Bush Speaks on Iraq, Economy and Prayer

In a rare break during the campaign season, President Bush sat down with CBN News in the White House Map Room. We started by talking about the issue that just won't go away. PRESIDENT BUSH: For those who say, oh, it's okay to leave Iraq before the job is done, they do not understand the nature of the enemy or the enemy's plans. This is a different kind of war in which if we leave the enemy will follow us. With more than 100 American troops fallen in Iraq in October alone, and calls from across the political spectrum for early withdrawal, the President says it would mean disaster for America to pull out of Iraq before victory is achieved. MELISSA CHARBONNEAU: You talk about the disaster, in the face of the constant barrage of criticism. BUSH: Yeah. CHARBONNEAU: ...both at home and from around the world. What makes you so resolute that it is important for America to stay and get it right in Iraq? BUSH: Because I understand the stakes of leaving. And, one reason I do is because I listen to the enemy. Osama bin Laden, Mr. Zawahiri, his number two man, have all made it clear: If they can inflict enough pain on America, we would withdraw from the world. And if we withdraw from the world, they they would be able to develop a safe haven in places like Iraq. And from, with a safe haven, they'd be able to plot and plan another attack. They intend to topple moderate governments, they intend to use oil for blackmail. I will give you an example of oil for blackmail. It is conceivable that if these radicals and extremists control a country with oil resources, they would pull oil off the market, causing the West incredible economic pain. And they would keep it off the market until such time as we abandon alliances, such as Israel, which is one of their objectives, is to destroy Israel. Couple all that with a country with a nuclear weapon in the midst of the Middle East that can't stand America and our allies. People would look back 30 years from now and say, what happened to those people? How come they couldn't see the threat? And so now is the time to deal with the threat. And we can can deal with the threat all kinds of ways. One, stay on offense and bring people to justice. Secondly, to help moderates and reformers succeed, like the 12 million people who voted in Iraq. 'Cause see, democracy defeats this ideology every time. And thirdly, is to recognize that we can't pass this problem on to future generations. And so I see the problem. I believe I was elected to solve problems. I don't make my decisions based upon popularity polls. I do what I think is right, and I am confident that the decisions I have made will lead to peace, so long as America doesn't retreat. CHARBONNEAU: You mentioned taxes. On the campaign trail, you warned that Democrats want to raise America's taxes. But a lot of voters are angry that Republicans have become the party of big spenders. What do you say to those who believe Republicans should be the party of smaller government? BUSH: I agree. And as a matter of fact, we have done a very good job of curtailing what's called discretionary spending -- except for two counts. One, when it comes to protecting the homeland. And two, making sure our military has what it takes to win this war. I'm going to support this military. I am not going to - I'm going to support this military. I'm not going to cut back on what it takes for them to do the job. I can't look at a mother who's got a kid in combat and say, 'Well, we're not going to give your son or daughter all that he or she needs.' And so, therefore, our spending on the military has gone up in the midst of this war. But on other accounts it has gone down. We're going to cut the deficit. I said we're going to cut the deficit by 2009, but we're going to do it a couple of years in advance because we've been wise about spending money on the one hand. And we've cut taxes which has caused the economy to grow, which yielded more tax revenue on the other hand. Listen, this economy is strong. For the people that are listening to you out there, we've overcome a recession. We've overcome a war, hurricanes, high energy prices. This economy is strong. People are working. Their wages are going up. And, it's important for them to turn out to vote to make sure we keep good pro-growth economic policies in place. CHARBONNEAU: One final question. BUSH: Sure. CHARBONNEAU: You've said as you work the rope lines across America that people tell you they're praying for you. As you approach the final two years of your presidency, what's your prayer for the country? BUSH: My prayer is peace. My prayer is that this world be peaceful so that children can grow up understanding the benefits of freedom. My prayer, let me just say something about prayer. I have been deeply affected by the fact that people from all walks of life pray for me and my family. It is - it serves as a great source of strength and comfort. And I thank our fellow citizens for those prayers. They don't need to do that, but they do. I am amazed when I work rope lines. Yesterday I was in Sugarland, Texas, working a rope line, or in Statesburg, Georgia, as well. And people are there saying I - it's like they've come to say - I've come to let you know I'm praying for you, Mr. President. We're lifting you and your family up in prayer. And my answer to them is, that is the greatest gift you can give a president. And I thank people for that. It's made an enormous difference in my life as the President. It's an amazing country you know, when you've got total strangers praying for a guy like me. And -- it really is. I think it makes us very unique as a nation, and I am grateful. I am grateful. CHARBONNEAU: And we are grateful for your time. BUSH: Thank you. Thank you.