““Go after” Osama bin Laden. (I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean.)”
July 01, 2007 http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=26090_Daily_Kos_Kid_Gives_Shout_Out_to_Idiots&only
Mount Union Theater, Ohio, April 18, 2007 http://web.archive.org/web/20070428010004/http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news/17102685.htm
““Go after” Osama bin Laden. (I have no idea what that’s supposed to mean.)”
July 01, 2007 http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=26090_Daily_Kos_Kid_Gives_Shout_Out_to_Idiots&only
“I don't know where he [Osama Bin Laden] is. I have no idea and I really don't care.”
This misquotation is frequently attributed to a White House press conference, March 13, 2002 http://georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov/news/releases/2002/03/20020313-8.html
Correct quote should read: "And, again, I don't know where he [Osama Bin Laden] is. I — I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him."
The relevant parts of the White House transcript reads:
: THE PRESIDENT: Deep in my heart I know the man is on the run, if he's alive at all. Who knows if he's hiding in some cave or not; we haven't heard from him in a long time. And the idea of focusing on one person is — really indicates to me people don't understand the scope of the mission. Terror is bigger than one person. And he's just — he's a person who's now been marginalized. His network, his host government has been destroyed. He's the ultimate parasite who found weakness, exploited it, and met his match. He is — as I mentioned in my speech, I do mention the fact that this is a fellow who is willing to commit youngsters to their death and he, himself, tries to hide — if, in fact, he's hiding at all. So I don't know where he is. You know, I just don't spend that much time on him, Kelly, to be honest with you. I'm more worried about making sure that our soldiers are well-supplied; that the strategy is clear; that the coalition is strong; that when we find enemy bunched up like we did in Shahikot Mountains, that the military has all the support it needs to go in and do the job, which they did.
: Q: But don't you believe that the threat that bin Laden posed won't truly be eliminated until he is found either dead or alive?
: THE PRESIDENT: Well, as I say, we haven't heard much from him. And I wouldn't necessarily say he's at the center of any command structure. And, again, I don't know where he is. I — I'll repeat what I said. I truly am not that concerned about him. I know he is on the run. I was concerned about him, when he had taken over a country. I was concerned about the fact that he was basically running Afghanistan and calling the shots for the Taliban.
Attributed, Misquotations
“I think the whole policy of pre-emptive war is a serious,serious mistake.”
Free the Airwaves! (2002)
3rd Presidential Debate, October 13, 2004 (See his March 13, 2002 quote)
2000s, 2004
“I don't consider Osama Bin Laden to be a terrorist. I consider him to be a resistance fighter.”
Roundtable discussion on PBS regarding Islam--April 14th 2006, answering a question posed by Ray Suarez.
2000s
“[ Osama bin Laden is] either alive and well or alive and not too well or not alive.”
DoD News Briefing October 07, 2002 http://www.defenselink.mil/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=3786
2000s
Hardball with Chris Matthews, November 16 2004.
2000s