"Today we're at a critical moment in the history of this proud nation," GW told reporters following a closed-door meeting with Iraq's Prime Minister this morning, The joint press conference comes in the wake of stepped-up MSM quagmire chatter energized by recent "tumbling" poll numbers.
"The Iraqi people will continue to defy the skeptics as they continue to assume more responsibility for their future," says the President at a joint news conference with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari this morning. Rough transcript of highlights:
I told the Prime Minister that the American people share the vision of the Iraqi people for a free Iraq. The killings and roadside bombings demonstrate that the Iraqi people face a ruthless enemy that has no regard for human life and who knows that a free Iraq will be a severe blow for an ideology that lives on fear. Their goal is to drive us out of Iraq before the Iraqis have established a secure and free Iraq. They will not succeed.
A gotcha journalist attempts to trip up the Leader of the Free World by pointing out an apparent discrepancy between 1) General Abizaid's statement in testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee yesterday that the strength of the insurgency hadn't changed significantly in the past six months vs. 2) the Vice President's recent assertion that the insurgency was in its "last throes":
There's no question there's a still an enemy that wants to shake our will and get us to leave, and they're willing to use any ways necessary . . . They know the carnage they wreak will be on TV, and it bothers people . . . We also understand that there is reason to be optimistic. The same commanders who tell us of the carnage are also reminding us that we're making good progress . . . more and more Iraqi troops are becoming better trained . . . there is a political track that is moving forward together with the security track . . . It's hard work. But progress is being made.
An Iraqi journalist asks about timetables and Dr. Rice's role in rallying donor countries behind the cause:
You've learned a good American trick, which is to ask two questions. Contratulations. [laughter]. There aren't going to be any timetables. We are there to complete a mission. A democratic Iraq is in the interests of America and in the interests of peace. To give a timetable, you're conceding too much to the enemy. You don't have to worry, Mr. Prime Minister, about any timetables.
Another snarky gotcha type asks about the Commander-in-Chief's "second-term slump . . . Does declining American support worry you?":
Following polls is like a dog chasing its tail -- I'm not sure how that translates. My job is to set the agenda and to follow that agenda.
Oh, and before anyone asks, Karl Rove isn't going anywhere. Republicans don't apologize for speaking truth to impotence. Liberals ARE soft on terrorism.
W knows where of he speaks. Let us hope the people of our country understand that he leads us in the direction we must follow if Western civilization is to survive.
Posted by: goomp | June 24, 2005 at 04:46 PM
The MSM is just chomping at the bit to relive its glory days of fueling anti-war sentiment during the days of Vietnam.
I am 48 years old and feel like I am living in a time warp.
After everything we have been through..especially in the last 40 years..that these reporters could ask these questions at this time just sickens me.
What part of we are fighting for the very survival of western civilization do these reporters and anti-war types not understand?
Posted by: Tara | June 24, 2005 at 05:18 PM