Embattled Bush to offer "candid Iraq views" (but no policy changes)

[Bush_Eats_Beef]

Embattled Bush to offer candid Iraq views
By Holly Yeager in Washington
Published: March 12 2006 21:36 | Last updated: March 12 2006 21:36

http://news.ft.com/cms/s/3677566e-b20e-11da-96ad-0000779e2340,dwp_uuid=c1a5b968-e1ed-11d7-81c6-0820abe49a01.html

Still reeling from the Republican revolt over the Dubai Ports World deal, President George W. Bush will today launch a round of speeches on the war in Iraq, his most intractable political problem. The initiative, as the third anniversary of the start of war approaches, is unlikely to offer any changes in US policy. But with Mr Bush facing the lowest approval ratings of his presidency, he is expected to offer a more candid assessment.

“Amid the daily news of car bombs and kidnappings and brutal killings, I can understand why many of our fellow citizens are now wondering if the entire mission was worth it,” Mr Bush said on Saturday, in a preview of his remarks. “I strongly believe our country is better off with Saddam Hussein out of power.”

The attention to Iraq comes as Mr Bush faces questions about the rift within his party on the ports deal and calls for changes to senior staff if he is to reassert himself in the remaining years of his presidency. “There is some question about whether those around him have served him well,” Norm Coleman, Republican senator from Minnesota, told the New York Times. Those worries were evident among party activists who gathered in Memphis, Tennessee at the weekend, where potential presidential candidates in 2008 distinguished themselves by the levels of support they offered Mr Bush.

The president has shown little interest in making changes to his inner circle of advisers, and he brushes off questions about the Republican revolt in Congress. “I’ve read all the stories about this rift, or that rift,” Mr Bush said on Saturday. “I am looking forward to continuing to work with the leadership in Congress to pass an agenda that will keep America the economic leader of the world and will keep this country secure.”

[BrklynLiberal]

1. What a twit.

[rodeodance]

2. this line so so so so old:

“I strongly believe our country is better off with Saddam Hussein out of power.”

[valerief]

4. I'm sick of Embattled Bush

Put him in battle and let's watch him get embattled.

[tenshi816]

7. That struck me too.

I wish someone would ask him to be more specific: "Mr. President, in exactly what way is our country better off with Saddam Hussein out of power? You keep saying that, but precisely what do you mean?"

Of course, the Dumbass would come back with "we're fighting them over there so we don't have to fight them over here." That one's old too.

Edit: typo

[spindrifter]

3. What pray tell was the benefit

we, as a country, received from putting Saddam out of power? I can only think of what it has cost in human lives--ours and theirs, debt and reduced standing among other nations.

[valerief]

5. Only George Oilwell knows for sure

[CrazyOrangeCat]

6. He truly looks loony in the photo, doesn't he?

--pink footies
--huge shorts
--weird cowboy-bikeshirt-thingy
--beady, soulless eyes
--gob hangin' open

L.L. Pissypants is lost . . .

[radfringe]

8. it's a typo, or a mis-speak

"Embattled Bush to offer candid Iraq views"

should read "Embattled Bush to offer CANNED Iraq views"