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Article: Politics of Invading Haiti Disputed; Past Popularity Gains Were Short, White House Says to GOP Charge
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- September 11, 1994
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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Republicans this week began a drumbeat: Invading Haiti now,
they say, could only be the politically motivated act of a desperate
president seeking a "bounce" in his popularity with an international
military crisis just before midterm elections.
But the modern history of such presidential moves - a history
President Clinton has recited to some of his aides and outsiders -
suggests that while presidential standings often do improve briefly
following military encounters, the chances of improvement are slim
if the action is heavily criticized in the days before it occurs and
immediately afterward.
Clinton advisers said last week that suggestions the president
would endanger American lives ...