White House Press Briefing
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room
12:26 P.M. EDT

Watanabe, a professional science writer who took notes on the exchange, told Lieberman that while she appreciated his "very good" voting record, she wanted to know how she could present him for re-election in her town when "our people are pretty pacifistic" and were opposed the war in Iraq "from the beginning," when "our people don't support Rice," and when "they are most unhappy with Gonzales."

She said Lieberman responded that he does what he believes is right, that he didn't want the war to be used as a litmus test, and finally that he didn't have to come to Harwinton.

I turned on CNN this morning and heard a report from Baghdad about yesterday's demonstration. The reporter said that two years ago "legions" of Iraqis pulled down the statue of Saddam. The definition of legions -"The major unit of the Roman army consisting of 3,000 to 6,000 infantry troops and 100 to 200 cavalry troops."

Were 3000 Iraqis involved in pulling down the statue? Not even close....

The Pentagon often whines about how the U.S. media only harp on the negative in Iraq. But there's some cheery, morale-building news about military-media relations in a recent internal Army study of its operations in the region around Mosul....

By E&P Staff

Published: April 05, 2005 11:45 AM ET

NEW YORK President George W. Bush's approval rating has plunged to the lowest level of any president since World War II at this point in his second term, the Gallup Organization reported today.

"All other presidents who were re-elected to a second term had approval ratings well above 50% in the March following their re-election," Gallup reported. Bush's current rating is 45%. The next lowest was Reagan with 56% in March 1985.

Gallup noted that more challenges lie ahead for Bush, including public doubts about his Social Security plan and Iraq policies.

Here are the ratings for presidents as recorded by Gallup in the March following their re-election:

Truman, 1949: 57%.

Eisenhower, 1957: 65%.

Johnson, 1965: 69%.

Nixon, 1973: 57%.

Reagan, 1985: 56%.

Clinton, 1997: 59%.

Bush, 2005: 45%.

President Discusses Schiavo, WMD Commission Report
Room 450
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building
11:31 A.M. EST

THE PRESIDENT: Today millions of Americans are saddened by the death of Terri Schiavo. Laura and I extend our condolences to Terri Schiavo's families. I appreciate the example of grace and dignity they have displayed at a difficult time. I urge all those who honor Terri Schiavo to continue to work to build a culture of life, where all Americans are welcomed and valued and protected, especially those who live at the mercy of others. The essence of civilization is that the strong have a duty to protect the weak. In cases where there are serious doubts and questions, the presumption should be in the favor of life.

The most solemn duty of the American President is to protect the American people. Since September the 11th, 2001, we've taken bold and vigorous steps to prevent further attacks and overcome emerging threats. We face a new and different kind of enemy. The threats today are unprecedented. The lives of our citizens are at stake. To protect them, we need the best intelligence possible, and we must stay ahead of constantly changing intelligence challenges....

"We've been attacked by the intelligent, educated segment of the culture," he said, adding that the school board's declaration is just a first step....

"There is no difference" represents the epitome of a lack of understanding practical reality and the ramifications of the choices one makes. It is the smug self-rightiousness that there is only one true way, and that we do not have to accept responsibility for that choice. It tells us that to achieve one's pipe dreams we can make others suffer for our hubris. It tells us that only we matter and those less fortunate are, well, out of luck.

"There is no difference" tells us that we can move furniture in the living room while the house is on fire and in danger of burning down (or, if you prefer, rearrange the deck chairs on the Titanic while it's sinking).

"There is no difference" is patently false and very much like every clueless high school busybody who put on a Christmas pageant for the poor to brighten their day, ignoring the fact that they were ill, homeless, hungry, and cold.

"There is no difference" doesn't bother to stick around to find out what happens, and doesn't care.

"There is no difference" is the hand that grabs the last match as it is lit, letting the self generated wind extinguish that last hope for a warm fire because, well, they read about this really cool way to set the sticks when you build a fire which may, in certain circumstances, make your fireplace draft more efficient except we're outside and it's below freezing and that was our last match because at the last campsite there was "no difference" either and playing with the fireworks in Florida was so much fun...

[Timeout: people who are naive and unsophisticated should be mocked.]

"There is no difference" says that no loaf is better than 39 out of 40 slices. And besides, the people that won't give us any bread will cause the hungry masses to rise up and change the system overnight.

"There is no difference" says not making a choice relieves one of any responsibility when the truly bad choice triumphs.

"There is no difference" worries about their own souls, but can't fathom the suffering of others because, well, it's good for their souls.

"There is no difference" is where one goes to hide because they were too lazy to do anything but pontificate in the abstract and didn't want to soil their souls doing the hard work of planning, organizing, educating, and getting out the vote at the precinct level.