Ashcroft to leave .. Breaking

frigidmagi · Post by **frigidmagi** » 2004-11-04 01:10pm

He's gone to.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-11-04 01:12pm

JME2 wrote:Hmm. It's a start, but it's not enough. Rummy needs to go next in my book.

He seems to be leaving, too.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-11-04 01:18pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
JME2 wrote:Hmm. It's a start, but it's not enough. Rummy needs to go next in my book.
He seems to be leaving, too.

That one more questionable. Rumsfeld wants to stay finish fucking over... I mean restructing the Armed Forces. I suspect he also wants to be in office to help cover his ass for his misdeeds as well. But that hasn't been mentioned.

On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.

Master of Ossus · Post by **Master of Ossus** » 2004-11-04 01:21pm

Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.

Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-11-04 01:24pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.
Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.

Well The Powell Doctrine was pretty much common sense. "Fight only with overwhelming force and a clearly defined exit strategy". No shit Colin, really?

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-11-04 01:26pm

Master of Ossus wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.
Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.

I disagreee that he sucked that badly, but the fact is he's one of the few moderates on Bush's foreign policy team. He's also one of the few people in the Bush cabinet that doesn't have a bad reputation here and abroad. I'm worried more about the effect of his leaving than anything.

Durandal · Post by **Durandal** » 2004-11-04 03:00pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:
Master of Ossus wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.
Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.
Well The Powell Doctrine was pretty much common sense. "Fight only with overwhelming force and a clearly defined exit strategy". No shit Colin, really?

I'm tired of all these "doctrines." Why can't I have a fucking doctrine, like "You can't fight insurgents in their own country"?

Stormbringer wrote:I disagreee that he sucked that badly, but the fact is he's one of the few moderates on Bush's foreign policy team. He's also one of the few people in the Bush cabinet that doesn't have a bad reputation here and abroad. I'm worried more about the effect of his leaving than anything.

I was under the impression that his credibility has been shot to shit ever since that stupid UN anthrax demonstration.

Glocksman · Post by **Glocksman** » 2004-11-04 03:03pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:
Master of Ossus wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.
Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.
Well The Powell Doctrine was pretty much common sense. "Fight only with overwhelming force and a clearly defined exit strategy". No shit Colin, really?

Given the mess LBJ and Nixon made of Vietnam, the 'Powell Doctrine' is sheer genius and should be posted on billboards.

Wicked Pilot · Post by **Wicked Pilot** » 2004-11-04 03:06pm

Glocksman wrote:Given the mess LBJ and Nixon made of Vietnam, the 'Powell Doctrine' is sheer genius and should be posted on billboards.

Too bad Powell has never been in a position in which he had the actual authority to follow it.

ReinnResauq · Post by **ReinnResauq** » 2004-11-04 03:31pm

When Ashcroft was hated so much by his own state (a conservative state, no less!) that he was beaten by a dead democrat, anyone who would put him in another position of power must've been a real idiot and/or fuckwit. Oh wait...

On a lighter note, I wonder if he got an infection from the rancid oil he used to annoint himself with before gubanatorial actions.

Darth Raptor · Post by **Darth Raptor** » 2004-11-04 04:03pm

Lady Justice lap-dances for everyone!

Take it all off, you foxy thing! W00T!!!

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2004-11-04 05:16pm

Durandal wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:I disagreee that he sucked that badly, but the fact is he's one of the few moderates on Bush's foreign policy team. He's also one of the few people in the Bush cabinet that doesn't have a bad reputation here and abroad. I'm worried more about the effect of his leaving than anything.
I was under the impression that his credibility has been shot to shit ever since that stupid UN anthrax demonstration.

His credibility isn't what it used to be that's for sure, he's taken with a grain of salt same as anyone. But unlike the rest of the Bush Administration he isn't veiwed as being part of the Iraq Conspiracy. Basically he's still veiwed as a decent human being, if no more trustworthy any more.

Bob the Gunslinger · Post by **Bob the Gunslinger** » 2004-11-04 05:35pm

Col. Crackpot wrote:
Master of Ossus wrote:
Stormbringer wrote:On a bad note, Colin Powell is also among the list of people who might be stepping down.
Why is that bad? Powell sucked ass as a general, politician, and Secretary of State. It's about time he was out of the public life.
Well The Powell Doctrine was pretty much common sense. "Fight only with overwhelming force and a clearly defined exit strategy". No shit Colin, really?

That's 100 times better than the Bush doctrine.

Alex Moon · Post by **Alex Moon** » 2004-11-04 06:16pm

This really isn't suprising. Ashcroft was a bone thrown to the evangelicals. Rove got what he wanted, which was an extra 4 million voter turnout from them. If the republicans are smart, they'll moderate their tone this term. To be honest I wouldn't be suprised at the following happening in the next four years.

Bush signing civil unions for gays
Clarence Thomas being nominated to Chief Justice
Cheney stepping down. Replaced with someone more moderate, or someone like Condaleeza Rice.

Remember that Bush came into office with very little support. These past four years have been spent building up for the 2004 elections. It paid off, and now that the Administration has some breathing room, the can afford to court groups such as gays and minorities to a greater extent.

RedImperator · Post by **RedImperator** » 2004-11-04 06:45pm

Who's the man?

Admiral Valdemar · Post by **Admiral Valdemar** » 2004-11-04 06:46pm

RedImperator wrote:Who's the man?

Uh-oh, his ego is expanding at an alarming rate.

Knife · Post by **Knife** » 2004-11-04 06:48pm

JME2 wrote:Hmm. It's a start, but it's not enough. Rummy needs to go next in my book.

Every rumor I've heard says he's leaving too.

I don't really mind him, his quite a funny guy, but his brilliant plans are horriblly executed. So bye bye, imo.

phongn · Post by **phongn** » 2004-11-04 08:17pm

RedImperator wrote:Who's the man?

It took you until page two to stroke your ego? You're slipping, Red

Post by **Kuja** » 2004-11-04 08:23pm

Praise the Emperor!

Hey, it's as good as any other.

CelesKnight · Post by **CelesKnight** » 2004-11-04 09:52pm

Alex Moon wrote:Bush signing civil unions for gays
Clarence Thomas being nominated to Chief Justice
Cheney stepping down. Replaced with someone more moderate, or someone like Condaleeza Rice.

#1 I think so as well. I suspect that it will come as part of a deal to get judges appointed. I.e. The Republicans allow civil unions, and the Dems approve strict constructionists. They might wait until after the 2006 election so that they can use the gay marriage issue again.

#2 No, Scalia. Also, I'm betting Estrada is the first nominee. Ashcroft is the second unless he's really too ill to serve.

#3. Maybe. If Bush/Cheney want what's best for the Republican Party, they will replace Cheney. However, if that was the case, they would have replaced him six months ago. If they do replace him, my guess is that they go with a young, solid conservative from the Midwest. That type of candidate is less likely to lose the south than a moderate and is just as likely to win votes in the Midwest swing states.

mauldooku · Post by **mauldooku** » 2004-11-04 10:04pm

I hesitate to call this a good move until I see his replacement. Sure, it's unlikely that he/she'd be worse than Ashcroft, but you truly never know.

Post by **Broomstick** » 2004-11-05 06:22am

Ashcroft suffered a bout of pacreatitis earlier this year, back in March, in fact. It stuck in my mind because my husband was recovering from the same at the time.

Not only is pancreatitis horribly painful, Ashcroft got a pretty serious case of it. It can have significant long-term effects, including permanent organ damage and reduced stamina, and full recovery typically takes 6 months to 1 year.

So, yeah, it is entirely possible that he really is retiring due to health problems.

Good riddance.

Col. Crackpot · Post by **Col. Crackpot** » 2004-11-05 07:26am

even if he regains his health, there is no way Ashcroft will be appointed to SCOTUS. He is not now, nor has he ever been a judge. I don't think he would know how to handle the job. If Bush wanted a strict cultural conservative on the bench, there are plenty of "better" choices.

HemlockGrey · Post by **HemlockGrey** » 2004-11-05 07:41am

Ashcroft is the second unless he's really too ill to serve.

Ashcroft will never sit the bench. Even if Bush somehow picks him, the judicial committee will never allow it.

Post by **Darth Wong** » 2004-11-05 07:48am

Broomstick wrote:Ashcroft suffered a bout of pacreatitis earlier this year, back in March, in fact. It stuck in my mind because my husband was recovering from the same at the time.

Not only is pancreatitis horribly painful, Ashcroft got a pretty serious case of it. It can have significant long-term effects, including permanent organ damage and reduced stamina, and full recovery typically takes 6 months to 1 year.

So, yeah, it is entirely possible that he really is retiring due to health problems.

Good riddance.

You mean Jesus didn't take the sickness away from his pancreas?