Rove and Bush and Their Non-9/11 Worldview

For Karl Rove to say, as he did last week, that "Democrats have a pre-9/11 worldview" is the greatest irony. Given his position, presumably Rove participated in the decision of the new president Bush to ignore the warnings of the bi-partisan U.S. Commission on National Security for the 21st Century. We warned that terrorists would attack the United States and that "Americans will die on American soil, possibly in large numbers." They ignored our first (of 50) specific recommendations to create a consolidated federal capability to protect our shores in the form of a Department of Homeland Security. President Bush had this recommendation and warning a full eight months before 9/11 and only acted on it nine months after 9/11. Then, by appointing the infamous "Brownie," he made a hash of it.

The historical record is now clear: the Bush administration neocons were obsessed by Saddam Hussein as they entered office; this obsession did not permit them to take terrorist warnings seriously; they concocted false reasons for invading Iraq; and they have totally mismanaged our unanticipated occupation. They now, finally, call it "the long war." What if they had said that in March, 2003?

So it is totally outrageous for Karl Rove to condemn Democrats (too many of whom voted to invade Iraq.) It is Mr. Rove and president Bush who had a non-9/11 worldview.