President Bush Admits 'Cowboy Talk' Was A Mistake

File this story in the "No shit, Sherlock" file.

AP: Bush, Blair acknowledge difficulty in Iraq

President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair acknowledged difficult progress in the Iraq war they launched together in 2003, but both vowed to keep troops there until the fragile new government takes hold. Both admitted making costly mistakes...

...In unusually introspective comments, Bush said he regretted his cowboy rhetoric after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks such as his "wanted dead or alive" description of Osama bin Laden and his taunting "bring 'em on" challenge to Iraqi insurgents.

"In certain parts of the world, it was misinterpreted."

See video- here

And it only took him him 3+ years and a 29% approval rating to realize the leader of the free world should speak in a "more sophisticated manner". Yes, George, telling a growing insurgency to 'bring it on' is not a good thing to say. For the record, though, I don't think saying bin Laden was wanted dead or alive was the mistake in that instance, but rather allowing him to escape was.

Peter Daou looks at how such a strong, uncharacteristic admission is being spun as a positive for the President-

The significance of this shouldn't go unnoticed. Bush has now admitted what the progressive blog community has said all along: Bush's tough talk was wrongheaded and cost lives.

While contrition may be a media policy that works with our lapdog press (and judging from CNN's first blush of commentary, it seems to be getting the desired result), America must now ask what this admission means. Does Bush take responsibility for the deaths generated by his admitted mistake? Does he accept the logical conclusion that his bluster resulted in the killing and maiming of hundreds if not thousands of US troops?

Don't wait for the media to acknowledge the gravity of this admission...

Case in point- watch Chris Matthews fawn over President Bush's performance.

(UPDATE: Newsweek's Richard Wolffe discusses how Bush's words came off rehearsed.)

As for the main crux of the press conference, well we're turning that corner, ya know...

[PS- Is President Bush preparing to 'cut and run' in his other war in Afghanistan?]