New Jersey turning for Bush!
Iowa Presidential Watch reported yesterday that the Bush campaign was
checking on media buys in New York in order to influence New Jersey.
Now, USA Today reports that New Jersey is in fact up for grabs:
Even if Bush does spend money there, analysts doubt Kerry will. "If
they're going to lose New Jersey, they're going to lose in a landslide
anyway," says University of Virginia political scientist Larry Sabato.
"They have to spend their money on the real battleground states -
Ohio, Pennsylvania, Florida."
Still, Kerry's drop in New Jersey is "flabbergasting," says David
Rebovich of the Rider Institute for New Jersey Politics. "From gun
control to a woman's right to choose to the environment, health care,
the war in Iraq, Kerry is on the correct side of the issues" to
win in New Jersey, he says. But, he adds, "New Jersey is a 9/11
state."
Transcript of Bush-Allawi press conference
PRESIDENT BUSH: Thank you all for coming. I'm honored to stand with
the Prime Minister of a free and sovereign Iraq. Welcome, Mr. Prime
Minister. I applaud your leadership and your courage. It's my honor to
welcome a friend to the White House.
Mr. Prime Minister, you've accomplished a great deal in less than the
three months since the transition to a free Iraq that is governed by
Iraqis. These have been months of steady progress, despite persistent
violence in some parts of your country. Iraqis and their leaders are
engaged in a great and historic enterprise to establish a new
democracy at the heart of a vital region.
As friends of liberty, the new leaders of Iraq are friends of America,
and all civilized nations. As enemies of tyranny and terror, the
people of Iraq and the American troops and civilians supporting their
dreams of freedom have been the target of acts of violence. The
enemies of freedom are using suicide bombing, beheadings, and other
horrific acts to try to block progress. We're sickened by the
atrocities, but we'll never be intimidated. And freedom is winning.
Mr. Prime Minister, America will stand with you until freedom and
justice have prevailed. America's security and Iraq's future depend on
it.
The Iraqi people are showing great courage and great determination. As
terrorists have attacked Iraqi security forces, still more brave
Iraqis have come forward to volunteer to serve their country. As
killers have attempted to assassinate government officials, Iraq's
leaders have refused to be intimidated, and the vast majority of
Iraqis remain committed to democracy.
The path to our safety and to Iraq's future as a democratic nation
lies in the resolute defense of freedom. If we stop fighting the
terrorists in Iraq, they would be free to plot and plan attacks
elsewhere, in America and other free nations. To retreat now would
betray our mission, our word, and our friends. Mr. Prime Minister,
America will keep it's commitments.
The path ahead is difficult because a free Iraq has deadly enemies.
Remnants of the old regime and terrorist groups want to prevent Iraq's
elections and demoralize Iraq's allies. Because of that, Prime
Minister Allawi and I believe terrorist violence may well escalate as
the January elections draw near. The terrorists know that events in
Iraq are reaching a decisive moment. If elections go forward,
democracy in Iraq will put down permanent roots, and terrorists will
suffer a dramatic defeat. And because Iraq and America and our
coalition are standing firm, the Iraqi people, and not the terrorists,
will determine Iraq's future.
There's much at stake. Mr. Prime Minister, you recently said, the war
in Iraq now is not only an Iraqi war, it is a war for the civilized
world to fight terrorists and terrorism, and there is no route but the
route of winning. Prime Minister Tony Blair recently called the
struggle in Iraq the crucible in which the future of global terrorism
will be determined. I share the view of these strong leaders that Iraq
is a central front in the war on terror, and our only option is
victory.
We're making steady progress in implementing our five-step plan toward
the goal we all want, completing the mission so that Iraq is stable
and self-governing, and American troops can come home with the honor
they have earned.
The first step was achieved on June 28th, not only on time, but ahead
of schedule, when the coalition transferred full sovereignty to a
government of Iraqi citizens.
The second step is to help Iraq's new government establish stability
and security. Iraq must be able to defend itself. And Iraqi security
forces are taking increasing responsibility for their country's
security. Nearly 100,000 fully trained and equipped Iraqi soldiers,
police officers, and other security personnel are working today. And
that total will rise to 125,000 by the end of this year. The Iraqi
government is on track to build a force of over 200,000 security
personnel by the end of next year. With the help of the American
military, the training of the Iraqi army is almost halfway complete.
And in Najaf and other important areas, Iraqi military forces have
performed with skill and success. In Najaf, Iraqi and coalition forces
effectively surrounded, isolated and engaged enemy militias. Prime
Minister Allawi and his government reached out to the local population
to persuade citizens the path to a better future would be found in
political participation and economic progress. The interim government
then negotiated from a position of strength to end the standoff.
Serious problems remain in several cities. Prime Minister Allawi
believes this combination of decisive action and outreach to peaceful
citizens is the most effective way to defeat terrorists and
insurgents, and secure the peace of Iraq. And America stands with him.
The third step in our plan is to continue improving Iraq's
infrastructure. On television sets around the world, we see acts of
violence -- yet, in most of Iraq, children are about to go back to
school, parents are going back to work and new businesses are being
opened. Over 100 companies are now listed on the Iraqi stock exchange.
And an average of five new companies are joining each week.
Electricity has been restored above pre-war levels. Telephone service
has increased dramatically. More than 2,000 schools have been
renovated and millions of new textbooks have been distributed
There is much more work to be done. We've already spent more than a
billion dollars on urgent reconstruction projects in areas threatened
by the insurgency. In the next several months, over $9 billion will be
spent on contracts that will help Iraqis rebuild schools, refurbish
hospitals and health clinics, repair bridges, upgrade the electricity
grid, and modernize the communications system. Prime Minister Allawi
and I both agree that the pace of reconstruction should be
accelerated. We're working toward that goal.
The fourth step in our plan is to enlist additional international
support for Iraq's transition to democracy. The multinational force of
some 30 nations continues to help secure a free Iraq. We honor the
servicemen and women of Great Britain, Bulgaria, Denmark, El Salvador,
Estonia, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, the Netherlands, Poland, Slovakia,
Spain, Thailand, and Ukraine have died, besides Iraqis and Americans,
for the cause of freedom and security of the world. Our coalition is
grateful that the United Nations has reestablished it's mission in
Baghdad. We're grateful to the G-8 countries and the European Union
for pledging support to the new Iraqi government. We're grateful to
the NATO Alliance for helping to train Iraqi forces. We're grateful to
many of Iraq's creditors, which have agreed to a further reduction of
Iraq's debt. Because all nations have an interest in the success of a
free Iraq, I urge all nations to join in this vital cause.
The fifth and most important step in our plan is to help Iraq conduct
free national elections no later than next January. An Iraqi electoral
commission is now up and running and has already hired personnel and
is making key decisions about election procedures. Just this week, the
commission began a public education campaign to inform Iraqis about
the process and encourage them to become voters. United Nations
electoral advisors are on the ground in Iraq, though more are needed.
Prime Minister Allawi and I have urged the U.N. to send sufficient
personnel to help ensure the success of Iraqi elections.
At every stage in this process of establishing self-government, the
Iraqi people and their leaders have met the schedules they set, and
have overcome their challenges with confidence. And under this good
man's leadership, they will continue to do so.
The war for Iraq's freedom is a fight against some of the most
ruthless and brutal men on Earth. In such a struggle, there will be
good days, and there will be difficult days. But every day our resolve
must remain firm.
Prime Minister, today I want to leave you and the nation you serve
with a clear message: You have not faltered in a time of challenge,
and neither will America. Thank you for your leadership. You honor us
with your visit.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: Thank you.
Mr. President, thank you for those kind words. It is an honor to be
here today in your nation's capital. It is a great honor to share this
platform with you, a leader who worked tirelessly for the liberation
of my country.
These last few days have been difficult for us Iraqis, for you
Americans, and for all our allies. Let me start by saying that my
thoughts and prayers are with the families of those fighting today in
Iraq, and in particularly, with the families of those who have lost
loved ones at the hands of the terrorists or the insurgents.
Like this nation, which is -- which in the face of such brutality is
standing strong against terrorism, so we Iraqis will not be cowed by
the terrorists. Your government and my government understand what is
at stake today in Iraq. Today we face a concentrated campaign by
terrorists and by the enemies of all the values which we hold dear, a
campaign to shake our resolve, and to prevent Iraq and Iraqis from
attaining the freedom and democracy which we have dreamed of for more
than the last 30 years.
These terrorists understand all too well that success in Iraq will be
an enormous blow for terrorism worldwide, and an enormous step forward
for peace and stability in the Middle East, and in the wider world.
I thank you, Mr. President, for your determination to stand firm with
us in Iraq, and for the unflinching message which you are delivering
to our enemies.
Mr. President, I stand here today as a Prime Minister of a country
emerging finally from dark ages of tyranny, aggression, and
corruption. Like you, I knew how evil Saddam Hussein and his regime
truly were. Like you, I knew the damage he had brought on his country.
Like you, I knew of the wars he had started, and the dangers he posed
to my region and the world; or at least I thought I knew. For I, like
millions of other Iraqis, were forced into exile, realizing that we
could only fight Saddam from outside Iraq.
Even then we were not safe, as I, myself, can testify. But when I
returned to Iraq, following the liberation of my country, I was truly
shocked by just how much damage Saddam had done to -- in his 30 years
of rule. Iraq is a deeply scarred society in a very troubled region.
Today, we are witnessing all too vividly the true extent of the damage
which Saddam inflicted on our society.
Mr. President, Iraqis thank God, thank America, and thank our allies
that Saddam is gone. We are safer, the region is safer, the world is
safer without him. But the scars will take time to -- determination to
-- time and determination to heal.
Again, Mr. President, I thank you for your leadership. We had an
excellent meeting today, building on the talks we had on Tuesday in
New York. We discussed the challenges ahead of us and how to confront
them. We discussed the plan to take Iraq through these difficulties
and to ensure that democratic elections take place on time next year.
And we discussed the importance of maintaining the strength of the
coalition, and the support of the international community in helping
us to succeed. As we discussed, the plan focuses on building
democracy, defeating the insurgency, and improving the quality of life
for the ordinary Iraqis. Our political plan is to isolate the
terrorists from the communities in which they operate. We are working
hard to involve as many people as we can in the political process, to
cut the ground from under the terrorists' feet.
Of course, we know that terrorism cannot be defeated with political
tools alone, but we can weaken it. And in local support helps us to
tackle the enemy head on, to identify, isolate and eradicate this
cancer. Our military plan will enable us to build and maintain
security across Iraq. Ordinary Iraqis are anxious to take over
entirely this role and to shoulder all the security burdens of our
country as quickly as possible.
We do not want the multinational force to stay in Iraq any more than
you want to remain there -- for there. But for now, we need you. We
need the help of our American and multinational partners while we
continue to accelerate the training of Iraqi security forces.
The Iraqi government now commands almost 100,000 trained and
combat-ready Iraqis, including police, national guard and army. The
government have accelerated the development of Iraqi special forces
and established a counter-terrorist strike force to address the
specific problems caused by the insurgency. Our intelligence is
getting better every day. You have seen that in the successful
resolution of the Najaf crisis and in the targeted attacks against
insurgents in Fallujah.
Finally, our economic plan is to improve the everyday lives of Iraqis
as we deliver both political and security progress. Here, thanks to a
large extent to the generous security and reconstruction funding
approved by the United States Congress, work is underway. Oil
pipelines are being repaired. Basic service has improved; streets and
homes rebuilt; schools, hospitals and clinics reopened. Thousands of
Iraqis have new jobs. Salaries have been increased dramatically -- in
many cases, five or four times over. Iraq's economy, freed from the
stranglehold of a failed Baathist ideology, has finally started to
flourish.
Mr. President, we also discussed the importance of holding free and
fair national and local elections this coming January, as planned. I
know that some have speculated, even doubted, whether this date can be
met, so let me be absolutely clear that elections will occur in Iraq
on time in January, because Iraqis want election on time. In 15 out of
18 Iraqi provinces, the security situation is good for elections to be
held tomorrow.
Here, Iraqis are getting on with their daily lives, hungry for the new
political and economic freedoms they are enjoying. Although, this is
not what you see in your media, it is a fact. The Iraqi elections may
not be perfect; they may not be the best elections that Iraq will ever
hold; they will undoubtedly be an excuse for violence from those who
disparage and despise liberty, as we -- the first elections -- as were
the first elections in Sierra Leone, South Africa and Indonesia. But
they will take place, and they will be free and fair.
Finally, Mr. President, a word about international resolve. Iraq
cannot accomplish this alone. The international forces of tyranny and
oppression are lined up against us. Iraq is now the main battleground
between the forces of hope and the forces of fear. This is a struggle
which will shape the future of our world.
Already, Iraq has many partners. More than two dozen countries are
represented in Iraq with troops on the ground. We Iraqis are grateful
for each and every one of these courageous men and women. The United
Nations, the European Union, the G-8 have lent their strong support.
NATO, just yesterday, increased its commitment to Iraq. Many more
nations have committed to Iraq future in the form of economic aid. I
am grateful for the support. I look to my Arab brothers to join us
fully.
I know it is difficult, but the coalition must stand firm. When
governments negotiate with terrorists, everyone in the free world
suffers. When political leaders sound the sirens of defeatism in the
face of terrorism, it only encourages more violence. Working together,
we will defeat the killers, and we'll do this by refusing to bargain
about our most fundamental principles.
I understand why, faced with the daily headlines, there are those
doubts. I know, too, that there are -- there will be many more
setbacks and obstacles to overcome. But these doubters underestimate
our country and they risk fueling the hopes of terrorism.
Mr. President, there are those who want to divide our world. I appeal
to you, who have done so much already, to help us to ensure they don't
succeed.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: We'll take a couple of questions now. Terry.
Q Mr. President, two more Americans have been beheaded. More than 300
Iraqis have been killed in the last week. Fallujah is out of
government control. And U.S. and Iraqi forces have been unable to
bring security to diplomatic and commercial centers of Baghdad. Why
haven't U.S. forces been able to capture or kill al Zarqawi, who's
blamed for much of the violence? And what's your answer to General
John Abizaid's statement that, "I think we will need more troops than
we currently have"?
PRESIDENT BUSH: If that's what he says -- he was in my office this
morning; he didn't say that to me, but if he were to say that, I'd
listen to him, just like I've said all along, that when our commanders
say that they need support, they'll get support, because we're going
to succeed in this mission.
The first part of the question was, how come we haven't found Zarqawi.
We're looking for him. He hides. He is -- he is -- he's got a
effective weapon, and that is terror. I said yesterday that our
military cannot be defeated by these thugs, that -- but what they do
is behead Americans so they can get on the TV screens. And they're
trying to shake our will and trying to shake the Iraqis' will. That's
what they're trying to do.
And like all Americans, I'm disgusted by that kind of behavior. But
I'm not going to yield. We're not going to abandon the Iraqi people.
It's in our interests that we win this battle in the war on terror.
See, I think that the Iraq theater is a part of the war on terror.
That's what the Prime Minister said, as well. He believes the same
thing. He understands what's going on there -- after all, he lives
there.
And I believe that if we wilt, or leave, America's security will be
much worse off. I believe that if Iraq -- if we fail in Iraq, it's the
beginning of a long struggle. We will not have done our duty to our
children and our grandchildren. And so that's why I'm consistently
telling the Iraqi citizens that we will not be intimidated. That's why
my message to Mr. Zarqawi is: You cannot drive us out of Iraq by your
-- by your brutality.
It's tough work, everybody knows that. It's hard work. But we must not
allow the actions of a few -- and I emphasize that -- I say that
because there are 25 million Iraqis, by far the vast majority of whom
want to live in a free society. And we cannot allow the actions of a
few to determine the fate of these good people, as well as the fate of
the security of the United States.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: May I, Mr. President?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Sure.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: I just have a few words to say to this
question.
We cannot really substitute Iraq for Fallujah. Fallujah is a small
part of Iraq. There are insurgents and terrorists who are active there
for geographical reasons. The people of Fallujah are adamant that they
should -- whenever they are capable -- to get rid of the insurgents.
We have been talking to them, I have been talking to them, engaged in
dialogue. My deputy met with the Fallujah tribes two days ago. Things
are moving in the right direction and we are hitting insurgents and
terrorists in this part of the world.
To have more troops, we don't need. What we need really is to train
more Iraqis, because this is ultimately for Iraqis, for Iraqi security
forces to take responsibility for their own security and to defend the
rest of the civilized world. What is happening, sir, in Iraq, is
really Iraq is becoming a front line for a global fight against
terrorists. So that's why Zarqawi is not alone. There are other groups
similar to Zarqawi. There are groups who are insurgents who have
stained their hands with the murders of the Iraqi people, who are
Saddam's loyalists. They are working together.
We assure you that we are going to defeat these evil forces, in Iraq
and throughout the world.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Steve.
Q Mr. President, John Kerry is accusing you of colossal failures of
judgment in Iraq and having failed to level with the American people
about how tough it is there. How do you respond to him?
PRESIDENT BUSH: It's hard work in Iraq. Everybody knows that. We see
it on our TV. My message is that -- is that we will stay the course
and stand with these people so that they become free. It's in our
national interest we do so. I believe this is a central part in the
war on terror. I believe that when we succeed in Iraq, that America
will be more secure. I also know that a free Iraq will send a clear
message to the part of the world that is desperate for freedom.
It's hard work. The American people know that. But I believe it's
necessary work. And I believe a leader must be consistent and clear
and not change positions when times get tough. And the times have been
hard -- these are hard times. But I understand that -- what mixed
messages do. You can embolden an enemy by sending a mixed message. You
can dispirit the Iraqi people by sending mixed messages. You send the
wrong message to our troops by sending mixed messages. That's why I
will continue to lead with clarity and in a resolute way, because I
understand the stakes. These are high stakes. And we'll succeed.
Is anybody here from the Iraqi media? Why don't we -- yes, please,
sir. Standing next to a fine man in Deans.
Q (Question not asked in English.)
PRESIDENT BUSH: I'm not so sure I agree with that. (Laughter.)
INTERPRETER: The question to the U.S. President: What are the plans to
accelerate the arrival of the fund donated by various countries around
the world, the countries that are contributing to the rebuilding of
Iraq, in order to encourage investments in Iraq -- particularly with a
very high unemployment rate?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Right. There are at least three aspects to the
reconstruction projects. One is our own money. And as I mentioned in
my remarks, there's $7 billion committed. We've got more money to
spend, and we will spend it when contracts are let and when there's --
and when there's enough security in certain neighborhoods to be able
to spend the money wisely.
Secondly, part of making sure that the Iraq balance sheet is in good
shape is to continue to work on debt reductions. I named former
Secretary Jim Baker to go around to the creditor nations; he received
some commitments. And I believe that the world will make its decision
later on this year as to how much debt reduction there will be in
Iraq.
And, thirdly, as you mentioned, other nations have pledged help to the
Iraqi people. And there will be a donors conference in Japan, kind of
an accountability conference for people to come and explain where they
are in meeting their different promises.
Yes, NBC man, there -- your name?
Q Gregory, sir.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Gregory.
Q Mr. President, you say today that the work in Iraq is tough and will
remain tough. And, yet, you travel this country and a central theme of
your campaign is that America is safer because of the invasion of
Iraq. Can you understand why Americans may not believe you?
PRESIDENT BUSH: No. Anybody who says that we are safer with Saddam
Hussein in power is wrong. We went into Iraq because Saddam Hussein
defied the demands of the free world. We went into Iraq after
diplomacy had failed. And we went into Iraq because I understand after
September the 11th we must take threats seriously, before they come to
hurt us.
And I think it's a preposterous claim to say that America would be
better off with Saddam Hussein in power. I certainly know that that's
the case for America and I certainly know it's the case for the Iraqi
people. These are people who were tortured. This good man was abed in
a London flat, and he wakes up with two Saddam henchmen there with
axes, trying to cut him to pieces with an axe. And, fortunately, he's
alive today; fortunately, we call him friend and ally. But he knows
what it means to have lived under a society in which a thug like
Saddam Hussein would send people with axes to try to kill him in bed
in a London flat.
No, this world is better off with Saddam Hussein in prison.
Q Sir, may I just follow, because I don't think you're really
answering the question. I mean, I think you're responding to Senator
Kerry, but there are beheadings regularly, the insurgent violence
continues, and there are no weapons of mass destruction. My question
is, can you understand that Americans may not believe you when you say
that America is actually safer today?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Imagine a world in which Saddam Hussein were still in
power. This is a man who harbored terrorists -- Abu Abbas, Abu Nidal,
Zarqawi. This is a man who was a sworn enemy of the United States of
America. This is a man who used weapons of mass destruction. Going
from tyranny to democracy is hard work, but I think the argument that
says that Saddam Hussein -- if Saddam Hussein were still in power,
we'd be better off is wrong.
King.
Q Sir, I'd like you answer Senator Kerry and other critics who accuse
you of hypocrisy or opportunism when, on the one hand, you put so much
stock in the CIA when it said Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass
destruction, and now say it is just guessing when it paints a
pessimistic picture of the political transition.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes.
Q And I like to, if you don't mind, follow on something the Prime
Minister just said. If General Abizaid says he needs more troops and
the Prime Minister says he does not want more troops, who wins?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me talk to General Abizaid. As I said, he just
came in to see me, and I want to make sure -- I'm not suggesting any
of the reporters here might be taking something out of context -- that
would never happen in America. But, nevertheless, I do want to sit
down and talk to him about it. Obviously, we can work this out. It's
in the -- if our commanders on the ground feels it's in the interest
of the Iraq citizens to provide more troops, we'll talk about it.
That's -- that's why -- they're friends; that's what we do about
friends.
First part of the question -- oh, yes, yes --
Q They say you've been opportunistic --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, got it. Listen, the other day I was asked about
the NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE, which is a National Intelligence
Estimate. This is a report that talks about possibilities about what
can happen in Iraq, not probabilities. I used an unfortunate word,
"guess." I should have used, "estimate." And the CIA came and said,
this is a possibility, this is a possibility, and this is a
possibility. But what's important for the American people to hear is
reality. And the reality is right here in the form of the Prime
Minister. And he is explaining what is happening on the ground. That's
the best report. And this report was written in July, and now we are
here in September, and as I said, "estimate" would have been a better
word.
Q Mr. President --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Hold on for a minute. Hold on for a minute, please,
please. We've got other people from -- hold on for a second.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: From the other --
PRESIDENT BUSH: From Iraq. Are you from Iraq?
Q No --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Okay. No, hold on for a second. We need people from
Iraq first, please. One journalist from Iraq. You're not from Iraq,
Allen. And neither are you, Elisabeth.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: Give Al Arabiya --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Is anybody here from CBS? Roberts, there you are.
Please.
Q -- happy to be here.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Happy to be here, thank you. (Laughter.)
Q Sir, you --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Terry, you're next.
Q You have been accused on the campaign trail in this election year of
painting an overly optimistic portrait of the situation on the ground
in Iraq. Yesterday, in Valley Forge, you said that there was a
"handful" of people who were willing to kill to try to disrupt the
process. Isn't that really understating the case, particularly when
there are intelligence reports that hundreds, if not thousands, of
foreign fighters are streaming across the border from Syria to take up
the fight of the insurgency? And do you believe, given the situation
on the ground in Fallujah and other northern cities in the Sunni
Triangle, that elections are possible in four months?
PRESIDENT BUSH: I do, because the Prime Minister told me they are. He
is -- he's interested in moving this country forward. And you heard
his statement, and I believe him.
The first part of the question?
Q The first question was, aren't you being --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, got it, got it. Yes. Yesterday --
Q -- disingenuous --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Right. I said -- look, what we're seeing on our TV
screens are the acts of suicide bombers. They're the people who --
that are affecting the daily -- the nightly news. And they know its
effect. I said that the enemy cannot defeat us militarily. What they
can do is take acts of violence that try to discourage us, and try to
discourage the Prime Minister and the people of Iraq.
Look, I'm fully aware we're fighting former Baathists and Zarqawi
network people. But, by far, the vast majority of people, John, and of
25 million people, want to live in freedom. My point is, is that a few
people, relative to the whole, are trying to stop the march of
freedom.
It is tough work. Everybody in America knows that. And the fundamental
question is, are we going to allow the tough work to cause us to
retreat, to waver? And my answer to the American people, and the Iraqi
people, and to the enemy, is that we will complete our mission. We
will do our duty. We will adjust strategies on the ground, depending
upon the tactics of the enemy, but we're not going to allow the
suiciders to drive us out of Iraq.
Terry.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: May I, may I --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, please.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: Let me explain something, which is very
important. I have noticed -- and the media have been neglected and
omitted several times -- in the Western media -- Iraq is made out of
18 provinces, 18, 1-8. Out of these 18 provinces, 14 to 15 are
completely safe, there are no problems. And I can count them for you,
starting from Basra moving into Iraq Kurdistan. There are three areas,
three provinces where there are pockets of insurgents, pockets of
terrorists who are acting there and are moving from there to inflict
damage elsewhere in the country.
So, really, if you care to look at Iraq properly, and go from Basra to
Nasiriyah to Kut to Diyala to Najaf to Karbala to Diwaniya to Samaraa
to Kirkuk to Sulaymaniyah to Dahuk to Arbil, there are no problems.
It's safe, it's good. There are problems in Fallujah. Fallujah is part
of a
province; the province is called Al Anbar. It's vast, very big; it has
many other important towns, such as Ana, such as Rawa, such as Ramadi.
There is nothing there. In Ana and Rawa, indeed, there is nothing, no
problem, except on a small pocket in Fallujah.
So, really, I call upon the responsible media -- throughout the world,
not only here -- to look at the facts as they are in Iraq and to
propagate these facts to the international community.
I am not trying to undermine that there are dangers. There are dangers
in Iraq; there are problems, and we are facing international terrorist
onslaught on Iraq. I, personally, receive every day a threat. In the
last four weeks, they found four conspiracies to kill me. And,
likewise, there are killing people -- they are killing officials, they
are killing innocent people. But the Iraqis are not deterred, and we
are not going to be deterred. I went the next day and saw our
recruitment center for the police, after they killed, massacred 40-45
people. I found hundreds of people coming to be volunteer -- to
volunteer to the police and to the army. I spoke to them. They are all
upbeat. They are resolved to beat terrorism and to defeat the
insurgents.
These are facts that one really needs to explain to you and you need
to explain it to the people.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Terry.
Q Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister, I'd like to ask about the
Iraqi people. Both of you have spoken for them today, and, yet, over
the past several months there have been polls conducted by the
Coalition Provisional Authority, by the Oxford Institute and other
reputable organizations, that have found very strong majorities do not
see the United States as a liberator, but as an occupier, are unhappy
with American policy and want us out. Don't the real voices of the
Iraqi people, themselves, contradict the rosy scenarios you're
painting here today?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me start by that. You said the poll was taken when
the CPA was there?
Q One poll --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Okay, let me stop you. First of all, the Iraqi people
now have got Iraqi leadership. Prime Minister Allawi and his cabinet
are making decisions on behalf of the Iraqi people. Secondly, I saw a
poll that said the right track/wrong track in Iraq was better than
here in America. (Laughter.) It's pretty darn strong. I mean, the
people see a better future.
Talk to the leader. I agree -- I'm not the expert on how the Iraqi
people think, because I live in America, where it's nice and safe and
secure. But I talk to this man. One reason I'm optimistic about our
ability to get the job done is because I talk to the Iraqi Prime
Minister. I'm also optimistic that people will choose freedom over
tyranny every time. That's what I believe.
But, Mr. Prime Minister, you might answer the question on the polls.
There's a lot of polls; sometimes they show you up and sometimes they
show you down, as you might remember.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: Let me -- let me take a minute to explain to
you something, a factual event. I meet, personally, every now and then
with the fringes of the so-called resistance to try and talk them into
respecting law and order and withdraw their arms. And I ask them in a
very honest, very open way, I say to them, "What do you want to
achieve? Could you know exactly what you want to achieve? Do you want
to bring Saddam back from the hole in the ground, living like a rat?
Do you want to bring him back to rule Iraq? Or do you want to bring
bin Laden or similar persons to bin Laden to rule Iraq? If you want to
do this, we will fight you room to room, house to house. If you want
to be part of the political process, you have to be part of the
political process, you are welcome.
If you do not want the multinational force in Iraq -- I was talking to
Fallujah people recently, to tribes, ex-army officers, ex-Saddam
loyalists -- if you want the multinational force out, win the
elections, go to the United Nations, talk to the Security Council, and
tell them we don't need the multinational forces. But I tell you what
is going to happen. If you ask the multinational force to leave
prematurely -- this is me talking to the Fallujah people -- your
country will be in ruins, and we cannot now, on our feet, stand and
fight terrorism and global terrorism.
These are realities. And once you are in Iraq, I will be my (sic)
host. I can put you together with these people in my home and you can
talk to them. And you can find out yourselves that the Iraqis,
tremendously, by and large, respect the United States, and respect the
other partners in the coalition for helping Iraq, not only in
liberation, but now in helping Iraq to rebuild itself and to rebuild
its institutions.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Let me -- let me say one other thing about why I'm
optimistic we'll succeed. By the way, you can understand it's tough
and still be optimistic. You can understand how hard it is and believe
we'll succeed.
I remember when some were talking about the possibility of success in
Afghanistan in pretty stark terms. I don't know if you remember that
period or not, but there was a period where some were saying that it
wasn't possible for democracy to come forward in Afghanistan. Today,
10 million citizens have registered to vote, 41 percent of whom are
women. It's a phenomenal statistic, I think. I think it shows what's
possible if you believe -- if you have certain beliefs from which you
won't waver. And I believe people yearn to be free.
Again, I think if you look at polls -- which, sometimes I do and
sometimes I don't, admittedly, Moran -- that, by far, the vast
majority of Iraqis want to vote. They want to live in freedom. And the
fundamental question is, do we -- is this: Do we have the will to
stay? Do we have the will to put smart strategy in place? I've laid
out the strategy; we're implementing the strategy. But really, do we
have the will to complete the mission? And my message to the Iraqi
people, and to the enemy, and to our troops in harm's way, and to our
allies is: We'll complete the mission.
Listen, last question -- Wendell. And then we -- I think it's probably
time to head into the air-conditioning --
Q Mr. President --
PRESIDENT BUSH: Excuse me, ma'am.
Wendell.
Q Thank you, sir. Mr. President, in the past couple of days you have
been talking about the consequences of the mixed messages you say John
Kerry sends. I want to ask you, sir, do you mean immediate
consequences, not just if the Senator is elected? Do you mean that the
messages being sent now have a negative effect on the effort in Iraq?
And does making the war in Iraq a part of a campaign also have
consequences on the situation there, sir?
PRESIDENT BUSH: Well, I think -- look, in a campaign, it's -- the war
of Iraq is going to be part of a campaign. It's -- this is a major
moment in American history. These are historic times. And I view it as
a great opportunity to help secure our country. As I said before, Iraq
is a central part of the war on terror. And I believe it's important
for us to succeed there because of that.
See, 9/11 changed everything. September the 11th meant that we had to
deal with a person like Saddam Hussein. Of course, I was hoping it
could be done diplomatically. But diplomacy failed. And so the last
resort of a President is to use force. And we did. And now we're --
we're helping the Iraqis.
The Prime Minister said something very interesting a while ago, and
it's important for the American people to understand. Our strategy is
to help the Iraqis help themselves. It's important that we train Iraqi
troops. There are nearly 100,000 troops trained. The Afghan (sic)
national army is a part of the army. By the way -- it's the Afghan
[sic] national army that went into Najaf and did the work there.
There's a regular army being trained. There are border guards being
trained. There are police being trained. That's a key part of our
mission.
But, Wendell, I think the world watches America. We're an influential
nation, and everybody watches what we say. And I think it's very
important for the American President to mean what he says. That's why
I understand that the enemy could misread what I say. That's why I try
to be as clearly I can. I don't want them to be emboldened by any
confusion or doubt. I don't want them to think that, well, maybe all
they got to do is attack and we'll shirk our duties. See, they've been
emboldened before. They have caused certain nations to withdraw from
coalitions as a result of their action, such action reinforcing the
ability for suiciders, for example, to effect free societies. I know
that. I've seen firsthand the tactics of these killers. And so
therefore, I think it's very important for all of us involved in the
process not to send mixed signals.
I don't know what the enemy thinks today. But I do know they're
watching America very carefully. I do know they want to affect other
nations by their acts of murder. I do know they were emboldened by
Spain withdrew from Iraq as a result of attacks on election. And
therefore, I have a duty to our troops -- for starters, most
importantly -- not to send a mixed signal. I want our troops to know
that the sacrifices they are making are worthwhile and necessary for
the security of this country. And I want -- don't want the Iraqis to
fear that, oh, all of a sudden, there will be a change of heart, that
there'll be tough times politically, or that a poll might say
something and, therefore, cause me to change my opinion. I don't want
them to think that, because they have to make the hard choices for
freedom. They have to go from a society that has been tortured by a
brutal thug to a society in which they take responsibility for their
daily lives.
I don't want the coalition forces to feel like we're wavering. And so
I understand that people watch our words. And that's an explanation of
why I say what I say.
Listen, thank you all very much.
Mr. Prime Minister, appreciate you. Good job.
PRIME MINISTER ALLAWI: Okay. Thank you.
PRESIDENT BUSH: Proud you're here.
Teresa’s glass balls
Teresa Heinz Kerry has taken up a new line of talk... predicting the
future. At a Democrat fundraiser in Phoenix, Arizona, the gaffe gal
pulled out a glass ball and predicted Osama bin Laden would be
captured before the November election:
"I wouldn't be surprised if he appeared in the next month," said Heinz
Kerry.
The Phoenix Business Journal [LINK]
goes on to report that Teresa pulled out another glass ball and
predicted that President Bush might reinstate the draft – a
fabrication being used by her husband, John Kerry.
Reaction by the GOP came from Bush Southwestern campaign spokesman
Danny Diaz:
Diaz said the Kerry camp is "irresponsible" for bringing up the draft
issue and contends the Democrat is doing it for political gain.
Diaz also criticized Kerry for shifting positions on Iraq on the
campaign trail after voting to authorize military action in 2002.
"Arizonans need a president they can count on, a leader who knows what
he believes, and after reading the morning's paper, doesn't shift his
stance to accommodate the opposition," Diaz said.
Kerry biographer Brinkley:
“Kerry was not the war hero we thought he was”
A New York Times article [LINK]
takes a look at the fallout of the
what-did-you-do-during-the-Vietnam-War issue. Included in the
exploration is Kerry biographer Douglas Brinkley discusses the impact
of the Vietnam War on both presidential candidates and concludes:
"Every American now knows that there's something really screwy about
George Bush and the National Guard, and they know that John Kerry was
not the war hero we thought he was," said Douglas Brinkley, the
historian and author of a friendly biography of Mr. Kerry's war years,
acknowledging that Mr. Kerry's opponents had succeeded in raising
questions about his service.
Pretty damning statement, considering Brinkley wrote the fluff
biography on Kerry, titled, “Tour of Duty” which detailed what a hero
Kerry was. Considering the Swift Boat Veterans for Truth charges
against Kerry concerning Purple Heart medals for injuries accidentally
self-inflicted (and not requiring more than a band aide to patch up),
perhaps Brinkley would also like to rewrite the biography...
Burkett: Lockhart asked me for documents
NewsMax.com story [LINK]:
Former National Guard commander Bill Burkett has become the first
player in the CBS forged document scandal to implicate John Kerry's
presidential campaign, telling the Fort Worth Star Telegram that top
Kerry aide Joe Lockhart pressed him to turn over damaging evidence on
George Bush.
During a single phone conversation with Lockhart, Burkett told the
Telegram that he suggested a "couple of concepts on what I thought
(Kerry) had to do" to beat Bush.
In return, he said, Lockhart tried to "convince me as to why I
should give them the documents." Lockhart has staunchly denied that he
ever discussed the forged documents with Burkett, though he confirmed
that a conversation had indeed taken place in a call arranged by "60
Minutes" producer Mary Mapes.
But with Burkett now claiming otherwise, Republicans have their first
evidence of Rathergate wrongdoing that directly implicates the Kerry
campaign.
Burkett also complained that "60 Minutes" anchorman Dan Rather tried
to set him up as a "fall guy" in the forged document scandal during
his mea culpa broadcast on Monday.
"He snipped [my interview] apart to cover them," he told the Telegram.
"That's all that that evening news was - to find a fall guy. And it
was me."
"Dan Rather ruined my reputation in front of 70 million people," he
added.
Burkett's former lawyer said Tuesday that the controversial Guardsman
was preparing a lawsuit against CBS.
SHOCKER: CBS boss
Sumner Redstone endorses Bush!
Damage control for CBS? The Wall Street Journal’s OpinionJournal
reports the following bomb:
With the scandal at CBS still festering, questions are being raised
about whether a felony was committed when the network broadcast
apparently forged memos in an attempt to discredit George W. Bush.
Yesterday, the chairman of CBS's parent company chose Hong Kong as a
place to drop a little bomb. Sumner Redstone, who calls himself a
"liberal Democrat," said he's supporting President Bush.
The chairman of the entertainment giant Viacom said the reason was
simple: Republican values are what U.S. companies need. Speaking to
some of America's and Asia's top executives gathered for Forbes
magazine's annual Global CEO Conference, Mr. Redstone declared: "I
look at the election from what's good for Viacom. I vote for what's
good for Viacom. I vote, today, Viacom.”
"I don't want to denigrate Kerry," he went on, "but from a Viacom
standpoint, the election of a Republican administration is a better
deal. Because the Republican administration has stood for many things
we believe in, deregulation and so on. The Democrats are not bad
people. . . . But from a Viacom standpoint, we believe the election of
a Republican administration is better for our company."
Sharing the stage with Mr. Redstone was Steve Forbes, CEO, president
and editor in chief of Forbes and a former Republican presidential
aspirant, who quipped: "Obviously you're a very enlightened CEO."
Kerry’s weakness: fighting terrorism
Fighting terrorism is where Sen. John Kerry shows the weakest in
polls. However, Kerry continues to try and become a credible terrorist
fighter. The Boston Globe reports that the Kerry campaign is going to
release a seven-point plan to fight terrorism today.
The Kerry campaign is also releasing a fifth new and different TV ad
in six days. The new ad attacks Bush’s handling of the war on
terrorism. [LINK
to see ad] The ad states:
Narrator: "George Bush keeps telling us things are getting better in
Iraq. The facts tell a different story. Terrorists are pouring into
the country. Attacks on U.S. forces are increasing every month. A
thousand American soldiers have died. We need a fresh start to fix the
mess in Iraq. The Kerry Solution: Allies share the burden. Train
Iraqis to protect themselves. Take the real steps needed to hold free
elections. John Kerry. A new direction in Iraq."
John Kerry: "I’m John Kerry and I approved this message."
Kerry may have a problem with the old flip-flop aspect of this story
as The Washington Times’ Inside the Beltway [LINK]
reports that a tape from CNN has been produced that has Kerry arguing
in favor of a preemptive strike against Iraq:
"We know we can't count on the French. We know we can't count on the
Russians," said Mr. Kerry. "We know that Iraq is a danger to the
United States, and we reserve the right to take pre-emptive action
whenever we feel it's in our national interest."
Trust in media at all time low
The Washington Times [LINK]
reports on how the press is not trusted:
A Gallup poll released yesterday finds that the public's trust in the
press has reached its lowest point in three decades. Only 9 percent of
those surveyed said they had a "great deal" of confidence that news
was reported fully, accurately and fairly in print and broadcast
outlets.
An additional 39 percent said they had little confidence, and 16
percent said they had "none at all." Some were more tolerant: 35
percent said they had "a fair amount" of trust.
Tonight at 7 p.m. eastern, tune into MSNBC's "Hardball" where host
Chris Matthews will debate John O'Neill, member of Swift Boat Veterans
for Truth and author of "Unfit for Command," the #1 New York Times
bestseller.
In other news, the SwiftVets' newest television spot makes public a
secret meeting between John Kerry and enemy leaders of North Vietnam.
According to the Kerry campaign, the clandestine meeting occurred in
Paris in May 1970.
"Kerry's meeting with leaders of North Vietnam came at a time when our
men were still in prison camps," said Rear Admiral Roy Hoffmann,
founder of Swift Boat Veterans for Truth. "Kerry's meeting gave
credibility to the communist regime's wartime propaganda efforts and
extended the imprisonment of our POWs by two years," said RADM
Hoffmann.
"Our newest ad highlights a continuing pattern by Senator Kerry of
placing his personal ambitions above the interests of our nation,"
said Mr. O'Neill, author if Unfit for Command. "When he secretly met
with the enemy in 1970, he did so at great detriment to his fellow
sailors, to our POWs, and to our nation. He undermined our war
effort, giving the enemy greater resolve and determination."
"More recently, his announcement to withdraw troops in Iraq
commencing in six months is caused by that very same political
expediency and has the very same effect. All he has done has given
terrorists the resolve to stick with it for another six months," said
O'Neill.
The new message is a $1.3 million advertising blitz reaching Americans
in Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Nevada and New Mexico.
View the new ad at
www.swiftvets.com <http://www.swiftvets.com>
where there is contact information for inquiries from the news media
and the public
The Associated Press [LINK]
reports that former CBS anchorman Walter Cronkite says the CBS forged
memos hit piece on President Bush is embarrassing...
"The reaction at the moment, of course, is embarrassment for everyone
who is connected to CBS, and that embarrassment, I hope, will be
squashed in time as we know what happened," Cronkite said.
Two men have been asked to handle the CBS internal investigation into
the mess. They are: Dick Thornburgh, attorney general in the Reagan
and first Bush administrations and former Pennsylvania governor, and
Louis D. Boccardi, who retired last year as president and chief
executive officer of The Associated Press. News sources report the
final conclusion should be made public within weeks.