Posted on 01/13/2005 5:47:28 PM PST by Indy Pendance
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President George W. Bush says he regrets sending the wrong impression of the United States by using phrases like "Bring 'em on" and "dead or alive" in his first term and has pledged to be more diplomatic.
In an interview with ABC's Barbara Walters to be broadcast on Friday, Bush said some of his past remarks were too blunt.
"'Bring it on,' was a little blunt," the president said in a transcript of the interview released on Thursday.
"I remember when I talked about Osama bin Laden, I said we're going to get him dead or alive. I guess it's not the most diplomatic of language," Bush said.
The president in July 2003 used the phrase "Bring 'em on" when speaking of insurgent attacks on U.S. forces in Iraq. The comment was widely interpreted as a challenge to the insurgents but Bush said his intent was to rally U.S. troops.
Days after the September 11, 2001, attacks, Bush said he wanted to catch Osama bin Laden "dead or alive," a phrase that reinforced the U.S. president's international image as a cowboy.
Bush said his wife, Laura, disapproved and "chewed me out right after that."
"So I do have to be cautious about, you know, conveying thoughts in a way maybe that doesn't send wrong impressions about our country," he said.
Asked about bin Laden, who remains at large, Bush reiterated his vow to "bring him to justice."
Bush's expressions of regret over his use of language contrasted with his comments at a news conference in April 2004, when he struggled for an answer to a reporter who asked him to name his biggest mistake since the September 11 attacks.
In another mea culpa, the president said he felt his administration had done a poor job bolstering its image in the Muslim world.
"Our public diplomacy efforts aren't ... very robust, and aren't very good, compared to the public diplomacy efforts of those who would like to spread hatred and ... and vilify the United States," Bush said.
But he said he thought U.S. efforts to aid victims of the December 26 Indian Ocean tsunami would help improve Washington's image abroad.
Turning to domestic politics, Bush played down expectations that his brother Jeb, who is governor of Florida, would someday run for president.
"I don't think he's interested in running," the president said.
In a separate interview in USA Today, Bush said he was concerned about the Education Department's decision to pay conservative commentator Armstrong Williams to promote his "No Child Left Behind" law, which sets accountability standards for U.S. public schools.
He said he wanted to prevent another such incident.
"There needs to be a clear distinction between journalism and advocacy," Bush said. "All of us, the Cabinet, needs to take a good look and make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen again."
I really did like him, I remember, my husband and I both commented we could pull him in from a TN station (we're in WI) at night on the radio, it was probably mid 2003, right after that time, about mid-late 2003, is when he really went nutziod, we stopped listening as a regulars.
Making tax cuts permanent. Changing the tax code altogether. Tort Reform. Asbestos Reform. Drilling in ANWR. Energy Bill. Social Security Reform. Continuing to win WOT. Reducing deficit in half in 4 years. Bringing democracy to Iraq and Palestine. Appointing conservative jurists. If this is moving left, count me in as a lefty.
OTOH, if he wants to talk about how he can talk better, communicate better, not be so blunt, go right ahead. He says that but he is who he is and so nothing actually happens. It doesn't change one iota any policy position this administration takes. If anyone wants to get bent out of shape over this, I think they're just reaching for faults and I think just looking for excuses not to like our President.
What a bunch of self-absorbed nutjobs....people on that board are pretty delusional.
Honestly, how can you pr when the pr machine is out to get you? It's going to take time. No one said the battle for conservatives would be easy. Some here think someone can walk in and just start making changes willy nilly. Well, unless you vote for me as dictator, we have this thing called the constitution. It was specifically written to avoid a dictatorship. Remember the dems had 60+ years to advance their socalist agenda. We've only been doing it for 2 years. But, you can always vote for me as supreme ruler. I'll make things right in one year. No IRS, no dept. of ed, no income tax, etc, but for that one year, you have to submit to my will. OK?
Bump
Agreed. After 8 years of slick billy, I'm glad Bushanglaise is spoken in the Whitehouse.
I dated a lib chick for a while, and got a REAL close look at what irked her friends....most of which took things like this directly to their soul because they were so destroyed that such an "idiot" could have become their president.
Meanwhile, I would show them the website on how to calculate how much of a conservative tax cut they were being forced to accept. Oh my! Fingernails on chalkboard to them!
So I can recite countless issues off the top of my head where Bush did EXACTLY what I'd do (like the ABM or Kyoto treaty, Afghanistan for ex.) and I can count on one hand things that I disagree with (immigration, etc.)
People seem to forget that attacking Afghanistan, for example, was not a foregone conclusion. Had Algore been there, Tora Bora mighta got some cruise missiles and that'd be it in the mideast.....period.
When I think of where we COULD HAVE BEEN, I accept Bushspeak and tripping over the press as bugs on the windshield!
Did you notice the name of the forum: The Middle East and Persian Gulf Defence Forum.
Those typed "pauses" are called ellipses, and are standard items used to indicate part of the quoted person's remarks have been omitted. They can be used legitimately to shorten a lengthy quote to include only relevant information. But more often with our leftist press, they are used to distort and make the quote say what they want it to say.
Maybe you should read some of the other posts before assuming that what Rooters is saying is 100% sure and not something they're distorting for their own political agenda.
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I think I am forming my opinions from a few things other than Bush possibly back peddleing to appear more diplomatic. Turning the Tsunami relief back over to the UN was not exactly high on my list either. I would still consider Bush to better than Kerry but there is certain crap I don't have to like and I don't give a hoot who the Prez. is. You want to stick your nose up his A** and think the man is perfect, you go right ahead, I will continue to form my opinions based on what I see and not that a man will be perfect because he is a Republican.
EXACTAMUNDO!
Whatever he said, the press will try to crucify him with it.
And if Bush opened his mouth, he probably spoke a Bushism. So what?
If he changes policy tomorrow, let me know. If he has his foot in his mouth again, I'll be busy with something else!
Thank you.
My computer seems to be having trouble accessing it at the moment but I'm pinging myself to remember to check it out.
Too many are willing to just sit back and say, "the MSM is against us so there is nothing we can do". I don't accept that. As the President said in this article, he has given the media more than enough by sticking his foot in his mouth. There is a time for taking a hard stance and a time for being soft. The President tends to take a hard stance on too many things and it turns people off where they won't listen to what you have to say. If you don't believe me, try it in a business meeting. If someone already agrees with you, fine. If not, it will just make your job harder.
I just watched that video. I wonder if Michael Moore helped them produce it.
Assuming that no man is perfect, is it fair to say that any President would fall under your reproach for something at some point?
If so, is it still possible for someone to be completely happy with an imperfect man's overall imperfect job without being told that have their nose stuck up that imperfect man's A**?
Assuming that no man is perfect, is it fair to say that any President would fall under your reproach for something at some point?
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I would say that was fair, since I am not a blind, brainwashed ,robot and am more than entitled to my opinions. If you find that offensive than get over it and move on to more important things.
lol
Ok. Moving on then: How about Point #2?
Assuming this is accurate and taken in context, you are happy with this?
ShadowDancer as president: I should be wreckless and convey thoughts that send the wrong impression about our country.
How about Point #2?
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I would say that is your call, cause I don't care where your nose is at. I just know mine ain't goin there for no one.
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