Bush sees renewed spirit during Gulf Coast visit

Later, he went to the hard-hit Mississippi coast town of Pass Christian to celebrate Monday’s reopening of DeLisle Elementary School — which is now educating students from two schools for a combined population of 1,100, down from 2,000 before the storm. Mingling with dozens of children gathered in a grassy courtyard, Bush heard one boy say he had a dream he was president. “Someday you may be,” Bush replied with a laugh.

He then visited a classroom of kindergarten children wiggling in their seats and running to hug him and Laura Bush.

“Part of the health of a community is to have a school system that is vibrant and alive,” the president told them. “This school system is strong, and it’s coming back.”

Rejecting Democrats’ claims
In the interview, Bush rejected criticism from Democrats that his visits — this was his eighth — were largely for publicity and that he lacks a coherent reconstruction plan.

“I don’t think Washington ought to dictate to New Orleans how to rebuild,” he said. Bush said he had told New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin that “we will support the plan that you develop.”

Of his Supreme Court selection, Bush was asked about growing criticism from the political right that Miers lacks proven conservative credentials.

“My answer is Harriet Miers is going to be confirmed and people will get to see why I put her on the bench,” he said. The first lady was asked if she shared her husband’s conviction. “Absolutely. Absolutely,” she said.

“She’s very deliberate and thoughtful and will bring dignity to wherever she goes, but certainly to the Supreme Court. She’ll be really excellent,” she said.

Asked if she believed some of the criticism reflected possible sexism, she responded: “I think that’s possible.”

On other subjects, Bush:

• Predicted the Oct. 15 Iraqi elections on a new constitution would be marked by violence from “a group of terrorists and killers who want to stop the advance of democracy.” And, Bush said, “I also expect people to vote.”
• Expressed confidence that the government would develop a plan “to handle a major outbreak” of bird flu if it spreads to this country.
• Declined to discuss a federal grand jury investigation that includes an inquiry into the role, if any, that top adviser Karl Rove played in disclosing the identity of an undercover CIA agent. “I’m not going to talk about the case. It’s under review. Thank you for asking,” Bush said tersely.

Bush was asked about criticism by some Democrats that while Iraqis were not required to repay money they have received from Washington, hurricane victims were required to do just that recent relief legislation passed by Congress.

“What Congress has said is, you’ll have five years to repay plus an additional five years to repay. And so I think it’s the kind of package that Congress was comfortable with giving, and I was happy to sign it,” Bush said.

Laura Bush was asked how her husband was holding up personally under the strains of recent major crises and setbacks. But before she could answer, Bush interjected: “He can barely stand. He’s about to drop on the spot.”

Laughing, the first lady said: “He’s doing great. He’s got big broad shoulders.”

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