What Pres. Bush Did Not Mention in the Rose Garden

YESTERDAY, Pres. Bush spoke to the press in the Rose Garden about the economy. His speech was full of optimism and positive words about how hundreds of thousands of jobs are being created, how Americans are working hard and doing well, and how bright and promising the future looks.

Here is what the President said:

Thanks to good, old-fashioned American hard work and productivity, innovation, and sound economic policies of cutting taxes and restraining spending, our economy continues to gain strength and momentum.

Our economy added 215,000 jobs for the month of November. We've added nearly 4.5 million new jobs in the last two-and-a-half years. Third-quarter growth of this year was 4.3 percent. That's in spite of the fact that we had hurricanes and high gasoline prices. The unemployment rate is 5 percent. And that's lower than the average for the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s.

We have every reason to be optimistic about our economic future. I mean, when you think about the news that's come in, the jobs report, the recent report on strong economic growth, low inflation, strong productivity, lower gasoline prices, a strong housing market, increases in consumer confidence and business investment, our economic horizon is as bright as it's been in a long time.

The foundation for growth is strong. It's based upon low taxes and restrained government spending, legal reform, incentives for saving and investment.

The small business sector is vibrant. Most new jobs in America are created by the small business sector, and our entrepreneurs are doing well. We got the best work force in America -- in the world. People are productive, they're hardworking. Our ingenuity and know-how and -- is vibrant. This economy is in good shape.

We're not going to rest until every American who wants a job can find one. We're going to continue to work for good policies for our workers and our entrepreneurs. I'll continue to push for pro-growth economic policies, all aimed at making sure every American can realize the American Dream.

Thank you very much.

Here is what the President did not mention -- although, according to Scott McClellan at Friday afternoon's press briefing, the President had known about it since the previous evening:

Ten Marines on foot patrol were killed and 11 wounded by a roadside bomb near Fallujah, Iraq, in one of the deadliest attack on American troops in recent months, the Marine Corps announced on Friday. A brief statement said the Marines were from Regimental Combat Team 8, of the 2nd Marine Division.

They were hit Thursday by a roadside bomb, which the military calls an improvised explosive device, or IED, made from several large artillery shells, the Marines said. IEDs are the most common cause of U.S. casualties in Iraq.
[...]
The 10 deaths on Thursday marked the deadliest incident for Marines in Iraq since 14 were killed by a roadside bomb on Aug. 3 near Haditha, about 140 miles northwest of Baghdad. Those Marines were traveling in a lightly armored amphibious assault vehicle when it hit the bomb, flipped into the air and exploded in a fireball.

Try to imagine how the families of those 10 dead Marines might feel, knowing that the man who sent their husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons to Iraq gave a glowing speech about the economy with not one word about their loved ones killed in Iraq. Imagine, if you can, what emotions they might be experiencing right now, knowing that their loved ones' Commander-in-Chief decided not to mention their deaths because it was such a downer, and he "didn't want to take the focus off today's message, the 'good news' about the economy. "