I understand what you're saying about the Administration, but he cannot rebut anything.
He could caution the media to wait and let everything play out. That would be an alternative. But he cannot give the slightest edge to the side that says these people are innocent or these people are guilty. You think he gave the edge to that they're probably guilty. I don't. He focused on news stories, rather than on any actual "facts" about the case or incriminating or exculpatory material.
At that time, the news stories were overwhelmingly suggesting that they are guilty. He reacted to that. Yes, it was a reaction, not a planned counteractive. It was all based on the Media basis of "oh this is horrible oh this is awful the Marines slaughtered some innocent civilians waaaaahhhhh waaaaahhhhh!" He said the stories were troubling. IF guilty they would be punished.
The media stories are driving this. You want Bush to drive it his way. He cannot do that. Cannot.
But he sure has a tough row to hoe.......dealing with an opposition party and a press that are virtual traitors. Glad I don't have opponents this vicious..........
I don't care what the media stories have been so far, he must counter that with some kind of message. he doesn't have to stand up there and say "they are innoncent", but the tone of what he did say could have been more along the lines of what I wrote.