Yesterday's diary about Bush 41's letter to Wilson

Didn't catch it all, but the letter said something along these lines:

Dear Joe,

I have read and agree with most of your article. I hope Saddam backs down this time.... Further, you know that I have a lot of respect for you...

Sd

George H. W. Bush

UPDATE: From Blitzer's transcripts:

"Dear Joe: I read your fascinating article, and I agree with a lot of it. I am not sure Saddam Hussein will back down in the face of this latest challenge, but I certainly hope he will. Further, let me conclude by saying thank you very much for your letter. Further, I have great respect for you and for your service to our country. I hope you know that. Warm regards, George Bush."

The Ambassador Strikes Back, Answers to the Right Wing Spin Machine

Ambassador Joseph Wilson fired back today at the Rightwing Spin Machine...

In a phone discussion early this afternoon, Wilson told The BRAD BLOG in no uncertain terms that "the President should fire Rove."...

As well, he told The BRAD BLOG that he planned to read a letter on air which he received from Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush shortly after an article of his was printed in the San Jose Weekly News, on October 13, 2002, in which Wilson related his concerns about the pitfalls of the approach to Iraq being taken at the time by both the U.N. and the U.S.

In reply to that article, Wilson said that the former President wrote that he had "read your article and I agree with a lot of it."

Additionally, Wilson explained, Bush 41's own National Security Advisor, Brent Scowcroft had contacted him to ask whether he "could walk on over to the White House with the letter" at the time. Which apparently he did.

About freaking time.

http://www.rasmussenreports.com/2005/Provoking%20War.htm

49% Say Bush Responsible for Provoking Iraq War

44% Say Hussein

Survey of 1,000 Adults

June 20-21, 2005

  Who was more responsible for starting the War in Iraq...Saddam Hussein or President Bush?
Hussein     44%
Bush     49%

RasmussenReports.com

June 23, 2005--Forty-nine percent (49%) of Americans say that President Bush is more responsible for starting the War with Iraq than Saddam Hussein. A Rasmussen Reports survey found that 44% take the opposite view and believe Hussein shoulders most of the responsibility.

In late 2002, months before the fighting began, most Americans thought that Hussein was the one provoking the War. Just one-in-four thought the President was doing the provoking at that time.

The biggest change in perceptions has come among Democrats.