Bush regrets hurting U.S. diplomacy

rooters ^ | 1-13-04

[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."

[ohioWfan]

Since you probably won't go back and see which post I was referring to as 'drippingly sarcastic' I will repost it for you.

Now that I've had a good nap, I admit that I think President Bush is absolutely perfect, without flaw, has never made a mistake, nor has anyone in his administration..........ever.

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)

THIS is what I wanted you not to use as if it were serious.

I happen to personally believe that people who make the kind of charges that were made against me on this thread (you are the fourth), are the product of very weak men.

I will reserve that judgement against you since you recognized that you were out of line, while others did not.

You have badly misjudged me, but I appreciate your recognizing that.

(btw, that post of mine was not an attack on your character. It was an attack on your lack of creativity, and on your judgement. There's a difference).

[broadsword]

Look, I am trying real hard to not think you are an absolute wierdo. You are making that very difficult.

Please just drop it. Your English skills are good, but not nearly good enough to get that garbage past me.

This is my last post to you. Why don't you just drop it?

[ohioWfan]

Weirdo? Garbage? .........Yeah, you're a REAL nice one.

Consider it dropped.

[MEG33]

I pushed abuse on you because of the Nazi reference.

"I have only bashed you weird, worshipful, lonely, underwear-snifers, sieg-heilers and Koolaid-drinkers.

I think Bush is great.

I just think you are exceedingly WIERD!"

I don't like this one either..You need to grow up.

[Admin Moderator]

Knock off the personal insults.

[Awestruck]

again, wow. I'm sorry you're feeling abused around here, some people just can't take a little disagreement I guess.
see ya.

[ohioWfan]

I have engaged in civil discussions/disagreements with literally hundreds of freepers over the past four years.

Any time you'd like to discuss the value of a democratic Palestinian state for the well-being and safety of our valued ally and dear friend, Israel, or any other Bush policy with which you disagree, just let me know, and I'll be happy to debate it with you (unless it's one of the issues I also disagree with.......in which case we can be on the same side of the argument).

[Cicero]

The question is, why the hell is Bush going out and giving interviews to all his worst enemies?