Sunday Morning Talk Show Thread 8 Feb 2004 (Pres Bush on MTP)

Various big media television networks ^ | 8 Feb 2004 | Various Self-Serving Politicians and Big Media Screaming Faces

[Alas Babylon!]

The Talk Shows

Sunday, February 8th, 2004

Guests to be interviewed today on major television talk shows:

FOX NEWS SUNDAY (Fox Network): Sens. John Edwards (D-NC) and Pat Roberts (R-KS); and Rep. Porter J. Goss (R-FL).

MEET THE PRESS (NBC): President George W. Bush.

Transcript of Russert/Bush interview

FACE THE NATION (CBS): Former Vermont governor Howard Dean (D).

THIS WEEK (ABC): Senator John Edwards (D-NC), former Clinton chief of staff John D. Podesta and Republican pollster Bill McInturff.

LATE EDITION (CNN) : Sens. John W. Warner (R-VA) and Carl M. Levin (D-MI); retired Army Gen. Wesley K. Clark; Former Vermont governor Howard Dean; former Carter national security adviser Zbigniew Brzezinski; and former Reagan deputy chief of staff Michael K. Deaver.

Transcript of Russert/Bush interview

[chiller]

GWB; no doubt in my mind that Saddam was a threat...potential to have terrorist networks get weapons.

[Amelia]

Response to those who say brought country to war under false pretences?

Fully expected to find WMD based on analysis over the years from our intelligence & that of other countries.

Made decision to take case to international community. Looked at intelligence; he had used WMD, funding suicide bombers & terrorist groups.

Pres. expected there to be stockpiles of weapons. Kay found capacity to produce...there are theories as to where weapons went (destroyed, hidden, to another country).

Kay did report *capacity* was there. Saddam dangerous with weapons or ability to produce. Went to international community. Can't stand by & wait for the madman.

Russert says adm. said there was no doubt; we know where the weapons are, urgent immediate threat. Pres. said he called it a "grave & gathering threat" but wasn't going to argue semantics. No doubt he was a threat - everyone thought he had weapons, he had capacity.

Important for everyone to understand context in which decision to go to war was made. President's most solemn responsibility is to protect the USA. Saddam was a threat & we couldn't trust his goodwill.

[mombonn]

"Containment doesn't work with a man who's a madman." Go, Mr President!

[RandallFlagg]

We can't wait for it to become imminent.
It's too late when it's imminent.

BINGO!!!

[Peach]

I don't think President Bush is at his best. He's rather hesitant at times, but straightforward - looking Russert in the eye and engaged.

[TomGuy]

Tim's body language speaks volumes.

[NautiNurse]

Chris Wallace: Senator Edwards, why aren't trial attorneys considered a special interest group?

Edwards: I don't discriminate against attorneys.

[dawn53]

It's not on here yet, but the looking in the eye is something the President does and none of the Dems do. I've noticed that they make eye contact then look away.

[chiller]

GWB; I went to congress...we all had same info...we all made same judgment.

[arasina]

Good morning, Peach. I just started reading this thread and want to commend you for maintaining the integrity of the thread by pointing out a "spoiler."

[RandallFlagg]

Funny, that's the clip The Today Show played and I heard the answer.

It was not dodged.

Any chance that you could possibly post a sode-by-side of this. It'll make for some good ammo.

[dawn53]

He looks like Gollum, LOL!

[Gracey]

Check the schedule for MSNBC. I saw that it will be replayed on there sometime today. ... that's the Tim Russert Interwiew with W.

[TomGuy]

[Carolinamom]

Strange "answer" by Edwards.

[windchime]

You must have stopped watching MtP, too. LOL Had to look it up and would have been an hour late based on the last time I watched it.

[Amelia]

Russert: Can you launch a pre-emptive war without ironclad info?

President: No such thing as ironclad info. Gotta use what you have. Congress saw same info President had; same info Clinton had had...they all made the judgement Saddam had to be removed.

Went to U.N. and told them, here's what we know now, you need to act. There were dozens of resolutions Saddam was flouting. 1441 said do this or serious consequences. Not just the US, the world thought he should be disarmed. If we say there should be serious consequences and do nothing, that leads to adverse consequenses. Need to say what we'll do & follow thru. [Amelia note: same as in parenting...]

[chiller]

GWB; UN security council was unanimous...we must back up our words with actions or look weak (paraphrase)...consequences in the region happeing, as in Liba.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Bush is a politician, nothing more. Bill Clinton at heart was more of a conservative.

Now that is a real DOOZY!!!

[Carolinamom]

Edwards says he isn't sure that he and the Intelligence Committee got the same info that the President had.