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Bush Defends War, is Chided By Critic

Posted on: Friday, 7 April 2006, 06:00 CDT

By Jim Morrill, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

Apr. 7--Bush defends war,

is chided by critic

Jim Morrill

President Bush forcefully defended his war policies -- and got a fierce scolding -- during an appearance Thursday at Central Piedmont Community College.

Coming to a state where polls show his popularity eroded, the president stood by his decisions to fight the war on terror in Afghanistan and Iraq.

"War came to our shores on September the 11th," he told about 800 people in the college's Halton Theatre "It's a war we did not ask for. It's a war we did not want. But it's a war that I intend to deal with."

The war is one reason Bush's job rating has sunk in North Carolina, a state he twice carried by wide margins. A new poll by a conservative Raleigh think tank found 46 percent approve of his performance, while 42 percent support his handling of the war in Iraq.

Most of Thursday's audience, organized by the Charlotte World Affairs Council, was clearly supportive. They applauded, for example, when Bush said "removing Saddam Hussein was the right thing for world peace and the security of our country."

But the president got a different reaction when he took a question from Harry Taylor, a Charlotte real estate broker.

"While I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food," said Taylor, 61.

"If I were a woman, you'd like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice ... about whether I can abort a pregnancy."

"I'm not your favorite guy," Bush interrupted to laughter and applause. "Go on, what's your question?"

"What I wanted to say to you is that I -- in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened, by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency," Taylor continued. "And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of yourself. ... I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak. ... That is part of what this country is about."

"It is, yes," Bush replied.

He went on to defend what he calls the terrorist surveillance program. "Would I apologize for that?" he said. "The answer -- answer is, absolutely not."

The exchange punctuated what has become a new tack for the president, who has seen his approval ratings tumble around the country. After months of appearing before friendly, handpicked audiences, he began opening himself to critics last month at an appearance in Cleveland.

Not all the 10 questions he took Thursday were tough.

"I wanted to say to you, Mr. President, that on the war on terror, Social Security, the tax cuts, Dubai Ports, immigration, you have shown immense political courage," one woman said. "And also I wanted to know, what else would it take for me to get my picture taken with you?"

A man rose to tell the president that "many men and women in this room and around our region ... continue to pray for wisdom and encouragement for you and strength during these times."

Susan Burgess, a Democratic member of the Charlotte City Council, asked Bush about the federal deficit -- which reached a monthly high of $119 billion in February -- and "the effect that that will have on my children and grandchildren."

Bush replied that he would cut the deficit in half by 2009. He also defended tax cuts critics say contribute to the deficit, saying they've spurred economic growth. "Our strategy has, I think, been proven by the numbers," he said.

Bush made no mention of Thursday's reports that he authorized the release of portions of a classified prewar intelligence report on Iraq. The allegation was made in grand jury testimony by Lewis "Scooter" Libby, the former vice presidential aide charged with perjury and obstruction in a CIA leak case.

Instead, Bush focused on the war and his intention to see it through. "You defeat an ideology of darkness with an ideology of hope and light," he said. "And freedom and liberty are part of an ideology of light."

One questioner asked what, in hindsight, he would have done differently.

"Obviously, one classic case that hurt us that I wish were done differently was Abu Ghraib, the prison," Bush replied. "What took place there, and the pictures there, just represented everything we didn't stand for. And it hurt us."

Some listeners clearly liked what they heard.

"I've always been a strong supporter," said Phillip Vance of Matthews. "It was great that he had an opportunity to articulate why this war on terror is so important to the present and the future interests of this country."

-- Jim Morrill: (704) 358-5059

Bush to Write to Shot Police Officer

On the way to deliver his speech, President Bush learned about Kayvan Hazrati, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who was shot in the head Wednesday in the line of duty.

The president said he wanted to call the officer, Mayor Pat McCrory said.

Bush's personal physician first called Hazrati's doctor to see how the 37-year-old officer was doing. They determined Hazrati wasn't ready; he remained in serious condition Thursday.

"The president was extremely respectful," McCrory said. "And the president said, 'I understand completely. Let's write him a note.' "

The mayor said he's passing along the officer's address. -- Kytja Weir

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Charlotte Observer, N.C.

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Source: The Charlotte Observer (Charlotte, N.C.)

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