MOORE VERSUS O’REILLY

Both are repulsive in different ways. But O’Reilly, at least, has some grip on the truth and on morality. He wins this exchange outright, I’d say. But the exchange also highlights the difficulty of the Bush administration and its supporters on the Iraq war. In my view, they made the right decision; and they didn’t lie. But they were wrong – spectacularly wrong – on the major plank they used to justify the war. Where does the accountability for that lie, if not, ultimately, with the president? And how does a president who has made such a massive error – however understandably – retain the confidence of the public to continue what is a vital war? Those are the questions this election must answer. The president has publicly held no one accountable, unless you count the departure of George Tenet (whom Bush praised to the skies). Will the voters now hold Bush responsible? Or will the prospect of Kerry get Bush off the hook once again?