Frank Lautenberg: “it is interesting and amazing to me to listen to the critics of dissent in this democratic society. If you disagree with…”

“it is interesting and amazing to me to listen to the critics of dissent in this democratic society. If you disagree with the administration, they try to insult you out of order and to create positions that describe you as insignificant, willing to retreat. We watched last week as the President continued his administration, as he began yet another campaign to convince Americans that its policy in Iraq is working. But much like the President's Iraq policy itself, this latest rhetorical campaign just isn't working. There have been five Bush administration campaigns to convince America that we should stay the course, and in each one of these administration claims they fail to convince the public. The public is smarter than they give them credit for. The American people understand what is happening in Iraq, and no wordsmithing is going to change that. The administration rhetoric continues. Last month, in a speech in Arizona, Vice President Cheney said: What these Democrats are pushing now is the very kind of retreat that has been tried in the past and has failed. Is he implying that their mismanaged offense worked? Ask the 2,600 families who lost a son or a daughter there whether they think the plan has worked. It is insulting to suggest that those who disagree suggest a retreat. They are ugly, partisan, political comments by the Vice President.…”