Now, haven't we been hearing forever about how the president never conflated 9-11 with Iraq? That's certainly apparent from this press briefing with Scott (I'm more full of it than Ari Flischer was!)McClellan:
" Q Senator Kerry is calling it a tragic milestone, reaching 1,000 deaths in Iraq.
"MR. McCLELLAN: Well, we remember, honor and mourn the loss of all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice defending freedom. And we also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th. The best way to honor all those who have lost their life in the war on terrorism is to continue to wage a broad war and spread freedom throughout a dangerous part of the world so that we can transform that region of the world and make the world a safer place, and make America more secure.
"Q And you're convinced each one of those lives is worth it, Scott?
"MR. McCLELLAN: Each one -- well, let me say, when
I say we remember, honor, mourn the loss of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, we do so for those in Iraq and Afghanistan. We also remember those who lost their lives on September 11th, nearly three years ago today. And that's why I said it's important that we continue to wage a broad war on terrorism and that we work to spread freedom throughout the Middle East and transform that region so that we defeat the ideologies of hatred and tyranny.
"Q But the question is, for -- each of those families lost someone, a loved one, and each one of those is worth it -- that's the question.
"MR. McCLELLAN: Mark, I think -- I think of the cost we paid on September 11th, and September 11th changed the equation, as you've heard the President say."
Posted by bushmeister0
at 5:59 PM EDT
Updated: Thursday, 9 September 2004 12:11 PM EDT