So, a leader of Iran praised the way the elections turned out, and an Al Queda tape gloated over the ousting of Rumsfeld and the electoral injury to the President. (Take my word on this right now; I’m trying to find cites that are NOT blogs.)
Now, whatever you may think of politics these days, this could become a real issue, if only one of perception. What, if anything, should the Democratic Party do about this? What WILL they do? Overreact by becoming Republicans Lite on the war? Be more reluctant to pursue stuff like withdrawal from Iraq? Hey, the Presidental election is only two years away, after all, and the majorities are pretty slim. Even if you don’t think this is a big deal, there’s at least a non-zero chance that some pretty powerful Democrats will be at least somewhat concerned.
I also read quite a few expressions of joy from various groups ranging from Iranian politicians, Hamas and the government controlled press of a number of Islamic countries.
There is probably little anyone can do about perceptions based on misconceptions. The rulers of these mostly autocratic regimes probably lack an understanding of the US system and may be a bit disappointed to find that the changes will ultimately turn out to be less advantageous to them than they first imagined. Targo
I don’t think there’s a general sentiment of praise for the Democrats, or even one of specific gloating at the Republicans - it’s just a general hatred of Bush and Americans in general. I’ve never seen any quotes from a terrorist group or leader even mentioning Democrats or Republicans, and I certainly can’t see your average suicide bomber thinking “Aha, now the Democrats have a turn in power, all my problems are solved”.
I would say consider the source and ignore their silly rantings. As long as they are able to get people to hate others they will continue to do so.
We can work with the new Iraqi government as best we can and be watchful of their antics, There must be many depressed people who would rather die killing other people than to help the people of their country.
A sad situation that we are now in with them, as Tony Blair said it “will take a generation” to get rid of the suicidal people, the main terrorists get some flunky to do their dirty work and stay hidden in a hole like Bin Laden and Hussian.
Hah! For years the Republicans have been unable-- or unwilling– to discourage either al-Qaeda or Iran from pursuing their anti-American agendas while openly trash-talking the United States with impunity. Yet, the very instant the Democrats return to power, not only do both al-Qaeda and Iran sit up and take notice, they’re suddenly falling all over themselves to express praise and admiration for the fruits of American-style democracy! Even before the dust has settled from the election, America’s foes are already running scared. No longer will Osama bin Laden be able to lounge comfortably in the Iranian president’s hot tub, secure in the knowledge that American leadership isn’t concerned about his whereabouts; the days of wine and roses are over now.
They interpret the election as a victory and are celebrating accordingly. Hard to deny that claim. After all (IMHO) the insurgents have been focusing their activities over the past few months for best effect on the election. To that degree they were very successful. Whether or not it will result in major Iraq policy changes are still questionable but I think they played the odds correctly.
I’m quite sure that people of all stripes all around the world are gleeful at the dismantling of the Republican machine. We’re fairly unpopular pretty much everywhere. Bush has been a hell of a uniter.
So, I don’t think the Democrats should do a damn thing about it.
And Bush can take his repeated statements that al Quada shouldn’t celebrate because of the Democrats and shove them up his pissy little heavily-reamed ass. It’s as bipartisan and cooperative as if I were to repeatedly reassuring the parents of children in the neighborhood that have nothing to fear just because my new neighbor moved in.
“A statement purportedly from the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq hails the defeat of Republicans in the US mid-term polls. The audio message, whose authenticity has not been verified, was published on Islamist websites and was said to be the voice of Abu Hamza al-Muhajir.”
Hasn’t it always been their goal to eliminate western presence from Muslim countries? I can see why they might view the election as positive for them. You don’t have to be a member of al-Qaeda to object to what’s happening in Iraq.
I’m sure most Muslims are horrified when they read about prisioner abuse, rapes, murder of women and children and see the elections as a good thing.
**Khamenei calls elections a victory for Iran **
" Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Friday called U.S. President George W. Bush’s defeat in congressional elections a victory for Iran.
Bush has accused Iran of trying to make a nuclear bomb, being a state sponsor of terrorism and stoking sectarian conflict in Iraq, all charges Tehran denies."
I don’t agree that the praise from Al Qaeda, et al should be ignored by Democratic leaders.
The US public has been told over and over by their guru, GW, that a victory for Democrats is a victory for the terrorists, and I think many of them believe it. I believe that the praise needs to be disavowed on a regular basis. The actions taken in governing should clearly show that such glee on the part of our enemies is unwarranted. For example, stop the practice of governing so as to maximize corporate welfare at the expense of the middle class. Try to remodel the income tax to the benefit the average wage earner. Work with GW to adopt a sensible course of action in Iraq, that is if he will go for such a thing. Stuff like that.
My best guess is that it’s a misapplication of the old saying “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.”
In their minds:
George Bush opposes us.
The Democrats oppose George Bush.
Ergo, the Democrats are on our side.
They’re obviously quite wrong, however. I think that the Democrats, if they make any comment at all, should say “Let there be no mistake. No matter how hard we fight against the policies of the President, it pales in comparison with our contempt for terrorism.”
My guess is that they are trying to discredit the Democrats ( after all, I’m sure Al Qaeda and Iran know most American’s don’t like them ) by associating the Democrats with themselves. They want the Republicans in power; the GOP has been a massive boon to them, and done severe damage to America, especially internationally. Any sensible enemy of America wants the GOP in power; IIRC even the CIA believed Bin Laden wanted Bush to win, before the last Presidential election.
sensible enemy=Al Queda? I guess that falls under sensible by who’s standards.
As for your second statement, in terms of recruitment - yes. In terms of being a thorn in Al Queda’s side, I think the GOP has a much stronger track record.
Hardly; they’ve been a massive benefit to Al Queda. Most obviously, by eliminating Saddam Hussein. Also, invading Muslim countries for no good reason, then raping and torturing and murdering the populace, and wrecking that country in general is a great way of making Al Queda look like they have a point, and we are the “Great Satan”. That, and the GOPs willingness to run roughshod over our “allies” also reduces the worlds willingness to cooperate with us in catching them. And I’d hardly call aiding their recruiting trivial. As well, their insistanc in using the military for a police and intelligence problem cripples us in any effort against terrorism.
Finally, I see little evidence that the GOP has any intention of seriously trying to destroy Al Queda. It wasn’t the Democrats who decided to stop hunting Bin Laden; it was Bush.
Oh, yes! Al Qaeda has suffered so, so much since 9/11. I mean, they’ve had to hire all kinds of new trainers to bring their thousands of new recruits in line. And they can barely keep up with the bookkeeping, the donations from Muslims concerned about what’s going on in Iraq are coming in so fast. And their propaganda arm is completely overworked with the sheer wealth of new material we Americans are giving them to work with, what with Gitmo, Abu Ghraib, secret CIA prisons, and the 109th GOP Congress rolling over like a trained dog to make the things the Administration has already done legal.
I’d hasten to add that such rhetoric helps Al Qaeda, Hamas, and Iran’s Supreme Leader with their own domestic constituancies. To “show a victory” against their enemies is to strengthen their position at home, so they want to spin the US elections as good news for them. It’s not really unsurprising.