In his "exclusive" interview with CBS News' Katie Couric today, President Bush may have had another "catapult the propaganda" moment when he said:
"You know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror."
More context in the extended entry.
The segment in question started about 7 minutes into the East Coast (6:30PM EDT) feed of The CBS Evening News with Katie Couric, well after the first segment of the same interview in the same broadcast. Here's the extended portion of the question and answer. (This is my transcript, not from CBS, the White House, or any official service, but I think it'll hold up.)
COURIC: You have said we can't cut and run on more than one occasion. We have to stay until we win.
BUSH: [in agreement] Mm-hmm.
COURIC: Otherwise we'll be fighting the terrorists here at home on our own streets. So, what do you mean exactly by that, Mr. President?
BUSH: Well, I mean that a defeat in Iraq will embolden the enemy, and will provide the enemy more opportunity to train, plan, to attack us. That's what I mean.
It's, uh, it's, uh…you know, one of the hardest parts of my job is to connect Iraq to the war on terror. I believe it, but the American people have got to understand that a defeat in Iraq - in other words, if this government there fails, the terrorists will be emboldened, the radicals will topple moderate governments, and, uh - I truly believe this the ideological struggle of the 21st century. And the consequences for not achieving success are dire.
If I'm hearing this right, I'm sure C&L or some other outlet (maybe even CBS News itself) will have the video online shortly.