Why would George Bush, knowing the furor his remarks would make, redefine his war on terror as a war with “Islamic fascists”? (See the White House Press Release below.)

Quite simple really.

The only hope the Republicans have of winning the mid-term election is to breath new life into the false claim that we will all die at the hands of terrorists if we elect Democrats. As bad as Bush’ Republican numbers are, they still score better on fighting terrorism at home than any other issue and they rode this horse to victory in the 2004 election. (It’s only 50% – but that’s a Hell of a lot better than anything else they have going for them.)

The very word “fascist” stirs up memories of World War II and Nazis. Using the word “fascism” is a thinly veiled attempt to link Middle Eastern terrorists with the holocaust.

Additionally, Karl Rove gets a two-fer. Rove knows this “F” word describes the Bushistas far better than Middle Eastern terrorists and so he is inoculating his patrons. The uproar will make it more difficult for Bush’ opposition to call the Bush crowd “fascists”. (Fascism is a radical totalitarian political philosophy that combines elements of corporatism, authoritarianism, extreme nationalism, militarism, anti-anarchism, anti-communism and anti-liberalism. – Wikipedia)

Senator Joe Lieberman, playing the role of Zell Miller in this election cycle is helping out with his claim that there is an “anti-security” wing of the Democratic Party. Dick Cheney and Rove jumped on the opportunity. So, Dick Cheney claimed – before the liquid plane bomb affair became public – that the victory of Ned Lamont would embolden "the al-Qaida types (to work even harder to) break the will of the American people in terms of our ability to stay in the fight and complete the task."

This is also why Bush jumped in with his remarks. But, more important than the “fascist” comment, Bush, echoing Senator Lieberman, said, “It is a mistake to believe there is no threat (from terrorism) to the United States of America,”

Someone should ask Mr. Bush to name a single person who believes “terrorism poses no threat” to our country. Of course, Mr. Bush will not be able to name anyone because he has posited a straw man in a desperate attempt to make Lieberman’s claim of an anti-security Democratic Party stick and to breathe new life into the mistaken belief that “This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11” due to the efforts of Republicans who not only have to fight the terrorists alone, but have to fight the anti-security Democrats (who hate our country) to do it.

Bush Discusses Terror Plot Upon Arrival in Wisconsin

Green Bay, Wisconsin | August 10th, 2006 | White House Press Release

Bush: The recent arrests that our fellow citizens are now learning about are a stark reminder that this nation is at war with Islamic fascists who will use any means to destroy those of us who love freedom, to hurt our nation.

I want to thank the government of Tony Blair and officials in the United Kingdom for their good work in busting this plot. I thank the officials in Washington, D.C. and around our country who gather intelligence and who work to protect the American people. The cooperation on this venture was excellent -- cooperation between U.K. and U.S. authorities and officials was solid. And the cooperation amongst agencies within our government was excellent.

This country is safer than it was prior to 9/11. We've taken a lot of measures to protect the American people. But obviously, we're still not completely safe, because there are people that still plot and people who want to harm us for what we believe in. It is a mistake to believe there is no threat to the United States of America. And that is why we have given our officials the tools they need to protect our people.
Travelers are going to be inconvenienced as a result of the steps we've taken. I urge their patience and ask them to be vigilant. The inconvenience is -- occurs because we will take the steps necessary to protect the American people.

Again, I appreciate the close cooperation between our government and the government of the United Kingdom. The American people need to know we live in a dangerous world, but our government will do everything we can to protect our people from those dangers.
Thank you.

President Bush Discusses Terror Plot Upon Arrival in Wisconsin.