Bush seeks patience

Associated Press

WASHINGTON — President Bush is not going to seek a declaration of war or announce a military strike is under way when he addresses a joint session of Congress on Thursday night. Instead, he will ask Americans for their "patience and reason" as he mounts a long, unrelenting war against elusive terrorists.

One goal is to lower expectations for a quick response to Tuesday’s attacks on Washington and New York that killed thousands and shook the nation to its core.

"This is not a speech to announce military action," National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice told reporters Wednesday. "The president has made very clear that he intends to be patient, that he is going to review his options, that he is going to look for ways to be effective in whatever it is that we do, and we are now launched on a long campaign."

In his address to Congress, set for 6 p.m. PDT, Bush is expected to make the case against Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaida network, but probably not in great detail, officials said. He wants to explain, as he has in public remarks all week, that the terrorists are a freedom-hating radical minority of Muslims, spread across the globe and tough to catch.

"I look forward to the opportunity to explain to the American people who would do this to our great country," Bush said. "And why."

Officials won’t say when the U.S. plans to strike, nor do they expect Bush to do today night.

The president has pledged to strike nations that harbor terrorists, which open Afghanistan to possible military action because of its ties to bin Laden.

Beyond that, Bush has put other countries that harbor terrorists on notice that they could be hit in future assaults if they don’t change their ways. Senior administration officials say Iraq falls into that category, noting that several members of the war-planning team hope to target Saddam Hussein down the line.

"You have to be able to demonstrate to states that might harbor terrorists that that’s not going to be a good thing to do in the future," Rice said.

Bush also plans to warn Americans of the sacrifices ahead, perhaps even mentioning the likelihood of casualties. He will discuss a series of specific steps that need to be taken to prepare Americans in the event of another terrorist attack.

With the attack threatening the nation’s already sagging economy, Bush is expected to call for an economic stimulus package and hopes to be able to tout legislation aiding the ailing airline industry, officials said. He will pledge to work with Congress to beef up airline security, aides said.

"The president will take this opportunity to make a case to the American people of why we are entering this long struggle and to understand better its nature," Rice said. "This is not something that is going to be over in a matter of months."

Copyright ©2001 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Alina Langbehn, 6, center, and Vera A., 6, right, sit on a swing together at Drew Nielsen Neighborhood Park after school on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett council votes to renovate Drew Nielsen Park

Construction on the $345,000 upgrade could start as early as this fall.

Northshore School District bus driver Stewart O’Leary pictured next to his buses shattered drivers side windshield on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Bothell, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Put me in, coach’: Bus driver back at work after struck by metal bar

Stewart O’Leary, a Northshore employee, has received national attention for his composure during a frightening bus trip.

Lynnwood councilor Joshua Binda speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Does the Lynnwood Council VP live in Lynnwood? It’s hard to say.

Josh Binda’s residency has been called into question following an eviction and FEC filings listing an Everett address. He insists he lives in Lynnwood.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.