a "smear and fear" tour

[madmusic]

Cheney Accuses Democrats of 'Defeatism'

By SCOTT BAUER
The Associated Press
Monday, September 25, 2006; 7:10 PM

The vice president chided Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid of Nevada for opposing the Patriot Act and suggesting the U.S. should not have invaded Iraq, even if it meant leaving Saddam in power.

Reid responded Monday by saying the White House has lost all credibility on matters of national security.

"With Iraq in a civil war, Afghanistan moving backward and our own borders unsecured, it's clear George Bush and Dick Cheney are desperate to hide their record and distort the truth," Reid said.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., said Cheney's comments were proof that the administration's Iraq strategy isn't working.

"Instead of changing course, we just get more of the same tired rhetoric that does nothing to make us safe or fix the mess the vice president has helped create," Kennedy said.

The Democratic National Committee accused Cheney of being on a "smear and fear" tour.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/09/25/AR2006092501012.html