Reid calls on Rove to Retract Remarks

[newsguyatl]

For Immediate Release

Date: Thursday, June 23, 2005



CONTACT: Jim Manley or Rebecca Kirszner, 202-224-2939



REID CALLS ON BUSH TO REPUDIATE ROVE’S REMARKS



Democratic Leader Harry Reid released the following statement:



“I am deeply disturbed and disappointed that the Bush White House would continue to use the national tragedy of September 11th to try and divide the country. The lesson our country learned on that terrible morning is that we are strongest when we unite together, that America’s power is in its common spirit of democracy and freedom.



“Karl Rove should immediately and fully apologize for his remarks or he should resign. The lesson of September 11th is not different for conservatives, liberals or moderates. It is equally shared and was repeatedly demonstrated in the weeks and months following this tragedy as Americans of all backgrounds and their elected representatives rallied behind the victims and their families, united in our common determination to bring to justice those responsible for these terrible attacks.



“It is time to stop using September 11th as a political wedge issue. Dividing our country for political gain is an insult to all Americans and to the common memory we all carry with us from that day. When it comes to standing up to terrorists, there are no Republicans or Democrats, only Americans. The Administration should be focused on uniting Americans behind our troops and providing them a strategy for success in the war on terror and the conflict in Iraq. I hope the president will join me in repudiating these remarks and urge Mr. Rove to take appropriate action to right this terrible wrong.”



###

[newsguyatl]

1. schumer holding a presser at 1:15

[CarolNYC]

13. this is very good too.... n/t

[ibegurpard]

2. Okay, people

I've seen a number of high-profile Democrats commenting on these statements. It's quite obvious that the media won't be making an issue out of this so it's up to us to push it for them.

[bullimiami]

3. rove lied anyway

the truth which should have come from roves mouth was

"most saw it as a tragedy but we at bushco saw it as an opportunity"

[aden_nak]

5. Pffft. The Bush Admin saw it as "Step 3". And right on schedule.

[Cha]

8. Exactamundo!

The USA is under a murderous dictator regime and the sooner she as a whole wakes up to that fact the sooner we can storm the bastille.

[GreenPartyVoter]

10. Love that bumpersticker *lol*

[aden_nak]

14. I need to write them and encourage them to run together.

I could sell a billion of these bloody things!

[CantGetFooledAgain]

26. That's right. Not an opportunity...

...but part of the master plan that had been in the works for years, just waiting for the right team to take over the White House.

[Connie_Corleone]

4. Let's see if the MSM will run with this story for days...

I won't hold my breath.

[Cha]

6. Brilliant Reid!

You sure know how to lay down when it comes to what really happened after 9/11!

[FrannyD]

7. Apology

I'm sure Karl is working on an apology as I write this. Not!

[Cha]

9. No, karl won't apologize but

the words that his filthy mouth spewed will be out there and Reid's brilliant demand for an apology should be out there, too.

[enough already]

32. That's the difference between them and us

We cave and apologize and cry in public and generally look like wimps. They will no doubt stick to their guns, tell the media and us to fuck off, and continue the exact same line of attack.

[GreenPartyVoter]

11. Go, Reid, Go! Has this hit the blogosphere? we have to keep hammering

this home.

[CarolNYC]

12. Oh, this is perfect....

It's about time we started doing this...

[Coexist]

15. here's how you do it!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=3898866

[Patchuli]

17. Wil do and thanks!

Give 'em HELL Harry!! Love that man!! 'bout time we had a Dem up there with BIGUNS!

[Catrina]

18. Thank you

I am glad to see that Chuck Schumer is holding a press conference about this. He is my Senator ~ as is Hillary Clinton. I think everyone should blast their Representatives with emails demanding an apology.

Also, Randi, Al Franken et al, need to start screaming about this. The people who lost loved ones on that day, many of them Democrats, understand all too well, the implications of that day, and will, never, never forget!! How dare he suggest otherwise.

As a NYer I know at least two people who lost loved ones, and I know for a fact, that this diatribe from Karl Rove will only add to the pain they have to endure.

There simply aren't words to describe the anger I feel at this weasel's use of that tragedy, and his attack on American citizens, to try to save his own worthless, political skin.

[Coexist]

25. I'm sorry for your loss - Harry'll give 'em hell for you!

[second edition]

16. Glad to see we are called out Rove for his statements.

Rove's comments were just inflammatory and completely outrageous. How dare he again mislead people,lie and paint a picture of nativity pertaining to Dems. We all understand the implications of 9-11! The dems however, know who is actually responsible for 9/11 and who we should be searching for.This is just more smoke screen blather to cover up this bad war and the real reasons we are over there.

[elperromagico]

19. Oh, Republicans don't apologize for or retract anything.

They simply get "misquoted" or "taken out of context." :eyes:

[ClassWarrior]

20. Give 'em hell, Harry!! Recommended.

NGU.

[EFerrari]

21. How much are we paying Karl Rove to steal our democracy?

He's a Federal Employee, isn't he?

Is there a way to find out what he's paid?

[Beaverhausen]

22. Just what is his job anyway? Besides being *'s brain

I HOPE we aren't paying his salary. Are we?

[EFerrari]

27. Found it.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9308-2005Feb8.html

Rove Is Promoted To Deputy Staff Chief
Job Covers a Broad Swath of Policy

By Peter Baker
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, February 9, 2005; Page A21

During President Bush's first term, outsiders often suspected that Karl Rove was really behind virtually everything. Now it's official.

Rove, the political mastermind behind two presidential elections, yesterday was named White House deputy chief of staff in charge of coordinating domestic policy, economic policy, national security and homeland security.

* * *

From WaPo chatroom, last November 8:

Washington, D.C.: This may be a dumb question but who pays Karl Rove's salary, the Republican Party or me? Because if I'm paying, he's not doing a whole lot for me.

Mike Allen: Mr. Rove is a White House official. As of June, he was one of 17 officials making the top salary of $157,000.

[mzmolly]

23. Way to play the game Harry. Fight fire with fire!

:toast:

[vickie]

24. I am so glad Reid is our leader. He never apologized for

calling Simian George a liar. He knows how to play this game.

[confludemocrat]

28. I wish Reid would make reference to this being Bush's own thinking

How could it not be? We all know that. Who will make Bush answer for this? Bush is the issue. he must be counter-attacked along with Rove. Just as Bush should have been attacked by Durbin when he brought up the Gitmo Nazi, gulag, behavior. Stop beating around the Bush. Go after him. He is "on the ropes" as Pelosi said. Who's got the right instincts here?

[Ron Mexico]

29. Better to hammer the point rather than demand a useless apology

that would mean nothing to anyone anyway. Wage war instead of demanding insincere words of "unity."

Like it or not, when it comes to 9/11 this "there are no Repugs or Dems, only Americans" is bullshit anyway. It wasn't us that demanded war on countries with no verifiable link to the attacks.

There ARE two sides, and we're very fucking lucky there are. Reid needs to stop demanding useless and transparent apologies and to stop pretending that there's any unity. Maybe the elections will work out better for us if we do a better job of pointing out that there are distinct differences. Our side, for instance, has no desire to send your kid out to die.

[quaoar]

30. The WH defends Rove

Naturally....

From AP article:

The White House defended Rove's remarks and accused Democrats of engaging in partisan attacks. Rove, said spokesman Scott McClellan, "was talking about the different philosophies and our different approaches when it comes to winning the war on terrorism."

[MinnesotaMike31]

31. Keep it up Reid! Good work!!! n/t

[shance]

33. Thats the way to get aggressive***********

They want to play that game, we can too.

[depakid]

34. Instead of flapping his lips yet again

maybe Senator Reid would consider doing something to stop the far right agenda?

The man's all talk- when it comes to backing it up- Harry Reid has backed down every single time