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Bush Won't Attack Obama at Republican Convention
August 29, 2008 4:08 PM
ABC News' Jennifer Duck reports: During the heated 2008 presidential race, President Bush has never attacked Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., by name, and on Friday, Press Secretary Dana Perino told reporters the president has no plans to attack the Democratic presidential nominee when he addresses the Republican National Convention on Monday.
“Do not expect the speech to define the president's legacy. This is not an opportunity to recap accomplishments of the past seven and a half years. It will not serve as a farewell to the American people, and it certainly will not attack Barack Obama," Perino said.
One reporter asked "why not" and Perino replied with a laugh, "Because he's got class.”
In May, Bush launched a sharp attack on Obama and other Democrats, suggesting they favor "appeasement" of terrorists, but the president was careful not to use Obama's name directly while speaking to the Knesset on the 60th anniversary of Israel's statehood.
"Some seem to believe we should negotiate with terrorists and radicals, as if some ingenious argument will persuade them they have been wrong all along," Bush said during a visit to Jerusalem.
"We have heard this foolish delusion before. As Nazi tanks crossed into Poland in 1939, an American senator declared, 'Lord, if only I could have talked to Hitler, all of this might have been avoided.' We have an obligation to call this what it is -- the false comfort of appeasement, which has been repeatedly discredited by history."
Perino told reporters Bush didn't stay up to watch the Democratic presidential candidate's acceptance speech, but did catch the coverage today and congratulates Obama on his achievements.
“It speaks volumes for this country that it's an opportunity -- it's the land of opportunity for all people,” Perino said.
Bush also had kind words for Sen. John McCain's, R-Ariz., new running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin.
"Gov. Palin’s success is due to her dedication to principle and her roll-up-your-sleeves work ethic, and serves as a wonderful example of the spirit of America," Bush said in a written statement. "By selecting a working mother with a track record of getting things done, Sen. McCain has once again demonstrated his commitment to reforming Washington."
August 29, 2008 in Bush, George W., Palin, Sarah, Veepstakes, Vote 2008: Republicans, White House | Permalink | User Comments (75)
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Then Gillette may you and your commander in chief burn in hell. Please someone answer me. What has Bush done to make america a better place? I'm waiting.
Posted by: The White Man World. | Aug 29, 2008 5:57:01 PM
Is this gonna be like Bush telling us Saddam had nuclear weapons, just one big lie? McCain is a good man, he doesn't need Bush's meddling. The less Bush says the better for McCain. My fear is that Bush will now paint Iran as an imminent threat, but who's listening anyway.
Posted by: tom | Aug 29, 2008 6:01:23 PM
Bush attack? Without an army? No, the Coward in Chief will hold his tongue, thank you very much. I can't wait to hear him stutter and stumble through his "speech". He is the most miserable excuse for a president we have ever had, and thank God he's on his way out. Let's just hope McCain and his Alaskan understudy don't replace him.
Posted by: Jerry | Aug 29, 2008 6:12:04 PM
bush couldn't give a speech about his accomplishments because he would fill up about 30 seconds of the convention. Bush has such a small grip on reality that he can do nothing to bring another republican to the white house look to 2016 before a GOP candidate even has a chance, although palin would look good as political eye candy.
Posted by: mike | Aug 29, 2008 6:12:52 PM
Just add NLA --- OBAMA BIDEN -- OBAMA BIn laDEN.
Posted by: Sammy | Aug 29, 2008 6:28:39 PM
Im proud of our country now that we will have black leadership, black govenment,black power in the White House, and the whites, the spanish and indians will not count any more.
Posted by: Tom | Aug 29, 2008 7:08:08 PM
No matter what this man says or does not say gets sniverals all fired up. Bush exceedingly shows his class by not acting like trailer/ghetto trash. The deficit that so many whine about are a result of endless spending on social/welfare programs with the military budget and war a drop in the bucket in comparison. That democrats have selected a "grant writer" for their president over a well qualified woman and should he win we will all get to see a second Carter administration.
Posted by: david | Aug 29, 2008 7:42:17 PM
Smart move on Bush's part. He knows how low his approval ratings are and he has no political clout, Negative comments would only hurt McCain.
Posted by: AmericanWoman | Aug 29, 2008 8:06:20 PM
david---um what! all the programs you say cost so much were there when clinton left office and wow the budget was balanced and there was a surplus...no the war and huge tax cuts fro the super rich have robbed this nation. and bush should be tryed for crimes against humanity.
Posted by: tom | Aug 29, 2008 9:14:15 PM
This is a great photograph of Bush it will look good hanging in every post office in the country. Put there by the FBI as America's most wanted criminal.
Posted by: FBUSH | Aug 29, 2008 9:21:23 PM
What's going to be interesting is how the women of Americn respond to this election. You see, the women of American aren't stupid. We would love to have a woman be our Vice President, but we want our babies back home! Nice try, guys.
Posted by: JT | Aug 29, 2008 10:10:42 PM
That's AMERICA...oops!
Posted by: JT | Aug 29, 2008 10:12:15 PM
You watch how many innocent people join up with terrorist groups looking for payback because their families were killed. George Bush thinks everyone are terrorists. People fighting for their homes. Their land. And their always hiding where the oil is. I guess that's why he said he hasn't paid much attention to where Bin Laddan was.
Posted by: HemiHead | Aug 29, 2008 11:34:14 PM
There is a lot of ignorance going around on this blog. George Bush hasn't been the best president but since 9/11 we haven't had another attack, many have been thwarted and Al Qaeda has run to ground. Say what you want about Bush, you and the terrorist may hate him, but the terrorist respect him. They know that Bush means business. And did anyone go to the bank complaining about getting their stimulus checks? Our economy was booming, even during the Iraq war until Pelosi and the Democrats took over Congress 2 yrs ago. Instead of compaining about your glass being half empty, think of it as half full. We still live in the richest country in the world, we have cell phones, plasma TV's computers and internet service, and even the poorest homes in the U.S. are bigger than the average homes in Europe. Our military is also voluntary, unlike communist countries. Maybe Michelle is right, but only about the left. Democrats are a bunch of whiny, spoiled ingrates. Get over yourself and just be proud, good or bad, that you live in the best country in the world. Like Tony Blair once said, "You can judge a country by how many people are trying to get in and how many are trying to get out." And it's not the people leaving that we have a problem with.
McCain/Palin '08
Posted by: S Adams | Aug 29, 2008 11:56:15 PM
I wonder if Bush will reveal where he got his crack cocaine from now that he is on his way out the door....He has 141 days left until 20 November 2009..But who is counting??? The world...He needs to get back to Crawford, Texas and harvest the "pot" crop it is about ready to harvest in 2 weeks..And he has a big crop..Mostly for his and family use, daddy hits on his big fat "blunts" regular.He likes to suck on things to.
Posted by: FBUSH | Aug 30, 2008 3:10:58 AM
He may manage to achieve that goal, if as rumored he cancels his speech.
However HcCain and the Republicans broke another commitment.
See http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=5678062
McCain and the Republicans are finally out of the closet. They sell fake dollar bills with Obama's picture -- their own version of the RACE CARD. While the local Republican Chairman says it has stopped and will not happen again; SHE ALSO SAYS NO ONE WILL BE PUNISHED (in another report). Sounds like Republicans condone the action while also seeking cover to me.
Posted by: Unswayed | Aug 30, 2008 7:47:52 AM
um what! UM TOM! Everyoneone knows that in every program ran by the Government there are built in increases, every year, which automatically increases their spending. The drug plan for seniors, education reform, spending for aids in Africa, the war on terror (which I believe is real-you may not but that is ok) all add up not to mention the economic hit inflicted on 911 and the politicians racing to the pig trough lapping up all that money handed out for homeland security. Then you have natural disasters on an unreal scope such as Katrina. But you know all this ,don't you? The old class envy sure shines through on the Bush bashers which is pathetic nonsense but then there are those to whom you can vote that will "give" you, no work required, what you need and deserve and damn those rich people! Remember Tommy nothing is free and nothing is cheap.
Posted by: david | Aug 30, 2008 8:06:17 AM
The experience argument is overblown and interesting. Of America's most celebrated presidents Lincoln had never held any office until he became Presdent. J.F.K was the junior senator. The bedrok of democracy as in trial by Jury is that we give everybody a fair chance knowing that there is no perfect formula for identifying competence. Some great speakers are lousy performers but some are great performers. I expect every serious person to seek the understand the candidates. After all at the end we will all live by our choices
Posted by: toks | Aug 30, 2008 9:19:22 AM
One reporter asked "why not" and Perino replied with a laugh, "Because he's got class.”
Kinda says something about Mccain and his attack machine.....
Posted by: SearamblerOne | Aug 30, 2008 10:57:55 AM
Some people never learn. He promised to do the same thing 4 years ago, and did exactly the opposite.
Posted by: Thomas Mc | Aug 30, 2008 11:24:53 AM
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