Washington Week Show # 4238 - SPECIAL REPORT - America at War. Host Gwen Ifill, guests include Steve Inskeep, Tom Gjelten, Doyle McManus, Alexis Simendinger, Dana Priest.
Composite footage (unclean) with Washington Week title and text: Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld stating "This is not an attack on the Iraqi people, it's not an attack on the country of Iraq, it's an attack on that regime that has refused to disarm peacefully." Nighttime footage of bombs exploding in downtown Baghdad, American soldiers, apache helicopters taking off, Saddam Hussein, Oil fields, President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld seen walking up to podium for press briefing.
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Host Gwen Ifill conducts an interview with Steve Inskeep (NPR). Steve is in Doha, Qatar. Gwen also transitions into next segment.
President George W. Bush stating "As Secretary Rumsfeld said we're making progress, we will stay on task until we've achieved our objective, which is to rid Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and free the Iraqi people so they can live in a society that is hopeful, and democratic and at peace in this neighborhood."
Host Gwen Ifill interviews Tom Gjelten (NPR), Dana Priest, and Doyle McManus (LA Times). They discuss what kind of war this is becoming. A shock and awe war as opposed to a conventional war. Also discuss how the President is presenting himself to the public with Alexis Simendinger (National Journal).
Discussion continues with the intelligence aspects of the war, the invisible war behind what is seen by the public, and how the message is being managed to the American public.
The discussion continues with questions about possible fallout with the international community, especially with re-construction of Iraq. Issue with the war extending beyond a week. End credits