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."
god bless you mr president..were with you till the end,
I did it finally earlier..(265 mod zot)..I just wanted you to see it..She managed to last since the middle of Dec.IIRC
Thanks for the ping and sorry I was a bit late to the "party". I love a good ZOT in the wee hours of the morning.
:"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?"
How can you expect to try and hide yourself here amongst the real Republicans with such blather as that.
Begone Troll.
"How did you like the jackbooted, fascists part?"
That was his undoing right there.
That phrase is a Liberal pavlovian response to anything Republican.
My brain malfunctioned and I failed to ping you. I was in the midst of discussing the Walters interview live on another thread and this pops up.
Troll zotted by mod..I finally pushed the button.
That's okay...better late than not at all. :-)
use this until you can get to yours.
<.img src="http://images8.fotki.com/v147/photos/2/215708/780411/bushbot-vi.gif?1105783879">
Remove the period after the <
Great post!! I agree 100%.....
#239 SniffThat be OZONE you smell!
Well, it looks like Einstein is dead now, but some
of his POSTS were kinda entertaining.Bye, ForeverTopaz.
He's dead, Jim!
![]()
He's dead, Jim.
(Click here or on the pic).
Post by the dear departed Topaz:
"Some of the stuff I have read on this site makes me embarrassed to be associated with you.You sound like a bunch of fascists, to be quite honest, I'm resigning from further participation here...I don't goose step very well.
Honest Abe must be rolling in his grave!"
Dec 26th post..must have gone unnoticed?!..so she added jack booted thugs!
Great post! God bless our Aussie allies!
There is no way in the world that McCain is in the Reagan tradition of conservatism. McCain is a Rino, and he has sided with the liberals on too many issues -- think of campaign finance reform, advice and consent on judges, etc.
So far as Iraq is concerned, I believe those who think Iraq was a mistake simply don't understand the war on terror. The justification for Iraq is clearly seen in the Joint Congressional Resolution of Sep 19,2001. That is ALSO the justification for the War on Terror.
Iraq is an absolutely essential step in the war on terror. Anyone who conceives of that war in terms of clintonian FBI action against "terrorists" simply hasn't yet understood who the enemy is, what his capabilities are, and how he has operated.
You are so wrong that you make me fear for the Republic.
LOL!!
Great certificate!
She is a troll..She posted to me so I looked up her posts..I have no idea how she lasted so long! The mod said ZOT after I finally pushed the abuse button.
"Jackbooted and fascist" was a big clue! LOL
She is only merely gone; she's really most sincerely gone.
Ding dong the _itch is gone.....etc...
I wanted to use my cute Bush Zot picture ..... Meek, do you have
that great graphic??Not sure I've seen that pic. Sounds like a goodie, though. Sorry.
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