Thanks Lane3...Here's more of that transcript...Text of President Bush's remarks at a news conference on Wednesday...
Posted on Wed, Nov. 08, 2006
mercurynews.com
Associated Press
[KLP note: I am responding to Lane 3’s partial piece of this entire article……I too have put only a partial of the transcript, and it is worth reviewing….For instance, I had NOT heard the beginning of his remarks, and most media certainly didn’t go out of their way to do a transcript and print it….certainly not the so called “MSM”….. And further, it really didn't sound like Bush was "lying" as was said by another poster. This explains better his position on Rumsfeld, and I do thank you for the link for the whole thing.
Text of President Bush's remarks at a news conference on Wednesday, as transcribed by CQ Transcriptions:
>>>>>>>>>>>snip>>>>>>>>>The election has changed many things in Washington, but it has not changed my fundamental responsibility, and that is to protect the American people from attack.
As the commander in chief, I take these responsibilities seriously. And so does the man who served this nation honorably for almost six years as our secretary of defense, Donald Rumsfeld.
Now, after a series of thoughtful conversations, Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that the timing is right for new leadership at the Pentagon.
Our military has experienced an enormous amount of change and reform during the last five years while fighting the war on terror; one of the most consequential wars in our nation's history.
Don Rumsfeld has been a superb leader during a time of change. Yet he also appreciates the value of bringing in a fresh perspective during a critical period in this war.
Don Rumsfeld's a patriot who's served our country with honor and distinction. He is a trusted adviser and a friend, and I'm deeply grateful to his service to our country.
I've asked Bob Gates to serve as the secretary of defense. Bob is the former director of the CIA and current president of Texas A&M University.
If confirmed by the Senate, Bob will bring more than 25 years of national security experience and a stellar reputation as an effective leader with sound judgment.
He's served six presidents, from both political parties, and rose from an entry-level employee in the CIA to become the director of central intelligence.
During his service at the CIA and at the National Security Council Bob Gates gained firsthand knowledge that will help him meet the challenges and opportunities that our country faces during the next two years.
He is serving as a member of the Baker-Hamilton commission. He is a steady, solid leader who can help make the necessary adjustments in our approach to meet our current challenges.
I will have more to say about Secretary Rumsfeld and Bob Gates later today here at the White House.
----------snip-------?
Amid this time of change, I have a message for those on the front lines: To our enemies, do not be joyful. Do not confuse the workings of our democracy with a lack of will. Our nation is committed to bringing you to justice. Liberty and democracy are the source of America's strength, and liberty and democracy will lift up the hopes and desires of those you are trying to destroy.
To the people of Iraq: Do not be fearful.
As you take the difficult steps toward democracy and peace, America's going to stand with you. We know you want a better way of life, and now is the time to seize it.
To our brave men and women in uniform: <>b?Don't be doubtful.
America will always support you.
Our nation is blessed to have men and women who volunteer to serve and are willing to risk their own lives for the safety of our fellow citizens.
When I first came to Washington nearly six years ago, I was hopeful I could help change the tone here in the capital. As governor of Texas, I had successfully worked with both Democrats and Republicans to find common-sense solutions to the problems facing our state.
While we made some progress on changing the tone, I'm disappointed we haven't made more. I'm confident that we can work together. I'm confident that we can overcome the temptation to divide this country between red and blue.
The issues before us are bigger than that and we are bigger than that.
By putting this election and partisanship behind us, we can launch a new era of cooperation and make these next two years productive ones for the American people.
I appreciate your interest. Now I'll answer some questions.
Q: Thank you, Mr. President.
Does the departure of Don Rumsfeld signal a new direction in Iraq? A solid majority of Americans said yesterday that they wanted some American troops, if not all, withdrawn from Iraq. Did you hear that call? And will you heed it?
BUSH: I'd like our troops to come home too, but I want them to come home with victory. And that is a country that can govern itself, sustain itself and defend itself.
I mean, I can understand Americans saying, Come home. But I don't know if they said: Come home and leave behind an Iraq that could end up being a safe haven for al-Qaida. I don't believe they said that.
And so I'm committed to victory. I'm committed to helping this country so that we can come home.
Now, the first part about...
Q: New direction...
BUSH: Oh, new direction. Well, there's certainly going to be new leadership at the Pentagon. And, as I mentioned in my comments, that Secretary Rumsfeld and I agreed that, sometimes, it's necessary to have a fresh perspective.
And Bob Gates will bring a fresh perspective. He'll also bring great managerial experience.
And he is - I had a good talk with him on Sunday in Crawford. I hadn't - it took me a while to be able to sit down and visit with him. And I did. And I found him to be of like mind. He understands we're in a global war against these terrorists. He understands that defeat is not an option in Iraq.
And I believe it's important that there be a fresh perspective, and so does Secretary Rumsfeld.
Q: Thank you, Mr. President.
Last week you told us that Secretary Rumsfeld would be staying on. Why is the timing right now for this? And how much does it have to do with the election results?
BUSH: Right.
No, you and Hunt and Keil came in the Oval Office and you asked - Hunt asked me the question one week before the campaign, and basically it was: You going to do something about Rumsfeld and the vice president? And my answer was, you know, they're going to stay on.
And the reason why is I didn't want to inject a major decision about this war in the final days of a campaign.
And so the only way to answer that question and to get you onto another question was to give you that answer.
The truth of the matter is, as well - I mean, that's one reason I gave the answer. But the other reason why is I hadn't had a chance to visit with Bob Gates yet, and I hadn't had my final conversation with Don Rumsfeld yet, at that point.
I have been talking with Don Rumsfeld over a period of time about fresh perspective. He likes to call it fresh eyes. He, himself, understands that Iraq is not working well enough, fast
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Q: Mr. President, thank you.
Can I just start by asking you to clarify, sir, if in your meeting with Steve and Terry and Dick, did you know at that point...
BUSH: I did not.
Q: ... you would be making a change on Secretary Rumsfeld?
BUSH: No, I did not. And the reason I didn't know is because I hadn't visited with his replacement - potential replacement.
Q: But you knew he would be leaving, just not who would replace him?
BUSH: No, I didn't know that, at the time.
Q: OK. May I ask you about Nancy Pelosi...
BUSH: The other thing I did know, as well, is that that kind of question, a wise question by a seasoned reporter...
(LAUGHTER)
... is the kind of thing that causes one to either inject major military decisions at the end of a campaign or not.
And I had made the decision that I wasn't going to be talking about hypothetical troops levels or changes in command structure coming down the stretch.
And I'll tell you why I made that decision. I made that decision because I think it sends a bad signal to our troops if they think the commander in chief is constantly adjusting tactics and decisions based upon politics. And I think it's important in a time of war that, to the extent possible, we leave politics out of the major decisions being made.
And it was the right decision to make, by the way.
And secondly, I hadn't visited with Bob Gates. I told you, I visited with him last Sunday in Crawford. You can't replace somebody until you know you've got somebody to replace him with.
And, finally, I hadn't had my last conversation with Secretary Rumsfeld, which I had yesterday. |
