Replies

Q Mr. President, I'd like to follow up on a couple of these questions that have been asked. One of the biggest criticisms of you is that whether it's WMD in Iraq, postwar planning in Iraq, or even the question of whether this administration did enough to ward off 9/11, you never admit a mistake. Is that a fair criticism? And do you believe there were any errors in judgment that you made related to any of those topics I brought up?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I think, as I mentioned, it's -- the country wasn't on war footing, and yet we're at war. And that's just a reality, Dave. I mean, that's -- that was the situation that existed prior to 9/11, because the truth of the matter is, most in the country never felt that we'd be vulnerable to an attack such as the one that Osama bin Laden unleashed on us. We knew he had designs on us, we knew he hated us. But there was a -- nobody in our government, at least, and I don't think the prior government, could envision flying airplanes into buildings on such a massive scale.

The people know where I stand. I mean, in terms of Iraq, I was very clear about what I believed. And, of course, I want to know why we haven't found a weapon yet. But I still know Saddam Hussein was a threat, and the world is better off without Saddam Hussein. I don't think anybody can -- maybe people can argue that. I know the Iraqi people don't believe that, that they're better off with Saddam Hussein -- would be better off with Saddam Hussein in power. I also know that there's an historic opportunity here to change the world. And it's very important for the loved ones of our troops to understand that the mission is an important, vital mission for the security of America and for the ability to change the world for the better.

John King, I think.

John.

Q Thank you, Mr. President. Two weeks ago, a former counterterrorism official at the NSC, Richard Clarke, offered an unequivocal apology to the American people for failing them prior to 9/11. Do you believe the American people deserve a similar apology from you, and would you be prepared to give them one?

THE PRESIDENT: Look, I can understand why people in my administration anguished over the fact that people lost their life. I feel the same way. I mean, I'm sick when I think about the death that took place on that day. And as I mentioned, I've met with a lot of family members and I do the best I do to console them about the loss of their loved one. As I mentioned, I oftentimes think about what I could have done differently. I can assure the American people that had we had any inkling that this was going to happen, we would have done everything in our power to stop the attack.

Here's what I feel about that. The person responsible for the attacks was Osama bin Laden. That's who's responsible for killing Americans. And that's why we will stay on the offense until we bring people to justice.

Thanks, those are the questions to which I was referring. I know I've said this before, but as a reporter - albeit for a small town newspaper - I make every effort to exhibit only objectivity and absolutely no bias in anything I write. It just amazes me that these guys aspire to no such ethical standard.

Kerry on the Aug. 6, PBD:

Later, during a brief exchange with a reporter as he visited a campus bookstore, Kerry said he had read the Aug. 6, 2001, Presidential Daily Brief that indicated Al Qaeda was active in the United States, but he had no comment other than to say "it deserves to be digested."

Gues that PDB left a bad taste in Kerry's mouth.

One other comment on Bush's press conference:

I thought it was brilliant in that it went right over the heads of the press corps and straight to the American people. The only thing I would have added would have been something along these lines:

"As our country wages this war, many ordinary citizens have asked me what sacrifice they can make to further our cause. I remind them it's important that, as much as possible, they continue their daily endeavors amid threat warnings and inevitable day-to-day setbacks---because a vibrant economy is vital to our continued success. Americans must remain resolute and recognize that our generation has a historic responsibility to rid the world of these threats to democratic and free societies. Do not become complacent. Never forget. Remember the day this war started. Remember and pray for all those who have joined the battle and pay them respect by remaining resolute in defeating America's enemies. "

Something like that.