Vice President Cheney speaks in Grand Rapids

Analysis:

This story is based on the visit by Vice President Cheney to the Ford Museum to promote the administration’s Iraq policy. The Press cites Cheney making claims such as “the United States and our coalition are getting things right in Iraq,” but provided no evidence or examples of how “things are right in Iraq.” Cheney also states that the consequences of a hasty departure from Iraq would result in “the ensuing carnage would further destabilize the Middle East,” but again there is no evidence to support such a claim. The article then mentions that Cheney’s visit is “part of a major push by the Bush administration to shore up support for the war,” and then mentions that polls reflect “public disillusion with the war.” However, no specific polls or polling information is provided to support the claim made by the Press writer.

The Press story then repeats the main message by the Bush administration about the so-called “troop reduction” put forth in general Patraeus’s recommendations. The story also says “Democratic leaders are faulting the plan outlined by Bush as a continuation of a failed strategy,” but does not mention any specifics about their objections nor what alternative plan they might have, if any.

The last part of the story mentions that there were protestors at the Ford Museum, quotes one of them, but doesn’t provide information or name the group that organized the demonstration. Does it seem clear from the quote from the GVSU student as to why people were protesting Cheney’s visit? The last three paragraphs has information about who from the area GOP was accompanying Cheney.

Story:

Echoing the words of President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney said that retreat from Iraq is not an option. Speaking for about 30 minutes this morning to a selected audience of about 200 at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum, Cheney argued that the battle is part of the larger fight against global terrorism.

“Ladies and gentlemen, the United States and our coalition are getting things right in Iraq,” he said.

Like Bush, Cheney warned of the consequences of a hasty departure from Iraq, saying that “the ensuing carnage would further destabilize the Middle East.”

Cheney also proclaimed himself “confident in the outcome” of the war.

“We will press on in our mission and we will turn events toward victory,” he said.

Following the speech, he visited Ford’s tomb outside the museum.

Cheney’s stop here and later today at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., is part of a major push by the Bush administration to shore up support for the war. Polls continue to reflect public disillusion with the war, which is approaching its fifth year.

In his nationally televised speech Thursday night, Bush said that 5,700 troops would be brought home by Christmas.

He laid the prospect that five more combat brigades — or about 30,000 troops — would be withdrawn from Iraq next summer if conditions permit. That parallels the recommendation this week by Iraq commander Gen. David Petraeus.

That would leave 130,000 troops there, on the eve of a presidential campaign in which the war is expected to be the dominant issue. The president said troops could be reduced to 100,000 by the end of 2008.

Democratic leaders are faulting the plan outlined by Bush as a continuation of a failed strategy. Cheney’s visit marks the third time in less than a year that Bush or Cheney appeared in West Michigan to make the case for war.

In September 2006, Cheney urged commitment to the war before a gathering of Guard and Reserve troops and their families at Wyoming’s Grand Valley Armory. In April, President Bush spoke at East Grand Rapids High School as he delivered a policy speech laying out the tactics behind the “surge” strategy he asserts will turn the tide in Iraq.

As Cheney began his speech in Grand Rapids, some 75 anti-war protesters gathered nearby holding signs, blowing whistles, shaking rattles, and chanting “Cheney out of Grand Rapids,” and “U.S. out of Iraq”.

The crowd arrived outside the museum about 10:15 a.m., led by a banner that read “U.S. out of Iraq.” Many carried signs that said, “Support the troops, end the war.” The group initially marched toward the front entrance but police moved them back to sidewalk near Ah Nab Awen Park where they remained peaceful but noisy.

“Clearly the protest in of itself is not going to end the war,” said organizer and Grand Valley State University student Richard Hackler, 21. “It’s about letting this administration know they can’t go anywhere without attracting an angry mob. We need to let people know we don’t support the war.”

Cheney arrived at Gerald R. Ford International Airport just before 9:30 this morning.

Cheney, who served as chief of staff for President Ford, exited his plan carrying a big black umbrella to shield himself from the rain.

He was accompanied by his daughter Elizabeth Cheney and greeted by his old friend, Peter Secchia, a Grand Rapids businessman, former ambassador to Italy and Republican Party activist. Also on the tarmac were Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land of Byron Center, Kent County Commission Chair Roger Morgan, former Kent County Republican Party Chairwoman Libby Child and Kyle Olson, vice president of the nonprofit Education Action Group.