Bush Forcefully Attacks Iraq Critics - Yahoo! News:
"Accusing his critics of making false charges, Bush said: "These baseless attacks send the wrong signal to our troops and to an enemy that is questioning America's will.
... In a speech in Philadelphia, Sen. Rick Santorum (news, bio, voting record), R-Pa., criticized how the war has been presented to Americans — both by the media and the White House. Afterward, Santorum said the war has been "less than optimal" and "maybe some blame could be laid" at the White House. "Certainly, mistakes were made," Santorum said.
... 'It's a dangerous day for our national security when an administration's word is no good,' Kerry said.
Bush chose to go on the road this Veterans Day to make his forceful defense of the war, leaving Cheney in Washington to attend traditional wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery.
Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., accused Bush of using Veterans Day as 'a campaign-like attempt to rebuild his own credibility by tearing down those who seek the truth about the clear manipulation of intelligence in the run-up to the Iraq War.'
Bush's political adviser Karl Rove, who is still under the cloud of the CIA leak investigation, hopped Air Force One to attend the speech, an indication that it was a political event.
Bush shared the stage with a tan Army depot vehicle, and banners behind him read 'Strategy for Victory.' 'Hail to the Chief,' which is rarely played to mark Bush's arrival, blared from speakers in the warehouse."
- posted by geoff @ #