WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is acknowledging that he and former President George W. Bush disagreed about the Iraq war from the beginning. But in his nationally televised address on the Iraq war, he pays tribute to Bush by calling him “a patriot.”
Obama spoke by telephone with Bush hours before Tuesday night’s Oval Office address. The White House did not disclose what was said.
In the address, Obama said that although it is widely known that the two disagreed about the war, no one could doubt Bush’s support for U.S. troops, his love for the U.S. and his commitment to the nation’s security.
Obama said there are patriots who supported the war and patriots who opposed it.
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MIKEBIRK
Posted on September 6, 2010 at 11:36pmbho will not say anything unless there is an ulterior motive for it. I suspect it is that he and his ilk are so far down in the polls, he will say anything to aatract the mods on both side of the fence. But it isn’t going to work.VOTE in NOV. make your self usefull that day and make sure an elderly neighbor or shutin gets to the polls.
Report Post »JonKernPA
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:24amOk, maybe by the strict definition of the word (”show gratitude, respect, or admiration”)…
But I would expect a tribute to be more about *thanking* President Bush for specific actions related to Iraq. Maybe President Obama doesn’t think President Bush deserves praise, or maybe PBO‘s ego won’t allow praise of others.
To say that Pres. Bush supported the troops is, well, like saying “rain is wet.”
IMHO, I wouldn’t even say that t was a “mild” tribute. It was a statement of fact.
Report Post »Narya
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:04amI for one would have found it classy that he referred to Bush in a positive matter, if I didn’t think that it was for a completely political cause. He is trying to set himself up as more moderate in anticipation for the turn of tide in November. He is going to have to be a little more discreet with his ideologies if he is going to accomplish much more toward his socialist goals in this term. His only hope is to win the people back, and hold their loyalty, and his suposed likability over the heads of what I assume will be a mostly newly formed congress.
Report Post »levelheaded
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 10:03amAt least we got those pesky WMDs!
Report Post »missmarie
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 9:40amI fail to understand what is so controversial about such a carefully crafted, specifically scripted and very vague, generalized statement. It was probably very difficult for the President to even utter those words that I’m certain someone else wrote for him. I won’t be spending very much time trying to analyze his motives. In the grand scheme of life, his words and the words of many politicians are meaningless to me…I’ve heard it all….Now, if we can begin to truly love each other, reach out to each other regardless of our disagreements or demographics, and treat each other with the dignity and respect all humans deserve at all times – well, then I’ll pay more attention.
Report Post »GulfCoastGirl
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 9:30amI remember the last 2 years of GWB presidency, everytime a camera or microphone was in the face of Hillary Clinton, or Nancy Pelosi or any democrat, they just couldn’t help but degrade and humiliate the man and his administration. It was part of the plan to get the Dems elected. The media just joined in on the Bush Bashing Party and now everyone who bought into it has a terrible opinion about him.
Report Post »JSH1oneFANBECK
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:28amOBAMA THE GREAT DIVIDER & IS A ANTI AMERICAN ANTI WHITE ANTI CHRISTIANITY BITTER PRESIDENT !
Report Post »A1955Rosie
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:25amI find it extremely difficult to believe that the remarks of potus were not based on his own low numbers vs really meaning the positive recognition. It’s sooo out of character.
Report Post »patriotgal
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:21amI remember during the last 2 years of Clinton that most talking heads in the political arena was saying the economy was bad and that whoever won would face some big challenges. Pres George Bush ran and won a very nasty political race and then we had the famous protested election results in hanging,dimple,pregant chads and then a press that attacked him daily as someone that stole the election from Gore. The democrats in Washington held up appointments of Pres Bush for months and some for years with not even having votes on the floor and he didn’t have the super majority that Obama got. They wouldn’t look into Frannie and Freddie when Pres Bush and Republicans wanted it. Where are the investigations of Raines and Johnson? Former Ceo’s who supported Obama and walked away with millions of dollars in bonuses and where supporters of him. Then in the first few months we had 9/11 and Pres Bush had to deal with our National Security and still faced a press that attacked him daily from everything and lets not forget when Pres Bush went to his home in Crawford on vacations we had wall to wall coverage of Cindy Shehan and code pink attacking him over the war The press is still giving Obama a free pass on everything. Everyday when our Brave Troops suffered casualties the press attacked Pres Bush and Obama is not even getting the same treatment. Our Troops should have never been a liberal democrat’s tool to attack Pres Bush. Obama was using his liberal ideology to attack Pres Bush also. The liberals do not care about our troops and the only reason he went on TV last night was to appease his base. He knows he has lost the majority of Independents and lots of Conservative Democrats over his outrageous spending and government take over. The mid-terms are quickly approaching and they know they may lose their super majority and may even lose it in the Senate and House. I will give Obama and the liberal’s credit for awakening a sleeping giant that should never go to sleep again. Pres Bush was not perfect and no man is a President puts in place a good team and leads our country in a good direction. Obama has put in place a team of communist and Marxist and is leading our country away from everything it was born on a Republic of “We The People” and not the imperial government in charge over our lives of Liberty and Justice. The democrats have been in control of house since elections in 2006 and they want to blame Pres Bush for everything. The house controls the purse or wallet and investigations not the President. Maybe the Senate and House should learn to read the bills they pass. The people are reading and getting informed now. Glen Beck has been teaching a majority on issues and bringing light to what’s happening in our country. Thank you Glen and countless others that are not keeping silent.
Report Post »Boldnfresh
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 9:01amObama did it the right way – he should have called for the arrest of GWB and Cheney for war crimes and for sending 4000 American men to their deaths, instead he stayed true to his plan for withdrawal and honored the military for their effort. This war of choice and Afghanistan have destroyed our economy and put us in a worse position in the Middle East with Iran and Israel. He should thank GWB for that, but as always he took the high road – recognizing that GWB will face his judgement elsewhere.
Report Post »SlightlyOffAxis
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 7:42amPeople have a very short memory especially when it comes to feelings. I believe the president will moderate his rhetoric against Bush over the next several months for two reasons. One to attempt to mitigate the likely damage of the upcoming election and two to begin to set a tone of willingness to work with the majority party if it becomes more conservative. Does that mean he will sacrifice his ideology, no, but he will have to advance it in different ways. We love ideologists except when they are not ours.
Report Post »patriotgal
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:28amYou are so right !!!
Report Post »ConservativeNH
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 7:13amI have to agree with those on here labeling either Bush or Obama as “worst President in history.” History is a long, long time and there are many presidents (Buchanan for sure is at the top of my list, along with Pierce and Carter) who certainly earn the moniker of Worst President Ever before either of these two guys. In twenty or thirty years, as history judges their impact, then we can have this discussion, but we’re far too close to properly judge since the impact of their decisions are still being felt.
Report Post »A generation or more has to be removed in order to properly determine their impact on history. Until then, it’s just foolish name-calling.
chuckh
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 6:52amAt least with George Bush you never doubted his loyalty to America. I wish I could say the say for Obama.
I wonder what Obama said to Bush on his telephone conversation. If only Obama had some class to match his rather large ego, I might start to listen to his speeches.
Report Post »patriotgal
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:32amMaybe he needed President Bush’s ok for him to speak about him in a slightly good way
Report Post »scivortep
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 4:57amyou should be ashamed of such a vulgar screen name! who let you in here? your comments are fine, you SN is a disgrace
Report Post »terridear1
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 4:39amFLASH!!!! After 18 months of character assasiation Obama pays Bush a Compliment! Iraq has all the elements to form a democracy except for a corrupt military in bed with the president. I am just waiting for it to fall because we withdrew to early. All the people that trusted us will be killed. The should have put special ops on that Iraqi Presidents backside and found a decent ruler that was Pro american.
Report Post »matthew73
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:02amBush was bad….what is your thoughts on Reagan??
Report Post »Zaphod
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 7:26amReagan was the last GREAT MAN this country had as president. He wasn’t perfect (none of the great one’s were) … but he had a vision for the country that was clear and undeniable … and it matched with the original intent of the founding of this country.
Plus, he had DECADES of speeches and writings that clearly defined who he was as a man.
Report Post »Sunnyr
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:01amHis tepid, pathetic attempt to be a real man was very disturbing. I am counting the days until he is OUT!! Poor Barry is totally clueless.
Report Post »Gossomerwings
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:33amIn his speech tonight Obama acted like a coward.
He now has the benefit of 18 months of briefings and Intel. He knows the lefts use of propaganda about ‘Bush lied” was a purely political and no basis.
His ego and severe level of narcissism could not allow himself to even state the surge was successful and our Troops secured the liberation of millions!
But the absolute bottom came when this man sat in the Oval Office on such a historical benchmarking moment in a country’s war record and troops sacrifice and made the segway into the economy .
Bold faced lied to American electorate about war costs related to massive deficits! His own stimulus has spent more than the cost of the Iraq war to date, Obamacare will additionally cost over a trillion!
The level of intellectual dishonesty is stunning.
Report Post »Where will the funds go that were going into the theater of Iraq?
They will be diverted to Afghanistan war that is where not home to pay deficit!
Ellie
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:49amCome on now, give Obama some credit for at least saying that much. Even though I doubt that he truly believes it I give him credit for being man enough to say it.
Thecute1
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:45amWhy the venom? The report merely quoted what the president said. Nothing ugly. In his 18 months in office, he blamed Bush for many things, some rightly, some not. In this case,he acknowledged Bush’s contribution and tied himself to his coattails. What’s wrong with that? Why so angry?
KansasPatriot
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:51amThe worst President in history spoke tonight.
untilthird
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:21amYOU HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD WITH THAT ONE KansasPatriot!
yEAh and if we lied and lied like he does they would have our asses in prison, that is the truth!!! I SAY IMPEACH HIM NOW, DONT LET HIM KEEP SCREWING UP OUR COUNTRY, HE WASNT EVEN BORN HERE, WHERE THE HELL IS HIS BIRTH CERT.? IT WILL TAKE 10 OR 20 YEARS TO FIX WHAT HE AND HIS “BUDDIES” HAVE DONE IN 2 YEARS!!!!!!!!!
ssommers
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 4:42amwow really! worst president in the history of our country? are you kidding me!?! this is just like every democrat and republican debate! blaming each other for the problems and always saying that the other one sucks at doing whatever it is they are doing! god you are all so childlike arguing over whos party and elected officer is more stupid! grow up! however in my opinion i think they both really have many faults! i didnt agree with almost all of bush’s decisions however i am not a fan of the socialist ether! its time we wake up in america and stop blindly following people! we need to realize what it is that we need in this country and go for it! i think the majority of america knows what we need however they are blinded by those they follow(political, religious, or otherwise). when we take the blinders off and stop following the shepard we can see for ourselves what the world is and what we need, but until then we will continue to be in the situation of mediocre leaders and immature ramblings!
Report Post »TotallyBelievableGuy
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:35amThank you right-wing, reactionary, regressive media for focusing solely on semantics instead of focusing on the point of the speech.
You‘re NOTHING like that darn lamestream media are ’ya?
matthew73
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 2:56amFinding everything OK? For someone who hates this stuff you sure went through the trouble to log in. Barry stinks….for the first time in my adult life I am ASHAMED of my president!! Dumber than Bush and I did not like him.
Jim814
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 12:20pmSemantics or nuance?
Remember that buzz word? You should it was one of yours.
Report Post »BlazingMad
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:27amTo bad Obama is NOT a patriot… he is an ANTI-patriot.
TotallyBelievableGuy
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 1:33amYeah, that’s why he ran for president, because he wants to destroy the country that brought him to power…. that makes alot of sense, dumbass.
here’s a clue: if you’re gonna obamabash, do it in a way that makes any ******* sense.
matthew73
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 3:01amTO fundamentally transform it??? That MUST be why he loves it. Quit with the rhetoric and bring the facts….if not we “might” have 8 percent unemployment…..of course that is IF we don’t follow this unexperienced puppet.
RedManWalking
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 7:13amBack when The Honolulu Advertiser existed and had the only Hawaii Community Discussion Board I constantly posted with pride that George W. Bush is the best president of my lifetime. You know that cartoon of the Israeli soldier standing in front of the child and the Hamas “soldier”(?) standing in back of the child provides a description of honor versus disgrace. Ask yourself now which president honors the US Constitution and which one disgraces it? For me the answer is easy, the best one honors it.
goldenrule
Posted on September 1, 2010 at 8:28amThe reaction to the rally tells me we really HAVE WON.