Posted on 08/14/2003 8:26:08 PM PDT by CrazyBillyJack
SAN DIEGO (AP) - President Bush declared Thursday that ``we're winning'' the war against terrorism as he carefully kept his distance from the California gubernatorial recall campaign that has overshadowed his own re-election bid.
Bush has called the effort to recall Democratic Gov. Gray Davis ``a fascinating bit of political drama,'' yet he all but ignored it after arriving here from his Texas ranch. Bush kept his emphasis on fighting terrorism and on his role as commander in chief - his political strong suits - on a day he also was raising $1 million for his campaign.
Bush indirectly devoted a single line to the recall free-for-all here, in the form of an insult directed at California Finance Chairman and close pal Brad Freeman. After Freeman introduced him at the fund-raiser, Bush said: ``I thought for a moment he was going to announce for governor, he spoke so long.''
After California finance chairman and close pal Brad Freeman introduced him, Bush said: ``I thought for a moment he was going to announce for governor, he spoke so long.''
He stepped off Air Force One at the Marine Corps Air Station at Miramar into a column of fighter jets, military helicopters and Navy radar planes, saluting the ``generations of Marines and sailors and pilots (who) trained and served here'' and thanking veterans for serving.
The military hardware was wheeled off the tarmac shortly after Bush left.
Speaking to thousands of Marines, sailors and Coast Guard personnel, Bush said: ``Each of you serves in a crucial time in our nation's history, and this nation is grateful for the sacrifice and service you make. Many of you have recently returned from Iraq and it seems like you're happy to be home.'' The audience roared in agreement.
``Our nation is waging a broad and unrelenting campaign against the global terror network, and we're winning,'' he declared.
The White House announced the capture of an alleged al-Qaida leader, Riduan Isamuddin, who is suspected of playing a role in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks as well as last year's Bali bombing and a series of deadly bombings in the Philippines.
Bush called the suspect, known as Hambali, ``one of the world's most lethal terrorists.''
``He is no longer a problem to those of us who love freedom,'' Bush said. ``And neither are nearly two-thirds of known senior al-Qaida leaders, operational managers and key facilitators who have been captured or have been killed.''
Bush cited progress following the U.S.-led wars in Iraq and Afghanistan but did not mention setbacks.
``Afghanistan today is a friend of the United States of America,'' Bush said. ``Roads are being built, medical clinics are opening, there are new schools in Afghanistan where many young girls are now going to school for the first time, thanks to the United States of America.''
He did not speak of a surge of violence that has claimed 64 lives in Afghanistan in recent days, the bloodiest period since the fall of the Taliban in 2001. Nor did he mention that Osama bin Laden is still at large.
In Iraq, he said, ``the former regime is gone, and our nation and the world is more secure.''
``Thanks to our military, Iraqi citizens do not have to fear a secret police, arbitrary arrests or loved ones lost forever in mass graves,'' he said. ``Thanks to our military, Saddam Hussein will never threaten anybody with a weapon of mass destruction.''
Bush did not mention that Saddam, too, is at large nor that 129 U.S. troops have died since May 1, when he declared major combat over.
The president offered words of mourning for fallen soldiers, not specifically directed at those recently killed in Iraq.
``Each of you recalls especially the ones who gave their lives for freedom of others, and the United States will always honor their memory,'' Bush said. ``And today we ask the Almighty's blessings on those who grieve here on Earth for their loved ones. I know you're proud to wear the same uniform they wore.''
Bush is spending two days in Southern California to raise about $2 million for his own campaign while taking pains to avoid the chaotic recall free-for-all. There was no sign here of Arnold Schwarzenegger, the leading Republican trying to oust Davis.
The closest Bush came to acknowledging the recall was when he recognized Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., at the top of his speech. Issa bankrolled the petition drive that forced the recall, but dropped out of contention for governor last week.
Issa, who spent nearly $2 million of his own money, said Thursday no one at the White House had been involved in his decision.
``It's a California problem,'' Issa said. ``The president, rightfully so, should be out of it.''
California was hostile political territory for Bush in 2000; he lost the state by more than 1 million votes.
"The military hardware was wheeled off the tarmac shortly after Bush left."
No media bias here. Move along.
Yes!
Bush kept his emphasis on fighting terrorism and on his role as commander in chief - his political strong suits - on a day he also was raising $1 million for his campaign.
Sounds like the President is taking care of business.
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