SHE JUST DOESNT GET IT

November 24, 2002 -- Its hardly surprising that Hillary Clin ton is all over the political map when it comes to the Bush administrations determination to confront Saddam Hussein. Triangulation, after all, is the Clinton family game though its really just a fancy term for trying to play both sides of the fence simultaenously.

But in suggesting that the Bush teams chief motive is a desire for personal revenge, shes gone too far.

A lot of people in this administration have some old scores to settle, she said in a TV interview last week, claiming that Bush is anxious to go to war which, she adds, does a great disservice to our nation.

If anyone on Capitol Hill is an expert on the art of political revenge, its surely New Yorks junior senator getting even, of course, being yet another Clinton family game.

But Hillary is way off base on this one to the point that it seems she doesnt truly understand the nature of Bushs determination to defeat terrorism.

Its not about getting even with Saddam for having remained in power since Bushs father led the 1991 Gulf War. Its not about rubbing the Iraqi despots nose in the dirt out of spite.

Its about protecting America from a concerted, broad-based international threat that has been ignored for far too long.

In theory, thats why Clinton voted for the congressional resolution authorizing force against Iraq though now she says, It was a very difficult vote for me.

Thats vintage Clinton: Placating the vast majority of Americans who approve of the presidents policy, while leaving herself an out for the left-wing crowd to whom she remains a folk hero.

That she has a problem with Bushs tough talk shouldnt surprise, either.

Her husband, after all, used to talk tough on Saddam, too only to capitulate at the last minute (except when Congress was voting on his impeachment). The only message he sent to Saddam is that Americas bluff could easily be called.

George W. Bush is sending another message entirely: resolve and determination.

Hes making it abundantly clear that America is no longer going to back down that this nation is prepared to carry through if Saddam continues to defy international will.

President Bush is acting on principle an alien notion to the Clintonites. No surprise the senator cant make up her mind.

-- Anonymous, November 24, 2002