Here is the exchange from the Blitzer interview, in which Bush made his infamous comma remark. But note the far more worrisome statement Bush made just after that remark:
BLITZER: The Shia and the Sunni, the Iranians apparently having a negative role. Of course, Al Qaeda in Iraq still operating.
BUSH: Yes, you see it on TV. And that’s the — that’s the power of an enemy that is willing to kill innocent people. But there is also an unbelievable will and resiliency by the Iraqi people.
Twelve million people voted last December. Admittedly, it seems like a decade ago. I like to tell people when the final history is written on Iraq, it will look like just a comma, because there is — my point is, there is a strong will for democracy.
These people want a unity government. The unity government is functioning.
I’m impressed by President Maliki. I’ve talked to him. I’ve seen the decision-making process that he’s put in place. The Iraqi army is still recruiting and training.
BLITZER: But you weren’t upset when he went to Tehran and gave a big hug and a kiss to Ahmadinejad.
BUSH: Excuse me for a minute. I was on a brilliant point, as you know. [bold mine-DL] The Iraqi government and the Iraqi military is committed to keeping this country together. And so, therefore, I reject the notion that this country’s in civil war based upon experts, not based upon people who are speculating. [DL]
Which is more worrisome: that Bush thought he was making a “brilliant” point or that he has “experts” who tell him there is no civil war in Iraq? That is what everyone should be focused on, and that is the appalling statement Mr. Bush made during that interview. Compared to that, the “just a comma” remark was insignificant.
I heard an expert – a British public relations officer – speak on the question of civil war. He sidestepped the question of whether Iraq is on the verge or in a civil war by resorting to definitions, something along the lines of, “I apply a classic definition of a civil war, which means combat between the armies of two rival governments competing for control of the same country. I’m not aware of any rival government in Iraq, or of its having an army. So obviously this isn’t a civil war and isn’t going to turn into a civil war.” For goodness sake – you know how erudite arguments sound when presented with a British accent. Why shouldn’t Bush defer to his expertise?