Bush Speeches Avoid Setbacks, Look Ahead

The Washington Post ^ | 11/4/2003 | Mike Allen

[Utah Girl]

President Bush on Monday blamed the ongoing guerrilla attacks in Iraq on terrorists trying to intimidate the United States, and he vowed to "never run" from the mounting chaos and casualties.

Bush gave two speeches in Alabama and made no specific reference to the helicopter downing on Sunday that killed 16 soldiers, the single deadliest attack against U.S. troops in Iraq. A senior aide said the president kept his remarks broad to "reflect reality without getting bogged down in one day's headlines."

With polls showing a growing number of voters questioning the human and monetary costs of the occupation, Bush portrayed his ultimate goal in Iraq as preventing terrorist attacks in the United States. "A free and peaceful Iraq will make it more likely that our children and grandchildren will be able to grow up without the horrors of September the 11th," he said.

Bush ratcheted up his vow to "finish what we have begun," as the White House seeks to avoid further erosion of support among Iraqi people, some of whom have been shown on worldwide television gloating over attacks on U.S. forces.

[Utah Girl]

The headline is just a bit misleading, but what the heck.