Bush still trying to sell the war on terrorism

Maybe he's been rehearsing his lines, anticipating the push-back he might get from other world leaders at this weekend's Group of Eight summit in Japan. Maybe he was aiming his argument at domestic critics, like a certain antiwar Democrat running for president. Or perhaps he was making the case for his legacy as a stalwart defender of U.S. security interests against extremists.

Whatever the motive, at a press conference this morning in the Rose Garden, Bush sounded a bit weary of the repeated necessity to keep selling the war on terrorism. Noting that the G-8 crowd will talk about "the struggle against violent extremists," Bush said:

The temptation is to kind of say, "Well, maybe this isn't really a war, maybe this is just a bunch of disgruntled folks that occasionally come and hurt us." You know that's not the way I feel about it. This is an ongoing, constant struggle to defend our own security and at the same time help people realize the blessings of liberty.

Since 9/11, Bush has probably given thousands of speeches, hundreds of radio addresses and dozens of press conferences. And few have been without a mention of the war against extremists. As he said again today, "Our troops are taking the fight to a tough enemy, an enemy who doesn't like our presence there because ... America is pressing an ideology that's opposite of theirs."

-- Johanna Neuman

Photo: President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush are cheered by soldiers at Fort Campell, Ky., on Nov. 21, 2001.

Credit: Mark Humphrey / Associated Press

Comments

[Sobhani]

Eat your heart out because he is indeed wining the war on terrorism. Haven't you seent he latest Iraqi poll or have you been in Kurdistan and see the pro-american base that Bush has created? Have you been in Afghanestan schools to see how girls are going to school? Well I just got back from there.

It's a shame the American public is getting fooled by it's stupid media.

Bust also has been successful with North Korea, he has been making diplomatic progress with Syria and today we hear that Iran blinked and US will get what they wanted.

Bush will leave a legacy that many presidents would wish to have. History will judge him fairly.

[Robert Laughing]

It wont be long before the trillion wasted in Iraq will be used to buy up America, as we rot from within...THANKS, Bushie...you're doing one hellova job, selling us down the river, and up the creek!