Emotional Elder Bush Attacks Son's Critics

[jean]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040330/pl_nm/campaign_bush_father_dc&cid=615&ncid=2043

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It is "deeply offensive and contemptible" to hear "elites and intellectuals on the campaign trail" dismiss progress in Iraq since last year's overthrow of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, the elder Bush said in a speech to the National Petrochemical and Refiners Association annual convention.

"There is something ignorant in the way they dismiss the overthrow of a brutal dictator and the sowing of the seeds of basic human freedom in that troubled part of the world," he said.

The former president appeared to fight back tears as he complained about media coverage of the younger Bush that he called "something short of fair and balanced."
"It hurts an awful lot more when it's your son that is being criticized than when they used to get all over my case," said Bush, who has often complained about media coverage of both Bush presidencies.

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The former president, who waged the first Gulf War against Saddam in 1991, described progress in Iraq as "a miracle." "Iraq is moving forward in hope and not sliding back into despair and terrorism," he said.