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."
blantant lie...Jeb IS going to run. Mark my words.
Wouldn't want to piss off the URPeans..
They might need us to save their asses again like in WWI and WWII and the Cold War....
Not a word about the hemorrhaging southern U.S. border.. Hmmm..
Might make Vincenty Fox.. angry as a democrat grand standing about VICTIMS RIGHTS..
You know is starting to look like the tennis ball dont fall to far from the tree.. as I wryly say with a Yogi Berra attitude..
We'll get those when Mark Sanford is elected in 2008.
I really don't think Jeb will run. Maybe in '12 or '16, but not in '08. Even RFK waited a term after his brother before running.
yes, 2012 the earliest. but he will run eventually
Personally,I LIKE "W's"approach(diplomacy)!"Bring Em' On"and"Dead Or Alive"gets it done for me!!
George Bush, a good president, has serious problems with choosing the correct phrase, and at his level of responsibility that is a critical shortcoming. I'm glad to hear that he recognizes it as such.
But don't assume that everyone that sees things different from you is an ass kisser.
****
I'll assume whatever I want. But thanks for the advice on how you think I should think, not that I will take it.
And hey, he doesn't have to talk the talk, just walk the walk. I don't see him apologizing for exterminating all the vermin we've been exterminating lately. Time will tell and I assume there is a calculated reason for bringing this up.
Published 2089 - "An Analysis of the Bush #43 Era."
will include the paragraphs: "Even his staunchest supporters often times misunderestimated this Texan, George Bush. In part because of his self-deprecating and humble oratory. Uncounted thousands of his adversaries, propagandists and protaganists at home and abroad- were never able to convert this cowboy into a manipulative chicken counter. He was rigid in his principles, a study in tenacity...... and it drove his critics insane."
Following his successful second term, George Bush was hailed internationally, by the World's populace, (never by the World's leaders or news organs), as the most effective proponent of democracy and freedom the World has ever known.
Yeah... phrases like "you're either on our side or on the side of the terrorists".... "the U.S. will make no distinction between terrorists and those who support terrorism." "the U.S. will treat those who support terrorism just like the terroists".
Big statements (phrases) that energize everybody but aren't going to be a reality.
ROFLOL!!!
I can hardly comment about your post, because it's so hilarious and old codgery and wrong that I can't stop laughing (and I'm not all that young and I am rather bright, sweetie).
Someone of your advanced years should be solid enough and content enough not to be 'disgusted' by a REUTERS article about a few words that you don't even know yet are accurate. An old man like you should have a better grasp of what's important, and reserve 'disgust' for things that actually matter.
But then again, if you assume the worst because you're a cranky old man, I guess it makes sense that you'd get upset over this silliness.
I guess the destruction of the Taliban, the destruction of the Baathist party, the death of Saddam's boys and emprisonment of Saddam, not to mention the freedom of 50,000,000 people means nothing to these malcontents.
I laugh hysterically when I see keyboard commanders say that our Commander in Chief has no courage.
Even if he DID say he 'regrets' saying those things (which I doubt he did), what he has DONE is what counts.
And, IMO, historically speaking, what he has done through his courage is nothing short of astounding.
(I'm still laughing that anyone thinks he's HENPECKED! LOL!)
Welcome to Free Republic, newbie.
LOL! My mom would be proud!
Can you imagine how W feels though!???! Think of all the hatred directed at him from the entire world every day! FR taint nuthin!
Just now reading this thread again this morning! Yikes. Looks like Wfan has been exceedingly cordial to the ruffians as well!
Well, "It takes a gentleman (or lady) to suffer ignorance and smile."
There is a difference between regret and mistake.
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