White House press corps failed to challenge Bush's claims about Democrats, North Korea

SUMMARY: At an October 11 press conference, President Bush said he "question[s]" what he claims is the Democratic "strategy that says we can't give those on the front line of fighting terrorism the tools necessary to fight terrorism." As evidence of this alleged "strategy," Bush pointed to Democratic votes against the Military Commissions Act of 2006, which addresses the interrogation and treatment of detainees and procedures for their trials, and their votes against a bill to authorize warrantless domestic wiretaps. None of the reporters present challenged Bush's attacks on those who opposed the bills or asked him to name a Democrat who opposes the authorization of "the tools necessary to fight terrorism."

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