Bob McCarty Writes

“Iran was dangerous. Iran is dangerous. Iran will be dangerous if they have the knowledge to make a nuclear weapon.” — President George W. Bush

President George W. Bush made the above comment in response to a question about our dealings with Iran from NBC reporter David Gregory during a White House news conference this morning — his first in seven weeks.

Prior to the question-and-answer session, the president gave members of the Democrat-controlled Congress a well-deserved verbal spanking for not sending him spending bills, intelligence legislation and tax-law changes. He mentioned three key groups of people who are waiting for Congress to act:

• Troops — waiting on Congress to fund them (so they don’t run out of necessary equipment and supplies);

• Intelligence professionals — waiting on Congress to act (so they can continue to gather valuable intelligence that’s vital to national security); and

• American taxpayers — waiting on Congress to act (on the issue of the Alternative Minimum Tax).

He also assured the American people that any irresponsible spending bill sent to the White House will be vetoed.

The list of other topics covered during the Q-and-A session included:

• Iran;
• Weapons of Mass Destruction;
• The intelligence community;
• The case of a young Saudi rape victim sentenced to 200 lashes;
• Possible solutions to the mortgage crisis;
• Anti-Hugo Chavez election results in Venezuela;
• Phone Conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin;
• President Bush’s feelings about the upcoming presidential primaries;
• Arbitrary dates for withdrawal from Iraq;

Samples of news media coverage of the news conference appear below:

Associated Press — Bush, Democrats Tussle on War Money and Bush Keeps Up Pressure on Tehran;

MediaBistro — What Candy Crowley Gave the President On The Campaign Trail;

Politico — Bush refuses to rule out Iran strike;

The Hill — Bush defends strong Iran rhetoric.