Emotional elder Bush attacks son's critics

Reuters ^ | 3/30/2004 | staff

[wjersey]

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (Reuters) - An emotional former President George H.W. Bush Tuesday defended his son's Iraq war and lashed out at White House critics.

It is "deeply offensive and contemptible" to hear "elites and intellectuals on the campaign trail" dismiss progress in Iraq since last year's overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the elder Bush said in a speech to the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association annual convention.

"There is something ignorant in the way they dismiss the overthrow of a brutal dictator and the sowing of the seeds of basic human freedom in that troubled part of the world," he said.

The former president appeared to fight back tears as he complained about media coverage of the younger Bush that he called "something short of fair and balanced."

"It hurts an awful lot more when it's your son that is being criticized than when they used to get all over my case," said Bush, who has often complained about media coverage of both Bush presidencies.

Iraq has been torn by violence and instability since a U.S.-led invasion last year toppled Saddam in the hunt for his alleged weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons have been found but the Bush administration says progress toward a stable democracy is being made.

The former president, who waged the first Gulf War against Saddam in 1991, described progress in Iraq as "a miracle."

"Iraq is moving forward in hope and not sliding back into despair and terrorism," he said.

Some critics of the war say the White House focused resources on Iraq instead of the hunt for Osama bin Laden, whom Washington blames for the Sept. 11 attacks.

[Howlin]

[EllaMinnow]

Who's that hideous pervert sitting on the other side of Barbara?

[GOP_Lady]

The Bushes -- nothing but GRACE and CLASS!

[votelife]

one of my favortie picutres from Bush's presidency! BTTT

[Howlin]

You mean this guy?

[Old Grumpy]

I can understand exactly how he feels and concur with all he says.

[Peach]

A close, beautiful family. Unlike the national dysfunctional disgrace we called the Clinton Family.

[barker]

Good for Poppy. Now where's Babs?

Poppy is going sky diving on his 80th birthday. Kerry is going to be taking a nose dive

[breakem]

Not fair, Clinton's father MAY have been pres, he just doesn't know who his father was.

[jwalsh07]

Iraq has been torn by violence and instability since a U.S.-led invasion last year toppled Saddam in the hunt for his alleged weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons have been found but the Bush administration says progress toward a stable democracy is being made.

The reporter is too stupid to understand that this editorial garbage is exactly what President Bush is talking about.

[Reagan Man]

George H.W. Bush is an honorable man and a great American.

He has kept himself away from the political scene for years, out of respect for the office of the President. That's more then I can say for the worthless Jimmah Carter and Bill Clinton. Neither man has any respect for the office of the President and neither man knows when to keep his trap shut.

[EllaMinnow]

LoL! Yep - that's him.

Officer, arrest that man for impersonating a president!

[Reagan Man]

YES!

[yankeedame]

Call me a sentimental old foo-foo, but this pictures puts a lump in my throat.

"And when I die
and when I'm gone,
there'll be one child born in this world
to carry on, to carry on..."

[Blue Scourge]

Amazing how the author of this piece can do more to prove the Sr. Bush's point than even the Former President could do.

I have alot of respect for Bush Sr., he served his country honorably and has earned it.

[duckbutt]

Oh my! I'll never hear those words sung again without thinking of that picture! Thank you!

[mombonn]

You're the best! Those pics of the arkanbillies are without compare!

[Howlin]

I love that song.......and it sure fits.

[Spruce]

The editorializing and bias just drip from this 'article'. I do believe reuters is getting worse, if that was possible.