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."
Pinging you to the live thread..
all in all a pretty good interview, although Babs tried her best to get Dubya...I just don't understand what all this fretting was about...
Bawbwah tried as always to 'get him' but as always, failed.
#239 Sniff
see, don't you feel better now?
Quoting your post:"How can you be a Republican when you are afraid to confront an administration that has lied (poorly), then insulted our collective intelligence by trying to lie it's way out of every mess it has made...all the while blaming others?
When did the Republican Party become the safe haven of fawning sycophants (and drunken sluts like Ann Coulterand pecksniffian boors like Limbaugh?)This isn't the Republican Party that I belong to...and it is way past due for those of us who have watched from the sidelines, as our great Party has been hijacked by a bunch of jack-booted thugs, who resemble nothing so much as disgusting fascists, to finally say "ENOUGH!"
Saving this one..for future reference..Fascists?Jackbooted thugs?LOL
I expect your stay here to be brief..
Very well organized DU talking points, doncha think?
Yes.
You aren't a Republican, but I give you an 8 for lasting this long.
LOL
Remember, 1-800-BUSH-WON
I have called for consultation..I hate to see this go unchallenged!
I came from the interview thread. What a maroon. Like they're a Republican. You can almost hear the spittle hitting the monitor as they typed.
This one's a classic!
Meek, do you have that great graphic??
#239 might be of interest ;)
I agree with you on everything you posted. That said, I think that the President expressed some regret for some "straight talking" and lets face it, that isn't always the best way to go in international politics. Its just too easy for some group to take your actual words and spin it to fit their agenda. Teddy Roosevelt(a fine republican) said it best; "Speak softly and carry a big stick"
Must of gotten bored in stealth mode..This #239 is soooo transparent.
Post #139 by Forever Topaz
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!
I have to ask this, I really do...as an old-fashioned Reagan Republican(God Bless his memory, and the way he held the World in the palm of his hand!)..do you really think Bush has been a good example of American government? I would have preferred McCain in 2000, and everything that has happened since has only confirmed my opinion that he would have been the better choice!!
Can we talk?...or are all of you so deathly afraid to say anything that remotely resembles criticism of this administration that you have lost your "stones'? Iraq is a fiasco, our children are dying there..and for what? No WMD to be found, but almost two thousand Americans dead, not to mention the innocent Iraqis who have been killed, you know, those people whom we were going to "Liberate".
This President, and this administration has sullied this country's good name worldwide, and has landed us in debt up to and including the third generation...how can you possibly ne a Republican and approve of the profligate spendinf that is going on? how can you be a Republican as you watch the size of Governement expand exponentially? How can you be a Republican when you are afraid to confront an administration that has lied (poorly), then insulted our collective intelligence by trying to lie it's way out of every mess it has made...all the while blaming others?When did the Republican Party become the safe haven of fawning sycophants (and drunken sluts like Ann Coulterand pecksniffian boors like Limbaugh?)This isn't the Republican Party that I belong to...and it is way past due for those of us who have watched from the sidelines, as our great Party has been hijacked by a bunch of jack-booted thugs, who resemble nothing so much as disgusting fascists, to finally say "ENOUGH!"
#239..We need the VKs to do their magic!
No, do you really think it's a troll? /s
#239..check this out...Thinks the magic words can hide the troll.
It starts off with the magic words ..then falls off the cliff with jack booted thugs..LOL
I dare not show this to Coulter fans..It could get ugly. ;)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.