Listening to Bush’s press conference this morning was a trial in patience. Despite his low poll ratings, despite the recent calls for Rumsfeld to resign, despite the calls for withdrawal from Iraq, despite the not so rosy economy, Bush was on the defensive yet again, while sailing down the deep river of denial.

AP News has a recap of the highlights of the press conference, for those who did not have the stomach to listen.

On the subject of withdrawal from Iraq:

Bush was asked whether there would come a day when no U.S. forces are in Iraq.

“That, of course, is an objective. And that will be decided by future presidents and future governments of Iraq,” he said.

Asked if that meant it won’t happen on his watch, the president said, “You mean a complete withdrawal? That’s a timetable. I can only tell you that I will make decisions on force levels based upon what the commanders on the ground say.”

Acknowledging the public’s growing unease with the war — and election-year skittishness among fellow Republicans — the president nonetheless vowed to keep U.S. soldiers in the fight.

On the recent calls for Rumsfeld to resign:

He also stood by embattled Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld.

“I don’t believe he should resign. He’s done a fine job. Every war plan looks good on paper until you meet the enemy,” he said.

On his “political capital”:

More than 2,300 Americans have died in three years of war in Iraq. Polls show the public’s support of the war and Bush himself have dramatically declined in recent months, jeopardizing the political goodwill he carried out of the 2004 re-election victory.

“I’d say I’m spending that capital on the war,” Bush quipped.

When asked about his failed Social Security plan, he simply said: “It didn’t get done.” But the president defiantly defended his warrantless eavesdropping program, and baited Democrats who suggest that he broke the law.

On the economy:

“Productivity is strong. Inflation is contained. Household net worth is at an all-time high,” Bush said, crediting his administration’s policies.

On the premise that Bush intended to go to war in Iraq since early in his presidency:

On Iraq, Bush bristled at a suggestion that he had wanted to wage war against that country since early in his presidency.

“I didn’t want war. To assume I wanted war is just flat wrong … with all due respect,” he told a reporter. “No president wants war.” To those who say otherwise, “it’s simply not true,” Bush said.

On reshuffling his staff:

Bush scoffed at a question suggesting he should reshuffle or shake up his White House staff to help raise his sagging poll standings. But he did hint that he might bring in an experienced Washington insider to work with a disgruntled Congress.

“I’m not going to announce it right now,” Bush said, adding that he’s satisfied with the staff he’s surrounded himself with.

The full transcript of the press conference is available here.

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