July 28, 2007
Posted: July 28th, 2007 04:29 PM ET

President Bush deleted a line of his address in deference to Democrats

WASHINGTON (CNN) - One sentence in President Bush's weekly radio address was deleted overnight after some Democrats privately complained that it was overly partisan on the explosive subject of reforming the administration's warrantless wiretap program, White House officials confirmed Saturday.

In the initial radio address, which was taped Friday, Bush charged that the country is less safe because of Democratic delays in passing legislation that would reform the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.

"Every day that Congress puts off these reforms increases the danger to our nation," the president originally said.

White House officials say that line of audio was deleted after Democrats saw a transcript of the remarks distributed Friday afternoon.

The extremely rare change to a taped address comes at the end of a week in which the White House faced a blizzard of questions about whether Attorney General Alberto Gonzales committed perjury in testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee about the surveillance program.

White House officials have vehemently denied that Gonzales gave misleading testimony, and say Bush still wants his Attorney General to stay on the job.

A senior White House official suggested Saturday that the administration wanted to turn the temperature down on all the controversy and get reform legislation passed.

"We've been making good progress with the Democrats on this legislation," a senior White House official told CNN.

"Some of them felt the sentence sounded too political. Our sole objective has been to get the law changed - not to seek partisan advantage. So we were happy to make the requested change, particularly in light of Democrats' expressed determination to make necessary changes in law."

–CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry

Filed under: President Bush


Jill, Westwood, NJ   July 30th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

"if your for the bill of rights, then support your leaders and the administration!"

Tom, this may be the dumbest statement I've ever read in a blog comment. The Founding Fathers created the Bill of Rights to keep Americans from having to endure the kinds of treatment they had under British rule - treatment that the Bush Administration is trying to revive - there would be no secret detentions, no imprisonment without a fair public trial, no unfair searches and seizures of property, and no squelching of peaceful expression.

Patriotism and the Bill of Rights have to do with protecting us as citizens from our government, not to allow a president to be a king, a dictator, an absolute ruler. The Bill of Rights does not mandate that you shut up and take orders from your government. I think a little civics lesson is in order for you.

Debora Oakland CA   July 30th, 2007 4:20 pm ET

Our president has lied to the American people; he lied to the people of Texas and he has killed more people in the world intentionally than any other president in US history.

Mr. Bush was told that if he chose (and by his own admission, he chose) to go to Iraq, the country would end in civil war with the ability of Al Qaeda to build an even stronger force than the force in Afghanistan. Mr. Bush decided profit and oil were more important than the protection of the American people.

What about a constitutional amendment that says the family members of high ranking elected or appointed officials in the US goverment may not monitarily profit from any war. If it were an amendment, we would not be at war because Bush, Cheney, and their ilk would not benefit as they are now. Because of the Iraq war the Bush family fortune has more than tripled at last known count.

Anonymous   July 30th, 2007 2:45 pm ET

"Toni,

You said and I quote, “From now on I only vote Indepndent…..whoever raises the “LEAST” amount of money gets my vote.”

Doing that is wasting your vote, because the one who raises the least amount of money is the least popular, and thus has no chance of winning. And that is exactly what they want you to do. Waste your vote.

If you really want to mess up their program, vote for the person you feel is the most qualified for the job."

Popularity does not always equal most qualified. Bush was popular for a while, and Clinton seems to be as well. Hell Even Guilliani was popular.

The fact is the defeatist nature of "dont vote third party, its a waste of a vote" is exactly why we have the situation we do, two parties who pander to extremists while the majority of America doesnt even vote. Yeah, thats a great reason to not vote third party.

I can either have extreme socialism, or extreme fascism (ironic though, that these two ideologies are somewhat similar)...

Personally Id rather waste my vote than waste it by voting for one of the evils that will surely be nominated from both parties...

bryan okc ok   July 30th, 2007 2:30 pm ET

Soon Americans will have protection by
giving up all the freedoms, with walls,
spys, no control of our goverment officals and a president who would be king we will find ourselfs back in the
previous government of kings, queens, and nobels that we left in England.

Michael Mobley, Saint Louis, MO   July 30th, 2007 1:13 pm ET

Of all the entries here i seem to think Chris from Atlanta, GA is the closest to being right. Don't get me wrong, I am very much a democrat and stand up for the DNC's ideals to the fullest, but I really would not say the past 8 years of this country's misfortune have been completely the REPUBLICAN's fault. Even before the midterm elections the GOP was starting to show signs that what has been going on since 2000 has been anything but good.

One thing is quite definitely for certain. President Bush has by far been one of the worst leaders this country could stand. I easily run out of fingers and toes counting the number of impeachable offenses Bush, Cheney, and his entire staff have committed since landing in office. That doesn't even include the bad-but legal moves he has made as well. I think that congress should institute an amendment that allows the public to recall an election like in California, cause then the people would really have the power, and Bush may not have been in office long enough to do the damage he has already done.

And Tom, if you seriously think Bush is still doing a good job, maybe you should move to Russia. Their politics would suit you nicely.

Tom, everywhere USA   July 30th, 2007 12:46 pm ET

Tricia why are u posting in here?

this is an american website not Canadian!!!!!

Mary, Beaver, PA   July 30th, 2007 8:18 am ET

Tom of everywhere, USA: If you think that supporting the Bill of Rights means supporting "your leaders and the adminstration," you must have received your education in civics from the same school where you obtained your command of the English language.

Now, go on and outdo yourself in stupidity. Criticize the Clintons in an attempt to hurt me. You idiots seem to believe that hating Bush means loving the Clintons. What a non sequitur! Are all you neo-cons so dense?

Mary, Beaver, PA   July 30th, 2007 8:04 am ET

td, you must be terribly stupid to ASSUME that everyone who despises Bush must love the Clintons.

Scott Moreno Valley, CA   July 30th, 2007 3:48 am ET

Tom, first of all (spell check), second
get over Clinton. Keep your eye on the ball. The coup of 2000, all the lies. now the threat of martial law.History repeats itself. Americans are trying to get away from King George, yet once again. I love america, but how can you back an american president who clearly hates americans?

Andy - San Francisco, California   July 30th, 2007 1:42 am ET

Toni,

You said and I quote, "From now on I only vote Indepndent…..whoever raises the “LEAST” amount of money gets my vote."

Doing that is wasting your vote, because the one who raises the least amount of money is the least popular, and thus has no chance of winning. And that is exactly what they want you to do. Waste your vote.

If you really want to mess up their program, vote for the person you feel is the most qualified for the job.

Chris - Atlanta Georgia   July 30th, 2007 12:56 am ET

I wonder what would happen if everyone simply quit thinking about politicians as 'Republicans' or 'Democrats' and simply judged them on their merits.

Is George Bush's job performance as President meritorious? Only 30% of Americans seem to think so. No labels, no partisanship or taking of 'sides' necessary – the fact of the matter is that 70% of this nation disapproves of his job performance. We don't need history to decide – he works for us and the jury is already in – HE SUCKS! It's time for him to head to the boardroom, ladies and gentlemen, because 'George Bush – YOU'RE FIRED!'

WORST president ever, statistically speaking, except for the other famous crook, Richard Nixon, who has him beat by two points. But there's still over a year and a half to go, so George Bush might just leave the Oval Office just like he left Yale – DFL. This guy is an idiot of epic proportions and I just hope our great country survives – it's tragic.

Nat Daily   July 29th, 2007 11:42 pm ET

do u really want to go back to defeatism?

We are losing everyday this cult runs our once great nation into the ground. One report after another says the Child King's and conservative policies have created more terrorists and made the world less safe.

The LibDems NEVER show any restraint in their outrageous rhetoric against their opponents

We've listened to nothing but over the top un-American homnophobic, theocratic hatred from right wing propaganda radio and republican leaders for the last 25 years. Unfortunately a cult mindset does not allow you to see reality. You know, Rush has been conditioning the right for 3 hours a day, 5 days a week for what? 15 years. David Koresh didn't train/talk to his cult near that much.

Brian Portland, Or   July 29th, 2007 9:32 pm ET

Each and every comment on this page is a complete waste of breath. This is like reading the talking points as directed from both the GOP as well as the DNC. The arguments are personally attacking and shallow on both sides. You all have fallen victim to the national organization puppeteers who directing your every moves. Please wake yourselves up and develop your own voices, your own opinions, and please base them on intteligent information – not the psuedo-truths engaged in here. Good luck!

Pixie, Murfreesboro, TN   July 29th, 2007 3:21 pm ET

Regarding this FISA reform business....first off, Under FISA, it is a criminal offense to eavesdrop on Americans without the oversight and approval of the FISA court. Section 1809 of FISA expressly provides that "[a] person is guilty of an offense if he intentionally – (1) engages in electronic surveillance under color of law except as authorized by statute. . . ." And Section 2511(2)(f) provides that FISA "shall be the exclusive means by which electronic surveillance . . . may be conducted." Thus, a person has broken the law if - as the President admits he did - he orders eavesdropping on Americans without complying with the warrant requirements of the statute. Period.

The Administration admits that it did just that - that the President ordered exactly the warrantless eavesdropping which FISA makes it a criminal offense to engage in. The Administration does not deny this fact. They admit that the eavesdropping they engaged in is exactly the eavesdropping for which FISA requires judicial approval, but defend themselves only by claiming that they had the legal right to engage in this eavesdropping without complying with the law.
NOW he claims that he wants to REVISE the law, but Congress should not even entertain the thought until they find out exactly what the extent of law breaking is that has already occurred. Violation of FISA is a criminal offense and an impeachable one at that. I hope to God, the Congress has the guts to shine sunlight on the corrupt inner workings of this administration and to hold them accountable for it.

jim west palm beach florida   July 29th, 2007 10:48 am ET

Crimminals running our country.
Pedophiles in congress.
I't no longer The GOP
It's now the GOPedophiles

toni   July 29th, 2007 10:00 am ET

Thank You, Bush for wakening the nation up as to how corrupt both parties are.....From now on I only vote Indepndent.....whoever raises the "LEAST" amount of money gets my vote. t

Tom, everywhere USA   July 29th, 2007 9:23 am ET

Don, knock it off your comments are slander and anti american. we dont want any more clintons in the white house enough allready! do u really want to go back to defeatism?

if your for the bill of rights, then support your leaders and the administration! progress is being made in iraq and other places unlike clinton. victory is in oyr grasp, u just dont see it. its not to late for people like urself to join the team and come on in for the big win! by the way. the guy was commenting on peoplee like urself being from the UK and bashing our goverment. hes right-we couldnt win our independcece if we had to fight ur kind!!!

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   July 29th, 2007 9:06 am ET

TO: Don, Irvine CA

Congrats! Great Job! Wish there were more Americans like yourself who can actually see the true picture.

I couldn't agree with you more.

Ken, Newport News, VA   July 29th, 2007 8:34 am ET

Another example of Bush appeasing the thin-skinned LibDems. The LibDems NEVER show any restraint in their outrageous rhetoric against their opponents, but Bush and the GOP are constantly expected to put on kid gloves when dealing with the LibDems.

Don, Irvine CA   July 29th, 2007 8:03 am ET

Ok you win I cant resist this bait. Here we go...

YES: Clinton was disbarred, and
YES: He was "serviced in the oval office."

But, unless you employed him as your lawyer, or it was you who "serviced him" those events had no real bearing on your life. In fact I'd go so far as to say they were really none of your business. The real issue was the fact that he lied under oath to a judge, and then again on national television to us.

I would think that any rational human being, such as yourself, who finds lying that repugnant would be furious at our current administration. They have repeatedly ignored direct requests made by the senate for information regarding things such as the decision making process that led up to the current Iraq War, warrentless wire tapping, and that whole CIA leak scandal.

This country was founded because our ancestors hated paying taxes, and didn't like it when the government barged into their homes and went through their things. You can be damn sure that the people like you who were around during our early history, were all shot when they lined up with the redcoats. Keep your King and country I'll take the bill of rights and some good solid legislative oversight over a lot of patriotic bullpucky and a defacto despot any day.

Oh and PS. Attempting to hijack the conversation by ripping on Clinton... priceless. Really... I didn't see it coming. Kudos to you.

Sue, Midland, MI   July 29th, 2007 7:52 am ET

td,
I think that history will show that Bush's crimes against this country you love are far more damaging that anything Clinton did. Let me see-while Clinton was in office, we were not at war, we had a SURPLUS, other countries respected us. Now, we have a deficit we may never climb out of, people around the world hate us, and we are mired in conflicts home and abroad. So who is more immoral, let alone flaunts the law? My goodness, what Clinton did was a personal flaw, but it basically hurt no one-what Bush and his cronies are doing hurts and endangers all of us.Your own party is turning against his lies. Wake up!

dan sluder, SLC, UT   July 29th, 2007 6:59 am ET

worst president ever....

Rocco, Wellington, FL   July 29th, 2007 6:59 am ET

As an American citizen I wonder is Bush this stubborn or just blame stupid? He went through the ordeal with Rumsfeld for years in the end he had to go. With Gonzales in the end he has to go, what is wrong with this President?

AS (D) - California   July 29th, 2007 2:42 am ET

Just waiting for January, 2009... Because anybody would be better than Bush.

B. Boyer, Cadillac, MI   July 29th, 2007 1:08 am ET

To those of you who keep talking about impeaching the Shrub, I have two words for you to consider: DICK CHENEY!

Peggy K. Sam Rayburn Texas   July 29th, 2007 12:48 am ET

It looks like the main stream media is doing its job well. People are so mis-informed about our moral, courageous President. I feel so much safer knowing he continues to do what he believes is right, not what is popular. He's like a parent of teenagers – they often don't like their parents' strict standards, but later as they mature, they realize their parents were right and only doing what was best for them. Thanks God for President Bush.

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   July 28th, 2007 11:51 pm ET

TO td (No Name, City, or State)

If you want to tar and feather we the Anti Bush Critics – At least have the decency if not the courage to sign your name, city and state instead of hiding behind your mother's skirt as an Alias. Have the backbone to give your comments credence with a ligitmate name, like we Anti Bush critics have done.

And just for the record: I too feel you must be living under ground if you see something good in the current leader of your Nation.

bprosserme   July 28th, 2007 11:50 pm ET

Well, you've got to speak to the lowest common denominator, every speaker knows that. Of course, Bush had to lower the comprehensive points of his speech for the Democrats.

td   July 28th, 2007 9:47 pm ET

You people bashing bush must be from the UK – you're a bunch of dope smoking, amoral, anti-American losers. You back people who got serviced in the oval office, get disbarred for lying, impeached, and you call us sick???Give me a break. If people like you were around during our early history we wouldn't even be here.

HAWK,TX.   July 28th, 2007 9:03 pm ET

TOM, SOUNDS LIKE HE HAS BEEN LIVING UNDER GROUND.HE NEEDS HELP BAAAADDDD.

lipper AMERICAN   July 28th, 2007 8:07 pm ET

Tom......you are either kidding or a very sick person....please try to get some help for yourself.

Tom, everywhere USA   July 28th, 2007 7:52 pm ET

you people that continue to put down our law abiding president are nothing more than whinning cry babbies and traitors! you should be whipped!

God Bless the USA!

Tricia M Charlottetown PEI   July 28th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

“Some of them felt the sentence sounded too political. Our sole objective has been to get the law changed — not to seek partisan advantage. So we were happy to make the requested change, particularly in light of Democrats’ expressed determination to make necessary changes in law.”

Oh Give Me A Break Pluuueesssee How Gullible does this Administration think the World is?

White House officials have vehemently denied that Gonzales gave misleading testimony, and say Bush still wants his Attorney General to stay on the job.

Of Course when you paying someone it's easier to demand loyalty if you fire him he can say what he likes! Crystal Clear to me.

DENY another favourite activity of this Administration!

Lance, Los Angeles, CA.   July 28th, 2007 7:23 pm ET

Libby? signing statements, habius corpus, torture, fear, clean air? every child left behind. 9 fired attorneys, 1 mired attorney general. Special prosecutor? dis-union, dissolution, discontent. voter fraud? election fraud. no blacks allowed. Tim Griffen, caging lists, Greg Palast, missing emails no longer. Orange alert, terror dry runs, 911 in Iraq, Iraq caused 911, huh?

Impeach them, Impeach them, Impeach them. Do not wait, have mercy, take time, listen, look around, Impeach them, Impeach them. Stop, what's that sound?

It's democracy, run aground.

Andre, New Brunswick, Canada   July 28th, 2007 7:16 pm ET

It's obvious that Gonzales is protecting the White House that ordered the firings of the attorneys. The White House has to keep the control. If it does loose control, the people in charge will face the worse scandal ever to have hit the US political stage. The people who are trying to cover up Gonzales are the real criminal. Most people following a little bit of US politics will tell you the same thing.

PSK, Berkeley, California   July 28th, 2007 7:10 pm ET

The real question is: Who put it there in the first place?

Pansycritter-Maple City NY   July 28th, 2007 6:51 pm ET

They could remove the entire address and who would care or know? One sentence does not go far enough. Clean up our airwaves!

Mrs. America   July 28th, 2007 6:48 pm ET

Pres. Bush actually listened to someone? Mark your calendar!

Cheryl Fontaine, Lake Stevens, WA   July 28th, 2007 6:46 pm ET

Has that corrupt jerk in the White House got anything constructive to say, or is he going to leave the same way he came in – on a lie and a pack of lies. January 09 can't get here too soon!!

erika morgan black dimond wa   July 28th, 2007 6:40 pm ET

Is this the first time Bush was altered because of facts on the ground?

Carrol Ann, Newport, Maine   July 28th, 2007 6:02 pm ET

Just waiting for November 2008

John Salsbury Ocean Park, WA   July 28th, 2007 5:47 pm ET

Every time Gonzales has appeared on my TV screen, he has lied. The lies keep getting more obvious and larger in scale, and he and Georgie-girl sit straight-faced as if the mountain of lies is really misunderstood truth. While they obviously belong together, I would suggest a jungle habitat far away from other human contact. Gonzo is no damned good, and Georgie is worse. Best they are prevented from interacting with human beings.

HAWK,TX.   July 28th, 2007 5:43 pm ET

JUST LIKE THE SHRUB TO TRY AND BLAME DEMOCRATS AFTER ALL HE HAD A REPUBLICAN CONGRESS ALL THE TIME THAT HE WAS MAKING THE WHOLE WORLD LESS SAFE.

Sharon Samson, Las Vegas, Nevada   July 28th, 2007 5:35 pm ET

Every day Bush and Cheney are at the helm increases the danger to our nation.

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