So you would rather have had Ari Fleischer say "Bush would veto the AWB renewal if it hits his desk," given the press something to demagogue, had the AWB pass and Bush's veto overridden?
Or would you rather have had Bush "lie" through a spokemen and get what we want.
It's really pretty simple: what's more important to you, dragging your knuckles, or winning?
Ah, yes, the old "it's okay to lie as long as it serves a good cause" reasoning. How low this forum has sunk.