Bush Talks About His Biggest Fear

President Discusses 9/11, War On Terror, Iraq With Katie Couric

(CBS)  President Bush spoke exclusively with CBS Evening News anchor and managing editor Katie Couric on Wednesday, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, the war on terror, and Iraq. The president also shared some information about previously undisclosed terrorist plots that had been uncovered.

"As you well know, Monday is the fifth anniversary of 9/11. And so many Americans are thinking about that day. And I'm just wondering what your thoughts are as we approach that anniversary," Couric asked the president.

"Well, you know, I make a — I approach it with mixed emotions. I remember the horror. And I remember the, you know, the loss of life. I also remember the lessons. And September the 11th affected my thinking," Mr. Bush replied. "It basically changed my attitude about the world. And I resolved around that time that I would do everything to protect the American people. And it, frankly, has defined much of how I think as the president. And, so, for me, it's not just a moment. You know, it's really been a change of life."

The president also acknowledged that the attacks caused a major shift of his philosophy of the world.

"Well, it reminded me that we're in a major struggle with extremists. You know, when you really think about why would somebody kill 3,000 Americans? And I realized the struggle was more than just defeating an al Qaeda," Mr. Bush said. "It is really an ideological war between extremism and moderation and reasonableness. And it's been a — it was a profound moment. … But it was no more profound than the — the thousands of our citizens who lost a loved one. And so September the 11th is gonna be a sad moment, a day of remembrance and a day of commitment."

"You have said, Mr. President, that America is safer but we are not yet safe," Couric remarked. "When you think about the threats out there, what is your biggest fear?"

"Well, my biggest fear is somebody will come in and slip in this country and kill Americans. And I can't tell you how. Obviously there would be the spectacular. That would be the use of some kind of biological weapon or weapon of mass destruction. But as we learned recently from the British plots, people were, you know, gonna get on airplanes and blow up airplanes with innocent people flying to America," Mr. Bush replied. "And, you know, one way to look at it is we have to be right 100 percent of the time in order to protect this country, and they gotta be right once. And it's just a fact of life. We're facing an enemy, Katie, that just doesn't care about innocent life. I mean, they really are evil people."

Speaking about Iraq, Couric noted that the president considers Iraq the central front in the war against terrorism.

"And I'm wondering, Mr. President, if sometimes in your private moments you feel incredible frustration that this war is not going better. And frustration that public support for it has eroded pretty significantly in recent months," Couric asked.

"Well, first of all, I do think Iraq is a central front in the war on terror and so does Osama bin Laden," Mr. Bush replied. "Now, there's been some good moments and some bad moments in Iraq. And there's been some highlights. Twelve million people voting for a government under a modern constitution."

After speaking about the positive developments in Iraq, the president acknowledged that there are negative things that frustrate him in the conflict.

"Starting with the death of innocent people and our soldiers. That's the hardest thing for me," the president said. "I meet with a lot of the families. And I do the best I can to cry with them or, you know, laugh with them if they wanna laugh and hug them. One thing most have said to me is 'Don't leave before this job gets done.' They understand the stakes and so do our soldiers. And the stakes are these: That if we leave before the job is done, an enemy that has attacked us will be emboldened. Allies and moderate people will wonder where America's soul is."

"Does it concern you," Couric asked, "as we walk this corridor and see portraits of people like President Reagan, for whom your dad worked as vice president, some of your father's close colleagues have criticized the war in Iraq or efforts, particularly Brent Scowcroft, his former national security advisor, very publicly saying in 2004, 'Iraq is a failing venture'?"

"Yeah," Mr. Bush said. "Does it bother me? Nah, not really. When you do hard things, people are gonna criticize you. The American people expect me to make decisions based upon principle, to deal with the threats that face our nation — not to worry about criticism. Of course I listen to it. That's part of the job."

[opposebush]

Thanks for your comments slots23 - I think you hit the nail on the head. Katie smarten up - or you are going to lose your viewing audience. You may be in 3rd place - but after all there is no 4th or 5th, but there is a total loss of viewers, which means you will be off the air. As for this person's comments ( jlowens13 ). Bush is aggressive, but is only for his and Chaney's pocket books. They are getting richer, while the rest of us are getting poorer. Or haven't you purchased anything lately like milk, gas, etc. Just the basics. I notice they don't include these items in our spending numbers. It makes them look too bad. Bush and Chaney (B&C)are ruining this country. The terrorists have one. They goal was to bring us to our knees. Nice job B&C in making sure they got what they wanted. I know they are trying to make us scared to death, but I don't buy it.

Katie you need to rethink your position on the B&C terrorists, you could find yourself off the top 100 most powerful women in the country list.

[opposebush]

Bush and Chaney are the worst criminals and terrorists that this world has ever seen. They knew about 9/11 before it happened. They went into Iraq even though it had nothing to do with 9/11. They are the terrorists. Get them out of off now. We need to have a system just like England where we can throw elected officials out of office when we find that they have lied to the american people and cause thousands and thousands of deaths in this country and around the world. The is the worst abuse of power. And by the way Bush never won either elections - how is it that we allowed him to steal the elections and did not correct the problem when we had the chance. This should never happen. Every vote should count and be recounted if that is necessary. Please stop the madness.

[vawahoo74]

It is time for Americans to step up and understand that radical extremists are indeed a threat to our freedom. It is also time for Congress to address the illegal immigrant issue as it affects our national security. Secure the borders first and use the military to support the effort. Then make it clear to American business that if illegal immigrants are hired, there will be severe financial penalities. After this happens, then address the question of the illegals who in the country now, offering a path to citizenship through worker guest program.

[andrew_sam]

ONe word for President Bush Afganistan that was and is our problem it was not Iraq. We thank Bush and Rumsfeld for that.

[aesop2-2009]

I am truly dismayed at the ignorance of the american people. The problems in the middle-east are a direct result of western interference in the day to day life of the natives of that area. Leave the middle east to the natives. Let's deal with our own terrorist. Does anyone remember Oklahoma City and countless other attacks on American citizens over the past century by fellow American's. Where was the outrage.

If the Democrats take over Congress this November, there will be so much grid-lock in Washington that nothing will get done. This includes legislation concerning interrogation techniques (which is how we've gotten about 90% of the intelligence that has allowed us to stop attacks and capture/kill many top terrorists) and the ability to prosecute those captured. I fear that neither party will produce a candidate strong enough to take over the daunting challenge of protecting this Nation.

When do we say enough. I think we've turned the other cheek more than and acceptable number of times Well, President Bush said enough on the morning of 9/11/01. It is his sworn duty to defend the people of this country and I agree that the fight should be taken to the enemy rather than waiting around for them to attack and then trying to arrest those responsible.

You can admire a man without agreeing with him. Katie has taken more than her share of cheap shots at the President during the past 5 years and I would hardly call her a "a staunch Bush fan." There are so many out there that would have you believe that President Bush has no adirable qualities whatsoever, but I'm telling you they're wrong. You don't get re-elected without admirable qualities. I voted for Clinton twice and Gore in 2000. I certainly would not have counted myself as a staunch Bush fan until the election campaign of 2004. Seeing the alternative in leadership quickly made me a fan. George W. Bush was the best man for the job of protecting this country and he still is. There are many of his policies that make me angry (ie, spending, immigration, etc...), but there is no issue as important to me as National Security.

Think back to all of the terrorist acts that happened during the 70s, 80s and 90s: the USS Cole, Khobars Towers, the attack on the Munich Airport, Munich Olympic Massacre, U.S. Ambassador to Sudan assassinated, Entebbe Hostage Crisis, Ambassador to Afghanistan Assassinated, Iran Hostage Crisis, Bombing of U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Bombing of Marine Barracks in Beirut, Kidnapping and murder of Embassy Official in Beirut, TWA Hijacking in 1985, Achille Lauro Hijacking, Egyptian Airliner Hijacking, Airport Attacks in Rome and Vienna, Aircraft Bombing in Greece, Berlin Discothhque Bombing, Kidnapping and murder of William Higgins, Naples USO Attack, Pan Am 103 Bombing, Bombing of UTA Flight 772, Bombing of the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, World Trade Center Bombing in 1993, Attempted Assassination of President Bush by Iraqi Agents in 1993, Air France Hijacking in 1994, Jerusalem Bus Attack in 1995, Saudi Military Installation Attack in 1995, HAMAS Bus Attack in 1996, Dizengoff Center Bombing, Bombing of Archbishop of Oran, Empire State Building Sniper Attack in 1997, Israeli Shopping Mall Bombing in 1997, Murder of U.S. Businessmen in Pakistan, U.S. Embassy Bombings in East Africa in 1998, Kidnappings in Kyrgyzstan to name maybe 50% of the ones with U.S. casualities.

slots23, I do think you have at least one thing wrong. The President did not get us "into this insanity..." The Islamo-fascists who have been attacking free people for decades dragged us in to this. Whatever you want to believe about the initial reasons given for invading Iraq, make no mistake that it was always about taking the war to the enemy. Revenge is NOT the only reason for this war, it was the straw that broke our back.

[slots23]

I just saw Katie Couric's blurbs on the CBS evening news about being at the White House and how she was in awe of the history inside those walls. One thing she mentioned was Bush chastizing a crew member to "...straighten your tie. You're in the White House". She seemed to find that endearing.
And she noted the pros and cons of his Texas swagger.

She was going on about Bush's daunting task as president in this time in history.

Has she forgotten that Bush got us into this insanity in the middle east?

I was under the impression that journalists on the network news were supposed to be unbiased in their reporting of the news at hand. From her comments it is clear that she would appear to be a staunch Bush fan.

Remember, Katie, he's responsible for over 2600 dead Americans.
And god knows how many wounded.

Perhaps Fox would be a better venue for you.

Thanks for allowing me to vent while there is still free speech in this country.

I'll continue to watch the local CBS News but from here on in as long as Katie's on the air I'll be watching another channel.
Thank god for Tivo. Now I can show my friends what biased journalism is all about.

If you'd like to respond, please feel free. I may have it all wrong. You could win me back.

thanks,
former Katie supporter

[slots23]

I just saw Katie Couric's blurbs on the CBS evening news about being at the White House and how she was in awe of the history inside those walls. One thing she mentioned was Bush chastizing a crew member to "...straighten your tie. You're in the White House". She seemed to find that endearing.
And she noted the pros and cons of his Texas swagger.

She was going on about Bush's daunting task as president in this time in history.

Has she forgotten that Bush got us into this insanity in the middle east?

I was under the impression that journalists on the network news were supposed to be unbiased in their reporting of the news at hand. From her comments it is clear that she would appear to be a staunch Bush fan.

Remember, Katie, he's responsible for over 2600 dead Americans.
And god knows how many wounded.

Perhaps Fox would be a better venue for you.

Thanks for allowing me to vent while there is still free speech in this country.

I'll continue to watch the local CBS News but from here on in as long as Katie's on the air I'll be watching another channel.
Thank god for Tivo. Now I can show my friends what biased journalism is all about.

If you'd like to respond, please feel free. I may have it all wrong. You could win me back.

thanks,
former Katie supporter

[ds6565]

Americans have short memories. I recall at the end of the Gulf War, after the Iraqis had been driven out of Kuwait in defeat, many people were bent the "we weren't finishing the job" by removing Sadaam Hussein from power. Even top members of the Clinton administration, including the president himself, expressed concern about the WMDs in Iraq. But nothing was done about it because it would mean a difficult war like what is occuring now. Even after terrorist strikes against the World Trade Center in 1993, our embassies, the USS Cole, no serious action was taken. More action was taken in the Balkans to oust Slobo because of the ethnic cleansing. How was Slobo a threat to the USA?
Bush may have his misgivings. I don't agree with his immigration policies, he signs every pork barrel spending bill that lands next to his pen, and he isn't the best communicator. But he has done more to take action against terrorism than any other president this country has ever had. Reagan pulled out of Lebanon in 1983 after the Marine barracks got bombed. Clinton took little to no action against Islamic terror. Instead of sitting around waiting for the next attack, America is hitting back. It's the hard path to take, but we really don't have any other option. There is no negotiating with al Qaida, Hamas, Hezbollah, MILF, none of them.

[sanityseeker]

The fact is that al Qaida never had a presence under Saddam. The vast majority of the current insurgency are rival religious factions not al Qaida terrorists. Mr. Bush emboldened and strenthened bin Laden's hand to call for a Jihad by launching an unprovoked invasion a sovereign Muslim nation. Mr Bush's arrogant, lone ranger who knows best attitude has deminished our standing in the world to where only 9% of the world's population regards the USA positively.
Given all this public information about Iraq and al Qaida, I fail to appreciate Mr. Bush's argument that Iraq is the center of our war on terror. Iraq is the reason that we are failing to contain terrorism. The Iraq war has depleted our military resouces and has bankrupted our positive regard in the world. Mr. Bush has promoted a foreign policy that has alienated our allies and exacerbated hatred towards us in the non-terrorist Muslim world.
The real center of the al Qaide threat is Afghanistan and Pakistan, NOT Iraq. We have lost our control of the hearts and minds of those people and the Taliban have regained significant power and influence again. We have lost our advantage, as well as the opportunity to capture bin Laden because our special ops troops and military were re-deployed to fight this insane war in Iraq. Mr. Bush has "cut and run" from the real center of the war on terror and has failed us miserably.

[angiedor]

For the last six years, it has been obvious that he is getting everything fed to him through an earpiece. You can tell. Who else is seeing this? So what does it matter what he says. I am a conservative Christian, but it is so hard to take him seriously. It stinks, actully.

[juliehg-2009]

He chases terrorists like Don Quijote chased windmills. It's all fiction...

[motinct]

Please ... I hate disrepecting the President BUT if the man was truly serious ... he would secure our borders now. NO AMNESTY ... just keep illegals from crossing over to our shores (both on land and from the sea!) Why leave our 'doors' wide opened?!?!?

[pjaqua1]

Katie Couric's interview of the President was both outstanding journalism and very interesting and insightful. Katie is off to a "first-class" start with CBS.

[cate45_1999]

Since when is Bush even interested in Osama bin Laden or where he is and what he is doing? He wanted Saddam Hussein and he got him. Never once was bin Laden mentioned when we entered Iraq. Everyone knew that we should be looking for bin Laden in Afganistan. Bush should go back and check his speechs when he wanted support to go into Iraq. He was going to finish what his father started and that is the simple truth of it.

[brett504-2009]

personally I think it time for our troops to come home. We have lost alot of soliders over there and enough is enough. We need to start taking care of this country. I have yet to figure out what we have acomplished over there.
Its been a nightmare since day one.

[lukebize]

andywahr asks:

"What kind of writer actually adds in an interviewee's moments of pause or stammering?"

The kind that strives to report factually?

"CBS has tried to do this in keeping with its liberal agenda: Make Bush look bad."

The President doesn't really need much help in that area.

"If this were Bill "perjury" Clinton, you can bet the writer of the article would have employed "editing" to make the Ex-President "terrorist freeing liar" sound smooth and well spoken."

Clinton is not President anymore. Try to keep up.

There are multitudes of archives filled with news reports from CBS and many others which are highly critical of the Clinton administration. In few of them does Clinton babble like Bush, though.

"This is just ridiculous editorializing."

Well, what YOU write certainly is. What Couric and CBS reported is literal fact. Don't like it? Tough. Vote in a more wellspoken, competent crook next time.

"Stop calling yourselves the "news" and be honest about who you are the "opinions" (of a vocal minority)."

You wouldn't know news if it sent your son to die in Iraq.