[Vision2020] Bush, Sr. Stunned by Attacks on His Son

[nickgier at adelphia.net]

Ex-President Defends His Son

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates, Nov. 22 (AP) — Former President George Bush took on Arab critics of his son Tuesday during a testy exchange at a leadership conference.

“My son is an honest man,” Mr. Bush told members of the audience who harshly criticized President Bush. The Persian Gulf used to be safe territory for former President Bush, who brought Arab leaders together in a coalition that drove Saddam Hussein’s troops from Kuwait in 1991. But the gratitude was overshadowed at the conference by hostility toward his son.

“We do not respect your son,” a woman in the audience bluntly told him after his speech. “We do not respect what he’s doing all over the world.” Mr. Bush, 82, appeared stunned as others in the audience whooped and whistled in approval.

“This son is not going to back away,” he said. “He’s not going to change his view because some poll says this or some poll says that, or some heartfelt comments from the lady who feels deeply in her heart about something. You can’t be president of the United States and conduct yourself if you’re going to cut and run. This is going to work out in Iraq. I understand the anxiety. It’s not easy.”