Bush answers Iraq and 9/11 questions
 |  President Bush speaks to reporters Tuesday night. |
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| REPORTERS QUIZ BUSH |
Bush answers questions about Iraq and 9/11
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- -- While acknowledging that it has been "a tough, tough series of weeks" for U.S. troops in Iraq and their loved ones back home, President Bush Tuesday evening insisted Iraq would gain sovereignty as scheduled on June 30.
During his prime-time news conference at the White House, the president said he would give coalition forces whatever they needed and as much "time as necessary" to "finish the work of the fallen" and to ensure democracy in Iraq.
Bush also brushed aside more than one opportunity to apologize for the government's failure to prevent the terror attacks of September 11, 2001.
Bush said all the blame for the deaths on that day belonged to the founder of the terror group al Qaeda.
The president also faced some tough questions about what he was told about intelligence gathered on potential threats before the attacks.
The Republican incumbent also talked about the future of his own job and what issues would be important to voters when they cast their ballots this November.
The following are highlights of the question and answer session.
Comparing Iraq to Vietnam >>
