President: Don’t judge war on terrorism on bin Laden’s whereabouts

By Sonya Ross

Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – President Bush said Friday he does not know whether Osama bin Laden is dead or alive but cautioned Americans against judging the success of the war on the fate of the terrorist mastermind.

“Those who are preoccupied with one individual do not understand the struggle. We fight terror wherever terrorism exists and those people who say one person matters, they elevate that person to a status he does not deserve,” Bush said three days before the six-month anniversary of the Sept. 11 suicide attacks.

Bush will observe the anniversary Monday with a White House ceremony attended by 1,300 people, including the families of victims and more than 100 ambassadors representing U.S. war allies.

He spoke to reporters at a Florida semiconductor business as U.S. and Afghan soldiers waged a pitch battle in Gardez against al-Qaida militants vowing to fight to the death.

“We’re fighting fierce fighters,” Bush said. Noting that the enemy may not surrender, the president said, “That’s OK. If that’s their attitude, we’ll just have to adjust.”

He didn’t say how the U.S.-led coalition would adjust.

Bush said he didn’t know whether bin Laden or al-Qaida leadership were in the combat zone. “I don’t know of a ny specific names. I do know we’re making great progress. I do know that any time we find al-Qaida bunched up like that we’ll get them,” Bush said. “And there’s going to be more battles like this.”

The White House is trying to keep American rallied behind the president and the war, thus Monday’s ceremonies. Bush said he has been impressed by the public’s patience, and said he is not disappointed that bin Laden has not been found.

Asked what he expectations were six months ago regarding bin Laden’s capture, Bush said, “I knew that we were in four very different kind of war and on 9-12 and the days following we put the war plans in place. I wasn’t sure how long it would take. I knew it was going to take a while.”

“I’m please with the progress we have made in a quick period of time,” he said. “Six months is not a very long period of time when you think about the enemy we’re fighting.”

He said he doesn’t know whether bin Laden is dead or alive, “I do know we haven’t heard from him in a long time.”

Bush spoke as he made an eighth visit to Florida, this time aiding his brother’s re-election campaign and promoting new corporate responsibility proposals he announced Thursday in part because of the collapse of Enron Corp., a longtime donor to Bush’s political campaigns.

He mixed the corporate-citizenship message with a fund-raiser expected to net $500,000 for the Florida Republican Party. The bash is at the elegant Don CeSar Beach Resort and Spa in St. Pete Beach.

Eventually, the proceeds will help finance advertising for Gov. Jeb Bush, who is seeking a second term. The president headlined a Washington fund-raiser in January that raised $500,000 for his brother.

The president also was meeting with families of two Army Rangers who were killed in combat Monday: Sgt. Bradley Crose, 22, of Orange Park, Fla., and Spc. Marc Anderson, 30, of Brandon, Fla.

“I’m sure your heart aches,” Bush said. “The price of freedom is high, no doubt about it.”

Bush said he would continue to focus on creating jobs to boost the economy, even though it has shown signs of gaining strength. He cheered Congress’ passage of an economic recovery package as good news and vowed to sign it.

The Enron scandal touched the Bush family politically and personally. Enron has been the single largest contributor to the president’s political career; Jeb Bush invested about $91,000 and turned a small profit in 1995 from an Enron partnership, tax records show.

The president’s mother-in-law, Jenna Welch, lost about $8,000 on an investment in Enron stock.

The company Bush visited, America II Electronics, sells chips and other electronic equipment. It has survived hard times, and Bush was holding it up as a model of determination amid recession. Bush also was closely watching February unemployment figures, to be released Friday, aides said.

Appearances with workers are becoming a fixture of Bush’s travels on days when the government releases economic reports, an aide said. Bush wouldn’t say Thursday whether he believes the nation has emerged from recession, but his team is determined not to let a flagging economy sink his re-election fortunes as it did his father’s.

Friday’s trip was Bush’s eighth to Florida, making it the No. 1 state for presidential visits since Bush took office last year. Florida was the decisive state in the presidential election, and Bush’s political advisers view it as critical to his re-election prospects.

Copyright ©2002 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.

Ticket and ORCA card kiosks at the Lynnwood Light Rail station on Thursday, April 4, 2024 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Beginning March 1, Community Transit to reduce some fares

Riders eligible for reduced fares will pay $1 for a single ORCA card tap and $36 for a monthly pass.

The amphitheater at Deception Pass during the 2021 concert series. (Photo provided by Deception Pass Park Foundation Facebook page.)
Deception Pass Foundation seeks Adopt-A-Trail volunteers

If you’re looking for a way to get outside and… Continue reading

A pedestrian is struck and killed by vehicle Wednesday in Everett

The pedestrian was a man in his 60s. The collision happened at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday.

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.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

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.

Want coffee? Drink some with the Marysville mayor.

A casual question-and-answer session between mayor and constituents is planned for March 24.

Judge sentences man for role in human smuggling ring

Jesus Ortiz-Plata was arrested in Everett in May 2024. A U.S. District Court judge sentenced him to 15 months in prison.

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.