Bush warns war critics. Again.

The Bush regime might hate terror, but it loves fear. Be afraid, says the president. The only thing we have to fear is not being sufficiently fearful.

President George W. Bush on Wednesday tried to shape election-year debate on the Iraq war by warning critics their rhetoric could embolden the enemy and weaken the morale of U.S. troops.

Preparing for a tough campaign against Democrats in the run-up to congressional elections in November when he will try to keep the U.S. Congress in the hands of his Republican Party, Bush acknowledged his decision to invade Iraq almost three years ago was not universally popular.

"I can understand folks who say, 'I wish you hadn't done that,"' he said, adding later, "I expect there to be an honest debate about Iraq ... people can help by making sure the tone of this debate is respectful and is mindful about what messages out of the country can do for morale of our troops."

It would be helpful for Bush to define his terms for us. What constitutes "respectful" debate? Once we know that, perhaps we can understand what "disrespectful" debate is and how it can possibly weaken the morale of our troops. Call me crazy, but I imagine that being sent to war without body armor (which is fully available) is more damaging to morale than questions about why the war had to be fought in the first place.

Of course, Bush has no idea what respectful debate would sound like, any more than he knows what total victory in Iraq would look like. Lacking a substantive message, he has nothing to offer but catch-phrases, threats and lectures.

Thanks for the leadership, Mr. President. Don't be surprised if we punish you for your fear-mongering by turning your party out of office in November.