I'll try hard not to sound patronizing but your refusal to believe that Bush is likely quoted correctly leaves me no choice but to spell it out for you....

...every american media outlet ran the story. Haaretz is a highly regarded Israeli daily, the highest circulated at that. For agencies like AP, CNN, Reuters to run the story

The Palestinian prime minister you referred to as a member of Hammas met with the president....

...we have sit downs with terrorists nowadays?

For arguments sake scowacky say Bush is quoted correctly....would it alter your view of the man's ability to lead competently?

If not then why even debate whether he said it or not, ya know? Just say he did, say he was right and move on. I suspect though that the reason there is some vehemence in your arguing such is that you are a smart guy and you realize what a huge error it would be if true.

You don't want to believe it because it would force you to have to reexamine your position on Bush's effectiveness as a leader.

Why is it that when anyone besides the president listens to the voices in their head they get put in the loony bin?