Jan. 20 (Bloomberg) -- Karl Rove, President George W. Bush's top political adviser, criticized Democrats for wanting to ``cut and run'' in Iraq and said Bush and the Republicans better understand how to make the country stronger and safer.
``We have a loud chorus of Democrats who want us to cut and run in Iraq,'' Rove, 54, said in a broad attack at the winter meeting of the Republican National Committee in Washington.
``The U.S. faces a ruthless enemy and we need a commander in chief and Congress who understand the nature of the threat and gravity of the moment America finds itself in,'' Rove said. ``President Bush and the Republican party do. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for many Democrats.''
The speech, to about 270 party members, was Rove's first public address since November. He didn't mention the political scandals that hang over the capital, choosing to focus on three areas where he said the parties differ -- national security, the economy and the courts -- in what may be a precursor of the party's platform in this year's mid-term elections.
``Republicans and Democrats have deep differences about our nation, where it is going and what needs to be done to make it stronger, better and safer'' Rove said in a speech interrupted several times by applause.
`Radical Position'
Without citing any Democrats by name, Rove blasted ``one radical position'' calling for ``an immediate stand-down of U.S. troops in Iraq and withdrawal by the end of April.'' Democratic Representative John Murtha, a Vietnam War veteran who voted in favor of the Iraq war, in November called for a withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, saying they could be out of the country in as soon as six months.
``To retreat before victory has been won would be a reckless act, and this president and our party will not allow it,'' Rove said, drawing a round of applause.
Rove ignored the legal problems that have ensnared some prominent Republicans. I. Lewis Libby, Vice President Dick Cheney's former chief of staff, was indicted in October on perjury and obstruction of justice charges. He has pleaded not guilty. Rove himself remains under investigation in the probe, which centers on the leaking of Central Intelligence Agency Valerie Plame's name after her husband criticized the Bush administration.
Defending Surveillance
Former U.S. House Majority Leader Tom DeLay has been indicted on alleged campaign finance violations, and lobbyist Jack Abramoff has pleaded guilty in a federal corruption probe.
President Bush ordered the White House staff in November to take refresher classes on ethics rules and both political parties are striving to be labeled the party of ``reform'' by proposing new regulations on lobbyists.
RNC Chairman Ken Mehlman did touch on the scandals in a speech before Rove's. While ``I'm loyal to the members of our party,'' Mehlman said, ``if Republicans are guilty of illegal or inappropriate behavior, they should pay the price and they should suffer the consequences.''
Rove defended the warrantless surveillance by the National Security Agency as necessary ``to protect American lives'' and said it was ``both legal and fully consistent with'' the Fourth Amendment and the protection of civil liberties.'
The Republicans' winter meeting is designed largely to energize party members for the November congressional elections.
Inevitably, there was also talk of future presidential elections. Mehlman drew laughter during a rules committee session yesterday when he said the group was extremely important because it will set the rules for the selection of the party's 2012 nominee. ``And George P. Bush's presidential campaign will be watching what you are going to do,'' Mehlman said.
George P. Bush is the eldest son of Florida Governor Jeb Bush and President Bush's nephew. In 2012, he will turn 36, one year older than the Constitution requires for the presidency.
