Pat Robertson critcizes Bush

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-10-20 07:25am

Didn't think we'd see this so soon, but it looks like Bush's unholy alliance between the neo-cons, christian radicals and mainstream conservatives is starting to crack at the seams...

CNN wrote:NEW YORK (CNN) -- The founder of the U.S. Christian Coalition said Tuesday he told President George W. Bush before the invasion of Iraq that he should prepare Americans for the likelihood of casualties, but the president told him, "We're not going to have any casualties."

Pat Robertson, an ardent Bush supporter, said he had that conversation with the president in Nashville, Tennessee, before the March 2003 invasion. He described Bush in the meeting as "the most self-assured man I've ever met in my life."

"You remember Mark Twain said, 'He looks like a contented Christian with four aces.' I mean he was just sitting there like, 'I'm on top of the world,' " Robertson said on the CNN show, "Paula Zahn Now."

"And I warned him about this war. I had deep misgivings about this war, deep misgivings. And I was trying to say, 'Mr. President, you had better prepare the American people for casualties.' "

Robertson said the president then told him, "Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties."

Robertson, the televangelist who sought the Republican presidential nomination in 1988, said he wishes Bush would admit to mistakes made.

"I mean, the Lord told me it was going to be A, a disaster, and B, messy," Robertson said. "I warned him about casualties."

More than 1,100 U.S. troops have died in Iraq and another 8,000 troops have been wounded in the ongoing campaign, with the casualty toll significantly increasing in the last six months as the insurgency there has deepened.

Asked why Bush has refused to admit to mistakes on Iraq, Robertson said, "I don't know this politics game. You know, you can never say you were wrong because the opposition grabs onto it: 'See, he admitted he screwed up.'

"Even as Robertson criticized Bush for downplaying the potential dangers of the Iraq war, he heaped praise on Bush, saying he believes the president will win the election and that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush."

"Even if he stumbles and messes up -- and he's had his share of stumbles and gaffes -- I just think God's blessing is on him," Robertson said.

As for Bush's Democratic rival, Sen. John Kerry, Robertson said, "I don't think he's a leader. He's a ponderous debater, a good senator probably."

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2004-10-20 09:06am

here's hoping the alliance falls apartt. . .

Iceberg · Post by **Iceberg** » 2004-10-20 09:37am

If this was any criticism more serious than "Bush didn't listen to me," it would be worthwhile.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-10-20 09:46am

Iceberg wrote:If this was any criticism more serious than "Bush didn't listen to me," it would be worthwhile.

Oh this isn't going to matter to the election. Bush has sufficiently solidified the Christian right so that nothing short of an act of God would move them from being in his camp. What it DOES show is that Bush's Doctrine of pax Americana isn't necessarily playing well across his entire base and people are starting to get fidgity. When this election is over (one way or another) you can expect to see widespread disharmony within the GOP coalition. It is only a matter of time.

HyperionX · Post by **HyperionX** » 2004-10-20 09:51am

"Oh, no, we're not going to have any casualties."

When Pat Robertson sounds more reasonable than the president, you know you've got a problem.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-10-20 09:55am

When Pat Robertson says Bush made a mistake but continues on to remind us that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush," you'll have to forgive me for doubting that the Republican/Fundie alliance is starting to crack.

The Kernel · Post by **The Kernel** » 2004-10-20 10:00am

Darth Wong wrote:When Pat Robertson says Bush made a mistake but continues on to remind us that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush," you'll have to forgive me for doubting that the Republican/Fundie alliance is starting to crack.

That isn't the issue, the issue is that there is a significant ideological wedge between the different members of the GOP and this situation can't hold. Remember 1996? We could see the same thing in 2008 with extreme right wing voters flocking to a particularly popular third party cadidate.

Post by **Vympel** » 2004-10-20 10:00am

Bush has sufficiently solidified the Christian right so that nothing short of an act of God would move them from being in his camp.

Something along the lines of say ... a multiple-angle DVD of Bush having sexual relations with a dead parrot in the Oval Office? That would be funny.

DPDarkPrimus · Post by **DPDarkPrimus** » 2004-10-20 10:38am

Anyone know if Pat's changing his Godly visions on the Iraq war from what he's said before, or not?

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-10-20 12:42pm

So wait. God told Pat Robertson that it was going to be a disaster, but he told Bush that there weren't going to be any casualties?

This God fellow is a sick bastard.

SirNitram · Post by **SirNitram** » 2004-10-20 12:54pm

Durandal wrote:So wait. God told Pat Robertson that it was going to be a disaster, but he told Bush that there weren't going to be any casualties?

This God fellow is a sick bastard.

No. Bush said there would be no casualities.

For some reason, that boils my blood.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2004-10-20 01:08pm

he also said there were wmds. lets be blunt, hes not the most honest fellow in the world

Post by **Beowulf** » 2004-10-20 03:53pm

SirNitram wrote:No. Bush said there would be no casualities.

Where has he said that?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-10-20 03:55pm

Beowulf wrote:
SirNitram wrote:No. Bush said there would be no casualities.
Where has he said that?

You didn't bother reading the first post in this thread? I suppose you could always say that you think Pat Robertson is just lying, but I think it's common courtesy to read the first post in a thread before posting in it to ask a question which is answered in its first few sentences.

Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi · Post by **Asst. Asst. Lt. Cmdr. Smi** » 2004-10-20 03:57pm

So, does Pat Robertson still think that Bush will "win in a walk" as he said a while back?

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-10-20 03:58pm

I seem to recall that while flipping the channels late at night about a year ago seeing Robertson and his 700 Club cronies pushing for the war like crack addicts looking for a hit. Let me see if I can dig up some pre war quotes from that man.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-10-20 04:13pm

Look for quotes from around the time of the invasion itself, when people were furiously wanking over the one-sided defeat of the Iraqi forces.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2004-10-20 04:59pm

Darth Wong wrote:You didn't bother reading the first post in this thread? I suppose you could always say that you think Pat Robertson is just lying, but I think it's common courtesy to read the first post in a thread before posting in it to ask a question which is answered in its first few sentences.

Considering the causalties that we have in peacetime(soldiers accidentally getting run over by tanks, etc). It's makes me highly suspect that he's lying about the no causalties remark. Has Bush stated that anywhere else?

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-10-20 05:02pm

Beowulf wrote:
Darth Wong wrote:You didn't bother reading the first post in this thread? I suppose you could always say that you think Pat Robertson is just lying, but I think it's common courtesy to read the first post in a thread before posting in it to ask a question which is answered in its first few sentences.
Considering the causalties that we have in peacetime(soldiers accidentally getting run over by tanks, etc). It's makes me highly suspect that he's lying about the no causalties remark. Has Bush stated that anywhere else?

He is normally coached or scripted when he speaks "on the record", so I doubt he would have ever said sometihng so reckless. I suppose that means it's just Pat Robertson's word, for whatever that's worth.

Post by **Beowulf** » 2004-10-20 05:06pm

Darth Wong wrote:He is normally coached or scripted when he speaks "on the record", so I doubt he would have ever said sometihng so reckless. I suppose that means it's just Pat Robertson's word, for whatever that's worth.

Which in my opinion is very little.

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2004-10-20 06:05pm

Pat Robertson wrote:"Even as Robertson criticized Bush for downplaying the potential dangers of the Iraq war, he heaped praise on Bush, saying he believes the president will win the election and that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush."

Who wants to bet that Robertson will deny ever saying such things if Kerry wins?

Singular Quartet · Post by **Singular Quartet** » 2004-10-20 09:51pm

Darth Servo wrote:
Pat Robertson wrote:"Even as Robertson criticized Bush for downplaying the potential dangers of the Iraq war, he heaped praise on Bush, saying he believes the president will win the election and that "the blessing of heaven is on Bush."
Who wants to bet that Robertson will deny ever saying such things if Kerry wins?

I don't bet against sure things.

Post by **The Yosemite Bear** » 2004-10-20 11:50pm

Iceberg wrote:If this was any criticism more serious than "Bush didn't listen to me," it would be worthwhile.

nah he's just pissed that he found out that Bush was in bed with the Corprate Fat cats and the Gun Nuts not just being totally faithful to the Religous Fundamentalists. Besides Pat Robertson's been snitty with his lover since he killed Ms Tucker and Robertson told him not to.

dr. what · Post by **dr. what** » 2004-10-21 03:53pm

Oh like this is a surprise...

White House disputes Robertson comment

Darth Servo · Post by **Darth Servo** » 2004-10-21 04:34pm

Wow, what smashing evidence:

Senior Bush campaign adviser Karen Hughes, a longtime confidant of the president, said she was "certain" Bush would not have said anything like that to Robertson.

A campaign advisor doesn't think Bush would say something that moronic, so it must be the case....not that I trust Robertson any more than I trust the people helping out Shrubby.