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."
Of course our propaganda isn't as good as the terrorists'. They have all the major media outlets.
#131
We did NOT elect Laura the librarian to run foreign policy, or even advise on it. Maybe YOU did, but then, you are not too bright.
He did stop using the term 'infinite justice' in deference to the muslim pukes, so I wouldn't put it past him to back down AGAIN. Wouldn't want to offend the 'moderate' throat slitters now would we?
Apologizing for saying 'dead or a live' is disgusting beyond belief... and very very disheartening to the men who have been trying to run obl down, under those terms. If indeed he has backed down, as is reported here.
Since my great grandkids come to ME for marital advice, not some wet behind the ears soccer mommie like you... I will ignore your pathetic attempt at offering marital counseling unsolicited to happily married couples twice your age.
bye now.
I don't understand some of the reactions here. He's the president and he's talking nice as a gesture on the beginning of his new term. These aren't comments about policy but his own manner of speaking. Not a thing in this is anything but the same nice talk all politicians do, and I'm sure W would like an easier go with other countries. So he says "Yeah, yeah, I shot my mouth off, whatever". I hardly think this is some tragedy, especially since we aren't seeing the comments in context.
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1319680/posts
No regrets over Iraq: Bush
www.news.com.au ^ | 13 January 2005.
Feel better?
This can't be true. If it is then will be seen as a sign of weakness by Muslims.
Oh, for cripes sake!
OK. Which retreaded ZOT or Jihadi-multiple-manifestation are you?
Cobra ain't gonna get in this fight. I'm gettin' too old and need some sack time.
You're a smarter man than I, Gunga Din!
There is a prevailing view here that GW can do or so nothing wrong. He is completely infallible. Is that realistic?
"Watch his behavior, appointments, etc. and consider the bias of the article before you overreact to this. He's pushing conservatism and strength with his actions, and that's what counts.......not what he said to Bawbwah as written by Reuters, IMO."
Absolutely agree.
My wife, Karen and I are Anglophiles, and used to visit the UK and OZ on a frequent basis.
I'm sure BahbwaWaWa was all nipply.
"Light 'em up, George!"
I don't know why the President feels he has to be conciliatory, perhaps to lull the enemy, MSM included, into a false sense of security?
This is like rewriting Dirty Harry's famous line to
"Excuse me, do you feel lucky, young man?"
I smell a 1938-Munich-sellout down the road! Perhaps I'm too suspicious, but it sure is starting too look like it, starting with his post-election talk of a "palestinian state."
From the ABC article:
"I watch what I say. … I said some things in the first term that were probably a little blunt. 'Bring it on' was a little blunt. I was really speaking to our troops, but it came out and had a different connotation, different meanings for others," he told Walters.
Bush used the phrase in July 2003 to say U.S. troops would not be scared off by Iraqi insurgents' attacks. During the presidential election campaign, his rival, Democratic Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, used the line to criticize administration policy. "If the White House wants to make this election about national security, I have three words they understand: 'Bring, it, on!' "
More recently, guerrillas in Iraq have used the president's words in a propaganda video narrated in English, according to the Reuters news agency. The narrator of the video says, "George W. Bush, you have asked us to 'bring it on.' And so help me, [we will ] like you never expected. Do you have another challenge?" The video then shows explosions around a U.S. military vehicle."
THIS SAYS IT ALL...THE LIBERAL MEDIA, JOHN KERRY AND THE TERRORISTS ARE THE ONES WHO PROPAGANDIZED THE STATEMENT: "Bring it on"..Bush has just reminded folks of that fact...LOL!
Give me a break, W!!
I would bet it was taken at least somewhat out of context.
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