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[q]Analysis: Euphoria gone for Bush and Blair
By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer
Fri May 26, 7:45 AM ET
WASHINGTON - President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair looked less like cheerleaders for the latest milestone of democratic political progress in Iraq and more like world-weary leaders who had met their match.
Subdued and understated, the two politicians most responsible for beginning a war now highly unpopular with both their publics acknowledged sour notes during a news conference at the White House on Thursday night, possibly their last joint appearance. Bush displayed almost none of his trademark backslapping bonhomie. Blair looked dour even when reporting hopeful signs from his trip to Iraq this week.
Both men were euphoric in victory when their military juggernaut dethroned Saddam Hussein. The three years since then have been costly, and both leaders talked remorsefully about mistakes made.
"Not everything since liberation has turned out as the way we had expected or hoped," Bush said. "We've learned from our mistakes, adjusted our methods and have built on our successes."
Bush admitted in hindsight he regrets rough and tumble rhetoric, such as saying he wanted Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" and taunting terrorists to "bring it on." He also cited the shameful abuse of Iraqis at the hands of American captors at Abu Ghraib.
Blair pointed to the wholesale dismissal of Saddam loyalists who ran the top military and government posts and the shocking strength of the insurgents.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_blair_analysis
[/q]
turned a corner ... last throes ... turned another corner ...
By ANNE GEARAN, AP Diplomatic Writer
Fri May 26, 7:45 AM ET
WASHINGTON - President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair looked less like cheerleaders for the latest milestone of democratic political progress in Iraq and more like world-weary leaders who had met their match.
Subdued and understated, the two politicians most responsible for beginning a war now highly unpopular with both their publics acknowledged sour notes during a news conference at the White House on Thursday night, possibly their last joint appearance. Bush displayed almost none of his trademark backslapping bonhomie. Blair looked dour even when reporting hopeful signs from his trip to Iraq this week.
Both men were euphoric in victory when their military juggernaut dethroned Saddam Hussein. The three years since then have been costly, and both leaders talked remorsefully about mistakes made.
"Not everything since liberation has turned out as the way we had expected or hoped," Bush said. "We've learned from our mistakes, adjusted our methods and have built on our successes."
Bush admitted in hindsight he regrets rough and tumble rhetoric, such as saying he wanted Osama bin Laden "dead or alive" and taunting terrorists to "bring it on." He also cited the shameful abuse of Iraqis at the hands of American captors at Abu Ghraib.
Blair pointed to the wholesale dismissal of Saddam loyalists who ran the top military and government posts and the shocking strength of the insurgents.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060526/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_blair_analysis
[/q]
turned a corner ... last throes ... turned another corner ...