Wednesday, January 26, 2005

The president has gotten a lot better (and seemingly more comfortable) at not answering any questions

QUESTION: Mr. President, in the debate over Dr. Rice's confirmation, Democrats came right out and accused you and the administration of lying in the run up to the war in Iraq. Republicans, in some cases, conceive it that mistakes have been made.

Now that the election is over, are you willing to conceive that any mistakes were made? And how do you feel about that?

BUSH: Let me talk about Dr. Rice. You asked about her confirmation.

Dr. Rice is an honorable, fine public servant who needs to be confirmed. She will be a great secretary of state.

And Dr. Rice and I look forward to moving forward. We look forward to working to make sure the Iraqis have got a democracy. We look forward to continue to make sure Afghanistan is as secure as possible from potential Taliban resurgents. We look forward to spreading freedom around the world. And she is going to make a wonderful secretary of state.

QUESTION: No reaction to the lying?

No reaction?

(LAUGHTER)

BUSH: Is that your question? The answer's no.

BUSH: Next.
Of course the reporter didn't ask anything about Rice's confirmation. But look at the confidence and sureness the president had in taking the question and responding with psuedo-campaign fluff. That's progress.

# posted 10:12 AM