At an event in Louisville, Kentucky Wednesday afternoon, President George W. Bush said that “I expect there to be an honest debate about Iraq” and he urged people to be “mindful about what messages out of the country can do to the morale of our troops.” He went on to “welcome the voices of people saying, you know, ‘Mr. President, you shouldn't have made that decision,’ or, you know, ‘you should have done it a better way,’” but castigated those who say “‘he lied.’ Or, ‘they're in there for oil.’ Or ‘they're doing it because of Israel.’ That's the kind of debate that basically says the mission and the sacrifice were based on false premise.”
But on Wednesday’s World News Tonight, Martha Raddatz centered an entire story around, in response to the question of “How can people help on the war on terror?", this soundbite from Bush: "One way people can help as we're coming down the pike in the 2006 elections, is remember the effect that rhetoric can have on our troops in harm's way." That was all viewers heard from Bush -- nothing about how he was specifically admonishing politicians against derisive “Bush lied/war for oil/blame the Jews” hate speech. Nonetheless, Raddatz then moved to discredit Bush’s point by highlighting how “Marine Corps reservist Andrew Horne, a two-time Iraq veteran and now a congressional candidate” asserted that “the President is attempting to limit debate about the war because it is not going well." Horne then denounced Bush for trying to censor the very kind of “honest” analysis Bush specifically said was within bounds: "I don't think, you know, honest criticism damages morale at all, you know. When I was there, it didn't damage my morale one bit."
Raddatz recited how nine of eleven Iraq war vets running for Congress are Democrats, before she wrapped up: "The Republicans are clearly worried about some of these candidates and the war in Iraq, or the President wouldn't keep making these speeches, Bob." Co-anchor Bob Woodruff then endorsed her spin: "Good point.” (Transcripts follow.)
The White House Web site provided a transcript of the exchange in question which came in the next to last question to Bush at the noontime (local time) event held at the Kentucky International Convention Center:
Bush: “How old are you?”
Boy: “Seven.”
Bush: “Okay. That's good.” (Laughter.)
Boy: “How can people help on the war on terror?”
Bush: “Well, that's the hardest question I've had all day. (Laughter.) First of all, I expect there to be an honest debate about Iraq, and welcome it. People can help, however, by making sure the tone of this debate is respectful and is mindful about what messages out of the country can do to the morale of our troops. (Applause.)
“I fully expect in a democracy -- I expect and, frankly, welcome the voices of people saying, you know, Mr. President, you shouldn't have made that decision, or, you know, you should have done it a better way. I understand that. What I don't like is when somebody said, he lied. Or, they're in there for oil. Or they're doing it because of Israel. That's the kind of debate that basically says the mission and the sacrifice were based on false premise. It's one thing to have a philosophical difference -- and I can understand people being abhorrent about war. War is terrible. But one way people can help as we're coming down the pike in the 2006 elections, is remember the effect that rhetoric can have on our troops in harm's way, and the effect that rhetoric can have in emboldening or weakening an enemy.
“So that was a good question. Thank you. (Applause.)”
The MRC’s Brad Wilmouth caught the January 11 World News Tonight story and provided this transcript:
Anchor Bob Woodruff: "And now to the war in Iraq and the politics that surrounds it. President Bush went to Kentucky today, where he delivered another strong message to critics of his Iraq policy: Be careful what you say. But there was also a very important political reason that he chose that state to make his point. Here's ABC's chief White House correspondent, Martha Raddatz."
Martha Raddatz: "None of the questions posed to the President in Louisville today was particularly challenging, but the President wanted to make a point. And it was a seven-year-old who gave him the opportunity."
Unidentified boy: "How can people help on the war on terror?"
Raddatz: "But one of the biggest critics in Louisville has already been in harm's way -- twice. Marine Corps reservist Andrew Horne, a two-time Iraq veteran and now a congressional candidate, is challenging the Republican incumbent in this district. He said today the President is attempting to limit debate about the war because it is not going well."
Retired Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Horne, Democratic congressional candidate: "I don't think, you know, honest criticism damages morale at all, you know. When I was there, it didn't damage my morale one bit."
Raddatz: "Horne is one of eleven veterans of the war in Iraq running for Congress. Nine of them are Democrats, including Patrick Murphy in Pennsylvania, Paul Hackett, who is seeking a Senate seat in Ohio, and Tammy Duckworth in Illinois."
Tammy Duckworth, Democratic congressional candidate, to people on a sidewalk: "I'm a veteran of the Iraqi war."
Raddatz, over video of Duckworth’s artificial legs: "Duckworth lost both her legs and the use of one arm when her helicopter was shot down outside of Baghdad."
Retired Major Tammy Duckworth, Democratic congressional candidate, on the December 18 This Week: "I think it's time to come up with an aggressive plan for how we're going to bring our troops home."
Raddatz, with the White House in the background: "The Republicans are clearly worried about some of these candidates and the war in Iraq, or the President wouldn't keep making these speeches, Bob."
Woodruff: "Good point. Martha Raddatz from Washington tonight, thank you."
