Bush Apologizes... Kinda?

Watch the VIDEO HERE of Bush admitting some mistakes during yesterday's press conference with Tony Blair. He confessed that "Bring 'em on" was the wrong thing to say, as was "dead or alive", and also mentioned Abu Ghraib as a mistake. My first thought is that if it wasn't on video... or TRANSCRIPTED here... I wouldn't believe it. After all, this is the same man who memorably remained silent when asked the exact same question during the 2004 campaign.

So why now? Why stay silent for four and a half years (re: dead or alive comment) and then suddenly concede so much at once? Could it be the scandals? Could it be the approval ratings? Could it be the upcoming elections? I mean forgive me for not accepting these admissions with open arms... after all, these concessions most likely came with Karl Rove's cloven-hoofed "stamp of approval".

But let's also remember what he's conceeding here. He said "wanted: dead or alive" in October 2001 in regards to Osama bin Laden. A man who (almost five years later) is still wanted by the United States, and continues to make his voice heard from time to time.

He said "bring 'em on" in July 2003, just as the Iraqi insurgency began it's almost daily attacks against U.S. Troops there. At the time of this statement, roughly 300 coalition troops had been killed. Since then, slightly more than 2,300 have sacrificed their lives. (NOTE: I've always found it interesting that Bush made this statement from the Roosevelt Room in the White House, some 6,000+ miles, and endless amounts of security, from where troops would bear the brunt of his statement.)

In addition, during today's press conference, Bush claimed that both of these statements were "misinterpreted" at the time in certain parts of the world. But were they? Or, in both cases, were they clearly interpreted by those Bush was speaking to... and have simply proven the President tragically wrong over time?

Let's also not forget the statements that were made following Bush's "bring 'em on" statement by Democrats:
Sen. Frank Lautenberg (D-N.J.) told the Washington Post, "I am shaking my head in disbelief. When I served in the Army in Europe during World War II, I never heard any military commander -- let alone the commander in chief -- invite enemies to attack U.S. troops." The senator added Bush's words were "tantamount to inciting and inviting more attacks against U.S. forces."

Rep. Richard Gephardt, a presidential candidate who supported the Iraq war, said he'd heard "enough of the phony macho rhetoric."

Howard Dean, the former Vermont governor and also a presidential hopeful, said Bush's words "showed tremendous insensitivity to the dangers" the troops face.

These comments were attacked by Republican mouthpieces from sea to shining sea in July 2003. I wonder how they'll "spin it" tomorrow?

A huge thanks to crooksandliars.com for the video.