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 it isn't realistic. It's the Free Republic version of the Stepford Wives mentality.
I respect President Bush more than I have ever respected anyone in my life.........other than my husband, who respects and admires the President as much as I do.
There is good fun in some of the comments a lot of us make about him, but I have such a deep respect for him as my brother in Christ and a strong leader whom God has chosen to lead us through difficult days, that I always keep the comments in perspective, and am as moral as anyone on this forum.
I pray daily for this man and his family (I understand completely the role of First Lady, and find your accusations that I don't silly), and I respect Laura deeply as well.
I believe history will judge him, flaws and all, as one of the greatest President's we have had. I don't believe he is perfect. I disagree with him on a number of issues, but I respect his integrity, his political savvy, and his strength of character.
I don't give a rip what you think Mr, Paulson, because you are so hopelessly mired in yourself, and your anger that you can't see straight. I truly feel sorry for men like you who only feel big when they try to make others feel small.
I will not reply to any more of your growing mountain of ridiculous, mindless insults because your opinion means absolutely nothing to me.
I do care about you in that you are a child of God, and are loved by Him, and I wish you the happiness that you don't appear to have based on your angry, hate-filled, self-absorbed comments here.
I truly pray that you find the peace you lack.
somebody needs a nap.
I have no lack of peace.
Just a lack of respect for jumpsuit droolers, pontificating on marriage to folks they don't know.
And a lack of appreciation for him relenting on his 'bring it on' and 'dead or alive' statments made publicly and attribution of the changes to the influence of a NON elected librarian.
got it?
If you prayed for him last term, and he said what he said, and you applauded it then, you SHOULD be disappointed in Laura for encouraging the man you so 'honor' to back down and relent over his statements of yesteryear.
Rest assured the military folks who hear this, are non-plussed by the apparent 'change of rhetoric'... and heart. Out of the abundance of his heart, his mouth speaks.
I didn't vote for the librarian. I voted for the 'cowboy'.
You better pray for his spine, so that some woman in his life, like mommie and/or laura, and/or his daughters, don't persuade him to 'change what he said' again, and nominate more 'moderate' abortion rights judge, to the supreme court.
bye now.
again
"I will not reply"
Describing an old poster out west is not a foreign policy decision.
THAT was a thought? Coulda fooled me.
I agree with everything he has ever said and done, and I stand entranced at his feet, and would do whatever he told me to do, even if it were illegal.
Thanks guys, for helping me realize that.
I'll be grateful the rest of my life that you helped me turn my life around.
You're swell.
Bye, now. I'm going to watch 20/20 with reverent worship. :o)
Thanks for reminding me to watch..has not used "regret" yet.
I'm listening..Regret was not used..he said "a bit blunt",laughed about Laura's admonitions.
I think we still have W..no fear!
Weak-kneed condescendence! Is Bush a President/Leader or is he a Duplicitious Diplomat?
Egads!
Weak-kneed condescendence! Is Bush a President/Leader or is he a Duplicitious Diplomat?
Egads!
..much todo about nothing...the whole thing lasted 30sec and he never apologized....
PIFFLE..I'm listening.
Looks like the infamous nervous nellies on FR were wrong once again.
Good analysis, Fred
thanks, it's good to hear someone thinks I'm on the right track...
Gee what a surprise, eh?
He didn't apologize. He didn't say he regretted anything.
Bawbwah was annoying as always, but the President and First Lady were straightforward and charming.
The funny thing about character that the 'infamous nervous nellies' don't seem to understand, is that it doesn't appear and reappear on a whim.
The President HAS character, and that character and integrity will remain because he is grounded in his faith, and with his family.
I don't think the nervous nellies have a clue about who this man is, or why so many of us deeply admire him.
Too bad. These are remarkable times we are living in, and they're missing the whole thing.........
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