Bush defends effort against terror before nation
In a rare news conference last night, President Bush sought to reassure Americans about the volatile mission in Iraq and the war on terror. What were your reactions to the press conference?
in today's globe: Bush vows he'll stick to Iraq plan
Complete transcript of press conference
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Bush is grasping at political straws. He can't show any results in Iraq so he stood up in front of the nation to reiterate the falsehoods he has told us in the past. I was particularly annoyed by his skirting of key questions asked by the press corp. One in particular was in which he was asked the reason for why Vice President Cheney and himself would appear together and not separate in front of the 9/11 Investigation Commission. His flustered (non) response was laughable. In addition, his response to "How long" our troops will be deployed was a very vague "As long as it takes." I am worried that he making (a failed) attempt to butter us up for additional deployments and continued extensions to the deployments of our troops. It will be difficult for Bush to keep the votes of his military family base if this war continues to drag on, and our soldiers (and civilians) continue to lose their lives. Especially if the positive results continue to be few and far between. At the same time it will be a travesty if Bush pulls out before Iraq is stable enough to maintain itself.
Ian
I would have liked to hear an answer to, "if Bin Laden was responsible for 9/11, why are we spending billions of taxpayer money and have all our forces in IRAQ?? what are you doing about that?
Kevin, somerville
I wish he would answer questions. He avoids everything. If it isn't written out for him, he can't give a straight answer. He fumbles thru everything.
bobby, taunton
I don't have any confidence in him any more.
Joe, Waltham
I thought he was unprepared, evasive, vague and looked frazzled. He showed us all why his administration tries to keep him out of the spotlight. I still can't believe this guy is running our country. I'm really looking forward to the upcoming election - more so than 1992!
Louis, Nashua
I won't waste your time with verbose ramblings: Time for him to go.
Mark, Foxboro
As an Independent I was not looking for W to espouse brilliant words of inspiration. He is not a great speaker and he's even worse when speaking extemperaneously. That being said, he confirmed my belief that he is resolute and sincere in his fight against terrorism and will do everything in his power to fight it. I do agree w/ his statement that by giving the Iraqi people hope, in the form of freedom, you prevent future terrorists. Mr Bush must get a handle on things there. The situation is not a "Vietnam" yet, but could become one if he doesn't stop the tide of insurgency and violence. I am prepared as of now to vote for Mr Bush because I don't think Kerry has a clear vision for much of anything, let alone winning the peace in Iraq. And I'm sorry, his Vietnam service means little to me since I am too young to know about it first hand. These are just grainy home movies propping a wooden "war hero". This is not the 60s. Warfare is fought on completely new terms. Kerry is right when he says we need to get the UN more involved (duh!), but he fails to explain just how he's going to get the UN more involved or how to build up an international coalition.
Chas, Boston, MA
President Bush once again filibustered when tough questions were asked. When asked why Vice-President Cheney and himself will be appearing together rather than separately as the commission has asked, Bush merely retorted with circular logic thereby not answering the question directly "Because it's a good chance for both of us to answer questions that the 9/11 Commission is looking forward to asking us, and I'm looking forward to answering them". Great answer Mr. President. Instead of outlining a plan for securing the peace in Iraq and transferring power on his June 30 deadline Bush merely reiterated that the June 30 deadline will hold. His plan for Iraq was never clearly outlined from the beginning and one year later we witness daily why the plan was never delineated. There wasn't one. Bush believed the Iraqis would welcome us with flowers and things would fall into place on their own. While increasing numbers of brave servicemen die in Iraq Bush pushes on with a course of history that will indeed change the world forever. The question is, will historians remember America as a bungling superpower which squandered its power or the nation-building liberators Bush wants us to be seen as...............I fear the former.....
Chris, Swampscott
November can't come fast enough.
Shelly, Taunton
It's scary to know that this is the man in charge. I had hope that he advisors that would guide him with his decisions and that he would follow their advise. It now sounds as if he is full steam ahead...come what may. I like most people I know want to to stand behind the troops and give them what they need. But I don't want them giving up their lives for a country that may not be ready for we are trying to impose on them, What I was hoping he'd say is that he would go full scale ahead with trying to get the UN to asssist in the transition and peace keeping effort in a larger way. I feel sometimes that we are reluctant to share the "spoils" of the war with others who now want to herp. I say that we need everyone who is able to parcipitate.
Everett, Rockport
