A Two Term President Shown Whose Boss by a Freshmen Senator who threatens to "show him the way"

[berni_mccoy]

Was this last line of Webb's speech a hint that Bush needs to cooperate or he'll be impeached?

"Tonight we are calling on this president to take similar action, in both areas. If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will be showing him the way."

My take on this is that it is a clear message to Bush: Withdraw from Iraq or face Impeachment.

If it wasn't intended to send that message, the wording would have been as such: "If he does, we will join him. If he does not, we will show him the way."

There is a slight difference, but significant. The phrase 'showing him the way' implies we will direct him to leave, while the phrase 'show him the way' would have implied a lead-by-example approach.

Remember, Webb is a writer. He would be fully aware of the difference in language between these two phrases. I bet that statement has analysts heads spinning tonight...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

1. I think it is purposefully ambiguous, which is great. I MUCH prefer this to:

"Impeachment is off the table" and the like.

Whether or not you intend to do it, why telegraph intentions unless it is absolutely necessary?

Why not keep all options open, let implicit threats stay implicit unless it is absolutely necessary to remove ambiguity?

I like this.

[blonndee]

2. I liked the phrasing but it seems to me

not likely about impeachment, but something along the lines of "We're the ones who are really in charge now." I thought it was great. It really highlighted the Democrats' strength and determination and pointed out Chimpy's lame-duckiness.

[murielm99]

3. As soon as he said it,

I told the TV (I spoke to the TV throughout the evening, yelling at times), "Show him THE DOOR. You mean show him the door!"

He couldn't have said it that way, though. It is too early for that.

The time may come for that. They would have to lay the groundwork first.

It was okay for me to yell at the TV. My husband excused himself. He simply cannot stand to see or hear * any more.

[beltanefauve]

8. Show him the door

was my first response, too!:hi:

[cascadiance]

10. I also said "out the door" at our tv viewing too!

I think that ambiguity was intentional! And I don't think he was necessarily celebrating Peter Frampton's song either!

[efhmc]

4. I am so happy to have this person of quality on our side.

[Clinton_Co_Regulator]

5. K+R

:kick:

I think you are absolutely correct.

[Imagevision]

6. And Webb beat someone who was considered a shoe-in...

[frogcycle]

7. you're making too much of it

the way he said it has a sort of emphasis by understatement - its just a creative style

that said, i believe Jim Webb means business, and WILL be "showing him the way" and that there is NOTHING "off the table"

[Divine Discontent]

9. K&R #5

made it #5 so it's on the greatest thread.. I rather agree with the wording being ambiguous but threatening enough to make them nervous...



www.cafepress.com/warisprofitable <<-- antibush prodem stickers/shirts

[corkhead]

11. I hadn't put my finger on it but that phrase struck a chord with me that I don't think would have

had he used "show" instead of "showing". I hadn't consciously recognized it; excellent observation.

[Toots]

12. A lot like Newt talking about Clinton after his SOU address

Something about a train and if he didn't get on board he would be run over because the train was coming through..Also called Clinton irrelevent...:rofl:

[ProfessorGAC]

Ooops!

I think Newt might have gotten that prediction wrong! At least that's what i think! LOL! Geez, Newt got run over by Clinton & run out of town by his own party. And, he's relevant?
The Professor

[ProfessorGAC]

13. Dupe

.