Bush Still Can’t Name A Single Mistake

[G_j]

In April 2004, President Bush was asked to name one mistake he had made since taking office and explain what he had learned from it. He couldn’t do it.

“Maybe I’m not as quick on my feet as I should be in coming up with one,”

A year and a half later, he still couldn’t bring himself to acknowledge a mistake.


QUESTION: Sir, you’ve shown a remarkable spirit of candor in the last couple of weeks in your conversations, speeches about Iraq. And I’m wondering if, in that spirit, I might ask you a question that you didn’t seem to have an answer for the last time you were asked.

And that is: What would you say is the biggest mistake you’ve made during your presidency, and what have you learned from it?

BUSH: Answering Dickerson’s question.

The last time those questions were asked, I really felt like it was an attempt for me to say it was a mistake to go into Iraq.

And it wasn’t a mistake to go into Iraq. It was the right decision to make.

I think that there’s going to be a lot of analysis done on the decisions on the ground in Iraq. For example, I’m fully aware that some have said it was a mistake not to put enough troops there immediately — or more troops.

I made my decision based upon the recommendations of Tommy Frank. And I still think it was the right decision to make. But history will judge.

I said the other day that a mistake was trying to train a civilian defense force and an Iraqi army at the same time, but not giving the civilian defense force enough training and tools necessary to be able to battle a group of thugs and killers. And so we adjusted.

And the point I’m trying to make to the American people in this, as you said, candid dialogue — I hope I’ve been candid all along — but, the candid dialogue, is to say we’re constantly changing our tactics to meet the changing tactics of an enemy. And that’s important for our citizens to understand.

http://thinkprogress.org/2005/12/19/bush-mistake/

[donheld]

1. He did all this on purpose

Of course he hasn't made mistakes.

[TheCowsCameHome]

2. Poppy and Babs made a mistake - there's no disputing that fact.

[ChairmanAgnostic]

3. he was prep'd practiced and PRAYING for that question. a set up.

as is the whole administration.

here is the key. If it seems convenient, it is.

[JuniperLea]

4. Next time.... "the last TWO times you were asked"

and so on, and so on, and so on...

[iowafarmgirl]

5. how much more....

can this country take of this "man"???? I am a newbie that has "trolled" for months, but cannot take any more of this administration's crap! The time has come......

[G_j]

7. Welcome!

thanks for adding your voice iowafarmgirl

yes the time has come!!

[JuniperLea]

8. Welcome to DU, iowafarmgirl!

My mom was an Iowa farm girl too:)

Yeah, we are all pretty fed up. Time to call and write all your government representatives. That's about all we can do at this level.

[Kadie]

9. Welcome to DU!

:hi:

[NanceGreggs]

11. Welcome aboard, iowafarmgirl!

We here at DU already LOVE your style!

:hi:

[TheCowsCameHome]

12. Welcome. Glad you're here.

[Maeve]

6. Sociopath/psychopath

I can't remember which term fits better, but...remember when he couldn't recite the "Fool me once, shame on you" line? It meant he'd have to say "shame on me". Ain't gonna happen.

No mistakes, no shame, no guilt.

[Poiuyt]

10. Don't exaggerate!

He said it was a mistake trading Sammy Sosa