BUSH: DEMOCRACY WILL COME TO IRAQ AND MAY EVENTUALLY REACH U.S.
President Offers Rosiest Postwar Scenario to Date
In a speech tonight before the American Enterprise Institute in Chicago, President George W. Bush predicted that democracy would come to postwar Iraq and might eventually reach the U.S. as well.
A new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom to other nations of the region, Mr. Bush said. And who knows? If democracy works in Iraq, we might give it a try, too.
The President, under criticism for not laying out his vision for a postwar Iraq, told his audience, In a democratic Iraq, a President would be legitimately elected by a majority of the popular vote, not by mysterious electors or politically appointed robed justices.
Such an Iraqi President, Mr. Bush said, would listen to all of the voices in his country, and not merely pander to extremists or corrupt moneyed interests.
In addition, the President said, In a democratic Iraq, those who choose to voice their dissent by protesting will be recognized and listened to, not derided and ignored.
While President Bush stopped short of saying that an Iraqi-style democracy could take root in the U.S. in the near future, he added hopefully, You never know it could happen.
Immediately following his speech, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer tempered Mr. Bushs remarks somewhat, saying that the President was speaking metaphorically about the prospects for democracy in the United States.
The President does in fact believe that democracy will come to the United States after the war is over, Mr. Fleischer said, but not a moment sooner.
**** BOROWITZ REPORT ****
President Offers Rosiest Postwar Scenario to Date
In a speech tonight before the American Enterprise Institute in Chicago, President George W. Bush predicted that democracy would come to postwar Iraq and might eventually reach the U.S. as well.
A new regime in Iraq would serve as a dramatic and inspiring example of freedom to other nations of the region, Mr. Bush said. And who knows? If democracy works in Iraq, we might give it a try, too.
The President, under criticism for not laying out his vision for a postwar Iraq, told his audience, In a democratic Iraq, a President would be legitimately elected by a majority of the popular vote, not by mysterious electors or politically appointed robed justices.
Such an Iraqi President, Mr. Bush said, would listen to all of the voices in his country, and not merely pander to extremists or corrupt moneyed interests.
In addition, the President said, In a democratic Iraq, those who choose to voice their dissent by protesting will be recognized and listened to, not derided and ignored.
While President Bush stopped short of saying that an Iraqi-style democracy could take root in the U.S. in the near future, he added hopefully, You never know it could happen.
Immediately following his speech, White House press secretary Ari Fleischer tempered Mr. Bushs remarks somewhat, saying that the President was speaking metaphorically about the prospects for democracy in the United States.
The President does in fact believe that democracy will come to the United States after the war is over, Mr. Fleischer said, but not a moment sooner.
**** BOROWITZ REPORT ****
that have been allowed as well. . 
