During an interview, President George W. Bush said his biggest regret is intelligence failure in Iraq.
A lot of people put their reputations on the line and said the weapons of mass destruction is a reason to remove Saddam Hussein. It wasn't just people in my administration; a lot of members in Congress, prior to my arrival in Washington D.C., during the debate on Iraq, a lot of leaders of nations around the world were all looking at the same intelligence. And, you know, that's not a do-over, but I wish the intelligence had been different, I guess.
Golly, his southern drawl and cute grandpa face makes my heart smile…until I actually listen to what comes out of his mouth. Of course it was a lot of people who said a lot of nonsense about WMDs, but it was Bush who signed off on it and it is he that should have fired someone for this lapse in intelligence.
This interview was the first in a series of what the White House calls “exit interviews,” which will continue throughout the next several weeks. I give the man props for trying to exit with a little humanity and remorse, but it’s too little too late. He will always be remembered as the president who couldn’t put a sentence together, who justified every mistake (until the very end) and who declared an unsuccessful war.
Bush never really seemed to be a thoughtful man, but this isn’t unusual behavior near the end of a president’s term. Lyndon Johnson had this same introspective attitude because he was haunted by the Vietnam War. He never acknowledged that it was a mistake, but you definitely saw remorse at the end of his term when he decided not to run.
I suppose Bush will head to his ranch in Texas to hide out until he keels over. Goodbye, good luck, good riddance.
Although I am not one to say Bush was a smart man - because he isn't - you just never know the full answer to a situation like this. A lot of things happen behind the scenes that the public never knows. Who knows what could be happening in the White House.
ReplyDeletePresident Eisenhower used to pretend to be an idiot in office. He would answer questions like "I'm too slow for something like that, ask so and so..." When in fact he was a political genius. He played behind the scenes and put up a front of an innocent idiot - and the press ate it up.
However, I'm not saying that Bush is an Eisenhower. I'm just giving food for thought.
I'm not a Bush fan myself, but I do respect that he admits some of his biggest regrets, most importantly the Iraq war that so many people disagree with. I also believe it is a bit late to apologize for his mistakes but I suppose it's better late than never in this case. As far as his legacy goes, you got it right, watching him as president was like watching a slow motion car accident. His poor public speaking ability and choices he made as president will always be remembered, but I will give him some credit for being president during 9/11, obviously a difficult time for any president.
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ReplyDeleteThe greatest thing about the initial quote is the "..., I guess" at the end. He doesnt even sound completely sure he would want it the other way.
ReplyDeleteAnother great moment is when Bush claimed that 40 or so days after the War in Iraq was initiated, that major combat operations had ended. Yet, somehow we are STILL over there and have suffered more troop losses SINCE he made that statement.
He was led to believe and simultaneously led others to believe that the war would be quick and decisive, when it has been anything but. I just wonder who is pulling his strings, unless he is just that hard-headed.
People enter into situations with an entire tool bag of motivations. Regardless of the publicized reasons for entering into the Iraq War, removing Sadaam from power is an ultimately good thing. What is wrong with the ends justifying the means when it means more people will live and democracy will have fighting chance? Bush was screwed from the beginning, entering into a region torn for centuries by religious conflict. There is no easy way in and there will be no easy way out. While I don't agree with a lot of the Bush administration's decision (and I do mean a lot),they he couldn't have done any better.
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