Bush plans series of speech on war, terrorism

Associated Press ^ | Aug. 30, 2006 | Associated Press

[Dubya]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — President Bush is kicking off another series of speeches to counter opposition to the war in Iraq, impatience with the rising U.S. death toll and anxiety about possible terrorist attacks. ADVERTISEMENT

Bush delivers the first speech Thursday to the annual American Legion convention in Salt Lake City. The appearances will continue through the fifth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks and culminate on Sept. 19 when Bush addresses the U.N. Security Council.

It is the third time in less than a year that Bush has made a series of speeches on Iraq and terrorism. They come two months before congressional elections and at a point when Bush's approval rate is at 33 percent in the August AP-Ipsos poll. His approval on handling of Iraq also was at 33 percent in the poll.

"They are not political speeches," Bush said outside a Little Rock restaurant where he made a campaign stop with Asa Hutchinson, a former congressman who is running for governor against Democrat Mike Beebe. "They're speeches about the future of this country and they're speeches to make it clear that if we retreat before the job is done, this nation will become even more in jeopardy.

"These are important times and I would seriously hope people wouldn't politicize these issues that I'm going to talk about," the president said. "We have a duty in this country to defeat terrorists. That's why we'll stay on the offensive to bring them to justice before they hurt us. And that's why we'll work to spread liberty in order to achieve the peace."

While Bush said Iraq and terrorism shouldn't be politicized, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, only a day earlier, attacked critics of the administration's war policies and suggested they suffered from "cynicism and moral confusion."

More than 2,630 members of the U.S. military have died since the beginning of the Iraq war in March 2003. Gen. George Casey, the top U.S. general in Iraq, said he believes Iraqi forces can take over security with little coalition support within a year to 18 months, providing an opportunity for a drawdown of U.S. forces.

Bush attended a closed-door fundraiser in Little Rock for Hutchinson that attracted some 800 people to the home of former pro basketball player Joe Kleine. It was expected to raise an estimated $400,000 for Hutchinson's campaign and the Republican Party in Arkansas.

Before arriving this evening in Salt Lake City, Bush was stopping in Nashville to attend a $2,100-a-plate fundraiser for Bob Corker's Senate campaign.

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Associated Press writer Andrew DeMillo in Little Rock contributed to this report.

[Lucky9teen]

Good for him. My prayers go out to him.

[FreeRep]

Good! God Bless President Bush.

[Lucky9teen]

[truth_seeker]

Bush is out stumping for Asa "mr. interior immigration enforcement" Hutchison.

Watch for the chance to hear Asa respond to Ken and John in California, when the higher ups called off further real interior enforcement.

Asa stumbled and bumbled his words. Not impressive.

[Right_in_Virginia]

Godspeed, Mr. President.

It's the right thing to do at the right time.

[Cobra64]

He should have been doing this every week in prime time on all networks. He has the pulpit, but is afraid to use it. Too bad Ronnie isn't around to coach W.

[uncbob]

Should have been doing this since day 1

Let's hope it isn't too little too late

[Marine_Uncle]

I wonder just what he can say that he has not already. Part of his problem is he can elucidate facts but does not a the style of an orator. Clintoon used to be able to lie out his teeth and at the same time draw the listener to what he projected.
GWB just does not have the qualities required to win over the listener. But I sure wish him well in his upcoming deliveries.

[bnelson44]

If you have not seen this elsewhere, read it now: Vice Director Admiral Sullivan of the JCS Strategic Planning and Policy's take on the Long War. (PowerPoint Presentation)

[Marine_Uncle]

Thanks B. Will do.

[bnelson44]

Just some ideas that the President has not articulated yet.

[Marine_Uncle]

What the presentation contents is fine. But could you see the POTUS trying to actually provide enough step by step information to the American public in such a form. Americans are impatient. They don't really want to be informed of facts. They in mass just want to go along their way, thinking often they actually understand what the hell is going on.
To many have been brainwashed into thinking only what the L/MSM have presented.
Most Americans have little knowlege of what we routinely discuss in this forum for instance. I just don't see how the POTUS is going to convince a public that for the most part wants our military to withdraw from Iraq on mostly emotional basis.
Just today I spoke with a long time republican women who is sold on the idea that there where no wmds in Iraq, and that Iraq had nothing to do with terrorist organizations, and most probably was in on the 9/11 attacks. She sees no reason why we invaded Iraq. And she was not the slightest interested in allowing me to tell her things she simply is not aware of. Say the Harmony Database. She felt she knew what the deal was. And all I have bumped into at work feel the same way. No one has a clue as to what we have over a period of time ingested and analyised.
How can the POTUS then make a concrete case for the continued military support in Iraq and the ME in general. Heck.
How many US senators and representatives do we hear spill out a line a crap and on reflection realize they also really do not have a frigen clue. They are so ill informed it is royally pathetic.
That is why I feel it is not going to be easy to educate a dumb nation in a few speaches. I know very very few people that are willing to even enter into a deep discussion about say Iraq. America as well as all peoples of earth really want some buzz words, assurance all is well, and they can go on with what they are doing without any barriers to stop their seeking their particular form of comfort.
I wish the POTUS well. But do not expect any renewed support for what we know must have a lot of solid support.

[bnelson44]

Someone needs to spell it out like this. ...albeit in an entertaining way that will keep people interested for 15min.

Not sure who or how. But it needs to be done.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Not sure who or how. But it needs to be done."
And therein lies the problem my friend. Taint easy to do.
I certainly do not wish to depress our spirits, but simply have doubts as to the outcome. Let us hope my fears have been totally out of proportion.

[bnelson44]

Taint easy to do.

Neither is convincing people to buy deoderant made from.. well, you really don't want to know what it is made from... or $5 boxes of flaked corn to eat instead of bacon and eggs... but we have become very good at marketing those.

[Marine_Uncle]

Civit cat piss comes to mind. heh heh. Well. Let us wait and see how he makes out. Like I said. Hopefully my concerns are really unwarranted at this point. Regardless. Maliki and crew have two years to literally revolutionize their country into a basic democracy and rid it of all insurgents. A lot more good can happen in the time frame, based on all we have put in place for them. They now got the tools. They must convince America they are worth the continued loss of our sons and daughters, in their behalf. Have a nice evening. I gotta hit the rack to attempt sleep.

[Minuteman23]

He should have been doing this every week in prime time on all networks. He has the pulpit, but is afraid to use it. Too bad Ronnie isn't around to coach W.

If we ever needed another Reagan, it's now.

[Minuteman23]

See #14,