NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — insurgency — 2003 — 03-july — Viewing Item

Bush says bring them on { July 3 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/03/national1535EDT0647.DTL http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/news/archive/2003/07/03/national1535EDT0647.DTL Democrats assail Bush's 'bring them on' comment ALEX ORTOLANI, Associated Press Writer Thursday, July 3, 2003 ©2003 Associated Press (07-03) 15:04 PDT CONCORD, N.H. (AP) -- Democratic presidential hopefuls stepped up their criticism of President Bush Thursday, saying the commander in chief's "bring them on" comment regarding Iraqi forces amounted to taunting the enemy. During a campaign appearance in New Hampshire, Dick Gephardt said Bush's comments were hardly presidential, and he complained that the president has not leveled with the American people about how tough the war's aftermath would be. The lawmaker argued that the Bush administration has mishandled postwar Iraq by failing to enlist the help of the United Nations and NATO, two organizations that could provide manpower and financial aid. "We're losing soldiers every day, and he is not putting together the international help and the international coalition to deal with this problem," the Missouri congressman said. "He doesn't deal with other countries well, and there's an arrogance, there's a state of mind in thinking that drives people away rather than bringing them in to help us." Last fall, Gephardt, then the House Minority leader, worked closely with the administration in crafting a congressional resolution that would give Bush the authority to use military force to oust Saddam Hussein and rid Iraq of its weapons. But Gephardt has been critical of Bush since major combat ended, and took issue with the comments the president made Wednesday. Bush said American troops under fire in Iraq aren't about to pull out, and he challenged those considering attacks on U.S. forces, saying "bring them on." "He's president -- you don't taunt the enemy," Gephardt told a group of about 35 at the state library. "You try to keep our troops safe, you try to help them in what they're doing .... This phony, macho business is not getting us where we need to be." Administration officials said Bush's tone was not meant to invite attacks on U.S. troops, but rather to express confidence in the strength of the U.S. military. One of Gephardt's rivals for the nomination, Bob Graham, criticized Bush's remark during a campaign stop in New Hampshire. The Florida senator said the phrase "may be appropriate for a referee in a Las Vegas boxing match, but not for the man we trust to lead our men and women who are in harm's way." Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts said Bush's comment was "unwise, unworthy of the office and his role as commander in chief, and unhelpful to American soldiers under fire." "The deteriorating situation in Iraq requires less swagger and more thoughtfulness and statesmanship," Kerry said in a statement. On Wednesday, Howard Dean, a vocal opponent of the war, called Bush's comment "incredibly reckless rhetoric." "These men and women are risking their lives every day, and the president who sent them on this mission showed tremendous insensitivity to the dangers they face," the former Vermont governor said. ©2003 Associated Press

2 us soldiers die in attacks 3 us troops die guarding convoy 4 more killed 6 wounded Americans death toll like 1991 war { July 8 2003 } Attacks injure 7 us troops Bush says bring them on { July 3 2003 } Deaths passes 1991 war Iraq become guerrilla war { July 16 2003 } Iraqi police tell us troops get out { July 10 2003 } Six soldiers wounded Us soldier killed in iraq attack Us soldier killed rpg attack { July 16 2003 } Files Listed: 12

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