In Rare Talk Show Interview, Bush Defends Decision on War

NY Times ^ | 2.8.04

[ambrose]

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February 8, 2004

In Rare Talk Show Interview, Bush Defends Decision on War

By RICHARD W. STEVENSON

ASHINGTON, Feb. 7 ? President Bush said Saturday that he did not want the commission he appointed to be hurried in evaluating prewar intelligence about Iraq's banned weapons, and he said voters would have plenty of opportunity to evaluate the decisions he made about the war even though the commission will not report until nearly five months after Election Day.

In an interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" to be broadcast on Sunday, Mr. Bush also gave a vote of confidence to George J. Tenet, the director of central intelligence, saying his job is not in jeopardy "at all."

The unusual appearance by Mr. Bush on a Sunday morning news show marked the beginning of a new phase in his re-election campaign. NBC released excerpts from the interview on Saturday and showed parts of it on its evening news show.

Asked by Tim Russert, the host of "Meet the Press," whether the war was worth 530 American lives and thousands of injuries even though inspectors have found no stockpiles of banned weapons in Iraq, Mr. Bush said it was "essential that I explain this properly to the parents of those who lost their lives."

Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi leader, "was dangerous, and I'm not just going to leave him in power and trust a madman," Mr. Bush said.

Mr. Bush invoked the judgment of David A. Kay, the former chief weapons inspector in Iraq. In addition to concluding that Mr. Hussein did not have the weapons stockpiles the president had cited as a primary justification for the war, Mr. Kay told interviewers last month that Iraq might nonetheless have been more dangerous than the United States had judged.

"For the parents of the soldiers who have fallen who are listening, David Kay, the weapons inspector, came back and said, in many ways Iraq was more dangerous than we thought," Mr. Bush said.

Some Republican strategists have been especially concerned that the inability of the United States to find banned weapons in Iraq could undermine Mr. Bush's credibility and undercut his efforts to present himself as an experienced commander in chief in the fight against terrorism.

In the interview, Mr. Bush acknowledged that his handling of the war in Iraq was likely to be a central issue in the campaign. He said he had asked the intelligence commission to report back at the end of March 2005 because it was conducting a "big picture" examination of American intelligence needs and should be given time. But he said he knew some people might think he was stalling.

"Now, look, we are in a political season," he said. "There is going to be ample time for the American people to assess whether or not I made a ? good calls, whether I used good judgment, whether or not I made the right decision in removing Saddam Hussein from power, and I look forward to that debate."

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[ambrose]

[Galtoid]

Go Baby Go

[MasterCommander2]

should be a tough but good interview. can't wait to see it.

[EternalVigilance]

A majority of Americans get it.

I relish the prospect of taking on an anti-war Dem party in November.

Can you say, "McGovern"?

The parallels are real.

[ambrose]

The best part is these traitors think they can win. That will make their defeat even more devastating...

"Crush the Democrat traitors, see them driven before you, and hear the lamentations of the women!"

[expatpat]

Since the NYSlimes couldn't find anything for a gotcha, it must have gone pretty well.

[Galtoid]

And . . . you have got to love the fact that Kerry is viewed as the most "electable" among the Democrats. The Dem voters are so stupid that they do not realize how Rove & Co are going to destroy Kerry come October/November. The man is 1) Massachusetts liberal 2) a two time gigolo 3) a waffling idiot on issues such as gay marriage. The list goes on and on. Kerry should enjoy these next few days, because when we get through with him, he's gonna wish he never thought about running for president.

[Piranha]

McGovern also was a war hero. The parallels may be greater than many people know.

[CedarDave]

Finally they are beginning to speak out and respond to the RAT lies.

[ambrose]

Mike Dukakis served during the Korean War.

[txrangerette]

Believe it or not, on a different
thread they are savaging & mocking
Bush for not firing Tenet and for
saying the intel is pretty good.
They think he just lost the race
because of it.

How come you're not doom & gloom?

Hmmmmm?

[EternalVigilance]

I'm an optimist, I guess. :-)

[secretagent]

I'd like the Bush forces to attack Kerry's description of the average American Vietnam Vet as a war criminal.

[TASMANIANRED]

Bush ought to only do live interviews. Considering the way the Dims and their willing propagandists in the press, mis-quote, requote, cut and take out of context, they could have Bush edited into declaring war on Switzerland.

[EternalVigilance]

To give you a more complete answer:

I believe that we conservatives and Republicans have a much deeper bench than the RATs, and a much deeper well of talent.

If our leaders will just lead, and if all of us will just get off our duffs and fight, the Left doesn't stand a chance.

I still believe that the Truth is far more powerful than the lie, if good men and women just have the courage to tell it with a loud voice; with determination, and with persistence.

I've read the last page of the Book, and we win!

:-)

[txrangerette]

Yes, I see that.

Oh my, the Machiavellian theories
laced with lots of tinfoil, and
the nasty, cheap shots at him for
staying steady with Tenet! Ugly!!

I believe him as to why he does
what he does.

You know what the knuckleheaders
call me, don'tcha?

:o)

[RandallFlagg]

In addition to concluding that Mr. Hussein did not have the weapons stockpiles the president had cited as a primary justification for the war, Mr. Kay told interviewers last month that Iraq might nonetheless have been more dangerous than the United States had judged.

YAAAGHH!! These people are so desperate! Kay stated plainly that the search is not yet finished and that the weapons might still be found.
Yet another example of willfull omission by the NY Slimes.

[solo gringo]

Go Gettem George W Bush we trust you and back you 100% you are our leader.We respect your honesty and we will follow where ever you lead us just give us the sign.

[expatpat]

Yeah, Maureen Dowd certainly would if she got the chance again.