution 64 — "To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States." Passed the House 420-1 on September 14, 2001
- Senate Joint Resolution 23 (the Senate version of HJR 64) — "To authorize the use of United States Armed Forces against those responsible for the recent attacks launched against the United States." It was sponsored in the Senate by noted liberal Sen Tom Daschle. And Passed the Senate 98-0. The two Senators who didn't vote were both Republican
- Senate Bill 1426 committed $40 billion to the War on Terror — Passed 96-0 on September 14. Four Senators failed to vote, three of them Republicans, one a Republican turned Independent
- The Patriot Act — Passed the Senate 98-1. Passed the House 357-66
All pretty lopsided votes taking aggressive stands against the people who attacked America on 9/11. Not exactly the division that Mr Rove remembers.
Article comments
1 - Nancy
It couldn't happen to a nicer administration. I'll enjoy watching Bush crash & burn.
2 - Scott
I'm looking forward to 2006 when the Dems sweep in and take both houses of congress. That's gonna be fun.
3 - Silas Kain
Unfortunately, Scott, that won't happen. Democrats may make inroads but we're destined for another two years of Republican gridlock. The next session of Congress will be more about shaping the Presidential election of 2008 than it will be about legislation and representing the people. I'm back to supporting the Congressional Conclave. Lock them all up inside the rotunda with bread and water.
4 - Scott
Never say never, Silas.
5 - El Bicho
Of course it's spin.
Rove is out trying to distract people, hoping they don't realize that The Bush administration is short $1 billion for covering current needs at the Department of Veterans Affairs this year, so they wave the red meat of 9/11 and people on the right just start foaming at the mouth.
That's all the administration does because it's all they need to do. Look at all the uproar about the non-issue of the flag-burning amendment. It's all B.S., but they prey on people's patriotism and love of the flag.
Of course, everyone who is so gung ho about saving the flag seems unaware that the propsal was pushed in the House by Duke Cunningham from Escondido, CA who is involved in a potential scandal regarding the sale of his house to a defense contractor, who bought the house for an inflated price and then months later sold it at a loss.
The way the real estate market is in Southern California it would have been impossible to lose money on house, unless it was done on purpose or the house was damaged by a natural disaster.
Hmmm, would a Republican literally wrap himself in the flag to distract from his wrong-doings?