Bush: In his own words
The Agenda
President Bush spoke at length with U.S. News Chief White House Correspondent Kenneth T. Walsh. Excerpts:
ON IRAQ. Should we ever use the military, it will be the full force and might of the United States military, as well as others joining with us, and the idea will be to disarm Saddam Hussein. And obviously that would include, if he chooses not to disarm, it would include his removal--he would have then shown that removal would be necessary to disarm the country.
ON THE ECONOMY AND MEDICARE. I'll be spending capital in order to convince the Congress to move forward on an economic stimulus plan so that people can find work. I'll be spending capital on healthcare issues such as Medicare . . . asking for reforms to make sure the system is modern and works on behalf of the seniors. And a modern system includes prescription drugs.
HIS VISION. One of my true passions is working to implement the de Tocquevillian vision of the greatness of Americans, to grab that and strengthen that and encourage that, which is neighbor helping neighbor. . . . I intend to complement the limited scope of the federal government by encouraging the great compassion of the American people.
RACE. Some in our society hear the word Republican and say, "He is a Republican, therefore he is not for my civil rights." There's nothing farther from the truth, nothing farther from the truth from my policies--witness the new education bill, which I think is, it will advance civil rights greatly. . . . I've got Lincoln's picture on the wall here, because I am reminded that I must work to unite the country, which Lincoln understood, to achieve great goals.
NORTH KOREA. I view this as a moment in which we could forge new bonds with countries that used to be our enemies--mainly Russia and China--as well as strengthening the alliance with South Korea and Japan. . . . Kim Jong Il, when he broke the '94 accord, created a moment where two former enemies and two friends can all work together to achieve what has been publicly declared as the goal, which is a nuclear-weapons-free peninsula.
THE MIDEAST. One of my real interests is to work with the Palestinians to not only improve the human condition there but to encourage freedom with the habits of democracy. And that there be institutions that can, that will be larger than the individuals--a prime minister, for example, or a constitution. I mean, things that will stand the test of time. -Kenneth T. Walsh
This story appears in the December 30, 2002 print edition of U.S. News & World Report.
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