President Bush flanked by first lady Laura Bush and Barbara Walters at the White House. (ABC News)
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."
That's never happened, ever.
I agree.
Much ado about nothing. Slow news day.
" yeah lets do away with one of the big things that made George W. so endearing. His ability to not be PC."
Exactly.
Otherwise ,we might as well have Trent Lott or other generic, bland, please,please love me Republicans as POTUS.
President Bush flanked by first lady Laura Bush and Barbara Walters at the White House. (ABC News)
Yes. It's Reuters.
Frankly, I don't know why you are speaking to me about this. I am quite intelligent enough not to need my hand held after reading a headline. I did read the body of the article. I am bothered by what he said, in the body of it. Did you read past the headline or are you just so accoustomed to backing his every move that you yourself couldn't see past it?
We'll see tomorrow.
Oh, GLORY, GLORY, Hallelujah!!!!! President Bush finally admitted he made a mistake!!!! Yeehaw!! The liberals can all dance in the street, and maybe we can stop hearing that stupid question at news conferences, now!!!
As if.
It wasn't particularly diplomatic, but it was awesome!
(I'm sure he meant it, and still does.....)
Watch his behavior, appointments, etc. and consider the bias of the article before you overreact to this. He's pushing conservatism and strength with his actions, and that's what counts.......not what he said to Bawbwah as written by Reuters, IMO.
Dog is RIGHT. The headline is crap. They twisted this as hard as they possibly could. He said BEFORE that Laura chewed him out for the Osama thing, thus "regret." Then he says, "Our propaganda is not as good as the Islamists." Which they contrue as "Bush hurt our propaganda."
CRAP.
To the extent that they apply to you is your call. I must have really offended you or hit a nerve in order for you to type out your last question.
Whether he regrets saying that or not, I think he’s going to regret saying that he regrets it.
I had no problem with the 'dead or alive' comment. Why would I gave a rat's ass what his wife thought about it?
I'd agree with that. When Liberal institutions, fanatical Islamists and oppressive regimes control the very air breathed and the words read it is a near impossible task to combat the propaganda UNTIL Freedom begins to take root.
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.
He may be right. Oh, we'll never hear about it. Make no mistake that the government will suddenly change their attitude. Do not expect to see the population shouting they love the U.S. on camera. The positive effects would be felt among the general population, give them pause, and my guess change a few hearts. People we'll never know that will impact their own population in their daily lives.
No where (so far) do I see an admittance the President feels he, himself, hurt U.S. policy. He does admit some of his langauge wasn't diplomatic. Which is true, one of the reasons I love him.
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.
Sounds as though Laura made a point in a private discussion that caused him pause. I would say he respects his wife, and trusted her instincts on the particular issue.
I personally had no trouble with the language. In the end, G.W.B. is who he is. Accept him, or don't. If his conscience demands he temper these statements, I'm not going to say he shouldn't follow that Voice. But, I also know this is who the man is. He'll continue to have moments when he "shoots straight". I'll cherish those moments as they arise. In a 'diplomatic world' those moments of honesty are like fresh air.
Assuming this is accurate and taken in context, you are happy with this?
Of course not. It was the truth. President Bush shouldn't feel badly about that at all.
Look, if we cater to the European ideal of diplomacy and "self-defense" then we will lose this war, and one day it will be an American city disappearing in a mushroom cloud.
Why do you think he should have to couch his remarks at all when speaking about terrorists that killed our citizens on our soil? Why should he have to back pedal at all on any of that? Maybe I'm reading you wrong and you don't think anything here might be written as said. If so, we can wait until tomorrow to find out.
President Bush don't worry I know your doing your best, I can only imagine how hard this has to be when you have Socialist Democrats who hate America spew anti-American propaganda 24-7 on TV, Radio, News Papers and movies.
Please correct me if you think I'm wrong, but IMO, the factual reference to what Laura said has bearing on your comment.
(btw, I don't care if you care about what she said........you a bit defensive tonight?).
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