http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6405260/“There is a certain attitude in the world by some that says that it’s a waste of time to try to promote free societies in parts of the world,” he said, a reference to Iraq in particular. “I’ve heard that criticism.”
“Remember, I went to London to talk about our vision of spreading freedom throughout the greater Middle East, and I fully understand that that might rankle some and be viewed by some as folly.”
The disputed 2000 election left Bush without a mandate, but he made it clear Wednesday that he believed he won one Tuesday, when he became the first presidential candidate since 1988 to win a majority of the popular vote, 51 percent.
“I readily concede, I’ve laid out some very difficult issues for people to deal with,” Bush said, adding that one of his disappointments with Washington “is how bitter this town can become and how divisive.” He said he believed that there would be good will and that he had become seasoned to the capital’s ways in his first term. But he signaled some limits as to how far he would go, saying he would reach out to “everyone who shares our goals.”