[SMARTY]

I thought W meant that he wouldn't back pedal or permit himself to be put on the defensive about his views and actions...because he had the strength of conviction to say and do what he thought was the right thing.

Maybe I interpreted his meaning wrong.

[C. Edmund Wright]

I thought W meant that he wouldn't back pedal or permit himself to be put on the defensive about his views and actions...because he had the strength of conviction to say and do what he thought was the right thing.

To a small degree, you are right....BUT: The problem with that assessment is that A: he never did have the strength of conviction to SAY the right thing....and B: you can't take what he said this week out of context of all that he refused to say for eight years in office.