Bush Brings Failed Homeland Security Policies Out West

Today, President Bush will attempt to trumpet his Administration’s efforts to keep our country safe. But, the record is clear: the Bush Administration has not made homeland security a real priority. From their inability to secure our borders and ports, to their failure to enact the recommendations of the 9/11 Commission, the Bush White House and their GOP Congress have ignored vital holes in our homeland security. At the same time, President Bush’s stay-the-course policy in Iraq, as former Secretary of State Colin Powell stated yesterday, “simply isn’t good enough.” It is clear that the American people aren't happy with the President’s failed policies. The latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal found that the President’s approval rating has fallen three points to 40 percent and “46 percent of registered voters believe the war in Iraq has hurt the United States in its ability to win the war on terrorism.” [MSNBC, 10/3/06]

“President Bush should spend less time with petty name calling and instead explain to the American people why he's failed to close the gaping holes in our nation’s security,” said Democratic National Committee Press Secretary Stacie Paxton. “Aren’t we long overdue to secure our borders, ports and chemical plants so that terrorists are not able to strike our country’s infrastructure? Democrats believe that homeland security begins with hometown security, that’s why we will actually close the gaps in our security, not just talk about it.”

Powell On Iraq: “Staying The Course Isn’t Good Enough.” “The United States and allies can not resolve the current sectarian violence in Iraq, former Secretary of State Colin Powell said today during a lecture in Minneapolis. ‘Only the Iraqi people can resolve this,’ Powell said. … In Iraq, ‘staying the course isn't good enough because a course has to have an end,’ Powell said.” [Minneapolis Star-Tribune, 10/4/06]