Sep 5, 2006

Bush's speech to the MOAA: one wire service, two takes

The Times (via the AP) runs two nearly identical recaps of Bush's recent speech about the threat of terrorism. Which is the original, and which is edited? Can't be sure. The differences in the beginning, though, are telling.

Version one:
Bush quotes terrorists to warn U.S. of their intent

President Bush used terrorists' own words today to warn Americans about the threat of future attack as the fall campaign season kicks into high gear.

Bush said the terrorist danger remains potent.
Version two:
Bush reminds Americans U.S. is at war

President Bush used terrorists' own words Tuesday to battle complacency among Americans about the threat of future attack, defending his record as the fall campaign season kicks into high gear.

Bush said that despite the absence of a successor on U.S. soil to the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the terrorist danger remains potent.
My hunch is that "battle complacency" was seen as biased, and "despite the absence of a successor" inept. If the latter is the edit, though, it's a remarkable change.

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