Bush Demands Kerry Apologize For Iraq Comment

Bush (left) has demanded an apology from Kerry (right) (AFP) November 1, 2006 -- With less than one week to go before the U.S. congressional elections, President George W. Bush has called on John Kerry, the Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, to apologize for saying that college students could "get stuck in Iraq" if they don't study hard.

Bush described the comment as shameful and insulting to U.S. troops.

"The members of the United States military are plenty smart and they are plenty brave, and the senator from Massachusetts owes them an apology," he told a campaign rally in Georgia.

Kerry has refused to apologize, saying his comment was meant to be critical of Bush and his Iraq policy, which he described as "broken."

Kerry also said his comment had been part of a "joke" that he had failed to deliver properly in his speech.

Neither Kerry nor Bush are on the ballot for the November 7 elections, but they have been busy campaigning for other members of their respective Democratic and Republican parties.

(compiled from agency reports)