Free Republic

TAMPA, Fla. - Appealing for patience, President Bush said Friday that Americans should not be discouraged by setbacks in Iraq and said the nation must realize that it is still at war. The president said there is a "tendency of folks is to say this really isn't a war. People kind of want to slip to the comfortable." But he said the nation still faces a ruthless enemy in Iraq that has no regard for human life. "We shouldn't be discouraged about setbacks, short term setbacks, or the enemy's capacity to take innocent life, because we've seen democracy change the...

At the White House, the president met with current and former Iraqi citizens, victims of Saddam Hussein's regime. Laura Bush continues her African visit (with her daughter, Barbara). She criticized Senator Clinton for suggesting that the Republican-controlled House is run like a plantation where dissenting voices are ignored. "It's a ridiculous comment," Mrs. Bush told reporters when asked about the remark. She headed home after reaffirming the U.S. commitment to help Nigeria treat AIDS patients and stem the spread of HIV. She said she hoped that "one day an entire generation" will be free of the disease that has ravaged...

President Bush, with his wife, and daughter Jenna, is celebrating his 59th birthday in Denmark and Scotland before the G8 conference begins in Scotland. Welcome to Sanity Island.

In preparation for the G-8 meeting in Scotland, President Bush received British PM Tony Blair at the White House, then held a press conference with him in which, among other things, they pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in more aid to Africa, including famine relief. Both emphasized the rewards that go to African nations that embrace true democracy. Both were asked about the "Downing Street Memo;" each strongly denied the substance of it, which I will not dignify with repetition here. Press here for press conference text. Senate Democrats failed in their efforts to continue the stall against Justice...