President Bush, under pressure from increased bloodshed in Iraq and his handling of pre-September 11 intelligence, will hold a press conference tonight — his first this year in prime time — to address the issues.
Mr. Bush made the announcement to reporters at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, while fielding questions yesterday with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.
“I’m interested in answering more questions for you all,” Mr. Bush said. “So pick out a red or blue tie … see you in the East Room.”
Reporters should have many questions for the president at the 8:30 p.m. event.
Less than three months before the American-led Coalition Provisional Authority is scheduled to hand over power to the Iraqi Governing Council, a Shi’ite insurgency in Iraq has sparked fierce fighting that has claimed the lives of more than 70 U.S. troops and 250 Iraqis since April 1.
This morning, the commission investigating the intelligence failures in the months and years before the September 11 attacks will convene its 10th public hearing featuring testimony from Attorney General John Ashcroft, FBI Director Robert S. Mueller III and CIA Director George J. Tenet.
Their predecessors from the Clinton administration also will be questioned publicly by the committee this week.
Republican political consultant Scott Reed said if one considers the chaotic events around the world, “the need is now more than ever” for a presidential press conference.
“I sense that the White House recognizes that it’s time to get this commander in chief back on the offensive,” Mr. Reed said. “He will remind the American people that we’re in a global war on terrorism and reconnect with concerned voters who are concerned about what is going on in the world.”
The White House has been put on the defensive by the September 11 commission’s proceedings, culminating in an agreement to allow National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to testify publicly.
Democrats on the commission urged the release of an Aug. 6, 2001, Presidential Daily Briefing (PDB) — the most sensitive intelligence summary produced by the government.
The document, made public Saturday, shows the president was informed that Osama bin Laden and his al Qaeda terror network wanted to strike at the U.S. mainland, but revealed no specific information pointing to the attacks on the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Mr. Bush yesterday defended the contents of that PDB for the second time in two days.
“There was nothing in there that said there’s an imminent attack,” Mr. Bush said.
Democratic political consultant Scott Segal said although Mr. Bush performs better while giving scripted speeches, he will benefit by taking this opportunity to speak directly to the public.
“For all the jokes about the president’s communication issues, more people in America speak like the president than speak like” Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts, Mr. Segal said.
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