Did Bush say that he wanted to be remembered as the war president?

[Sanity Claws]

I recall Bush being interviewed on Meet the Press in early 2004 by Russert. Russert asked him about he wanted or expected to be remembered. Bush said he wanted to be remembered as the war president.

I was appalled. How could anyone in his right mind/right heart ever want to be remembered that way? My reaction was so strong that the remark stayed with me all these years.

Today I went to research that quote in order to provide a cite but couldn't find it. I found a transcript of the Meet the Press in Feb. 2004 (the right time frame) but Bush did not say what I recalled him saying.

Does anyone else recall the same quote I did? Does anyone know where it came from?

[dipsydoodle]

1. I think he succeeded.

.

[unblock]

2. i think he said "i am a war president", it wasn't about how he wanted to be remembered.

but it was a boast, something he was proud of.

[greatauntoftriplets]

4. That's what he said, all right.

IMO, it sounded like a seven-year-old's boasting.

[Phillyindy]

3. I remember...

He said something to that extent for sure. He wanted to be a war president and was proud of it. What do you expect, knuckle draggers think shooting and blowing things up is manly.

[MiniMe]

5. Found some links for you

http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=George_W._Bush:_The_War_President

http://www.cbsnews.com/2100-250_162-599984.html

http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Bush-defends-record-I-m-a-war-president-He-2824326.php

[Sanity Claws]

6. Thanks

Thanks for the links.

I guess I focused on the way he said he was the war president (with tremendous pride). The transcript does not carry intonations.

Now I'm going to look up his remark about catapulting the propaganda to make sure my memory is correct.