"I ASSUME I'M RIGHT":

Bush Will 'Lead' Drive For Changes to Social Security: In Interview, President Sees Aggressive Push for Revamp, Defends Stance on Mideast (JOHN D. MCKINNON and CHRISTOPHER COOPER, 1/11/05, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL)

While vigorous in describing his domestic agenda, Mr. Bush was at his most animated when discussing prospects for bringing democracy to the Middle East, an idea he said is being propelled forward by the weekend balloting among Palestinians and the Iraqi elections scheduled for Jan. 30. After the formal 30-minute interview ended, Mr. Bush paused while escorting reporters out of the Oval Office to explain at length his relish at joining what he sees as a historic effort at transformation, amid widespread skepticism about prospects for success among Western governments and even some of his fellow Republicans.

"I understand there are many who say, 'Bush is wrong,' " the president said, flanked by incoming National Security Adviser Stephen Hadley and other senior aides. "I assume I'm right.

"It's exciting to be part of stimulating a debate of such significance," he went on. "It really is the philosophical argument of the age."

Immediately after the interview, Mr. Bush placed a congratulatory call to newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas. But during the interview he cautioned that Mr. Abbas has much to prove before Washington will make "tactical decisions" regarding aid and the possibility of a special envoy to the region.

Mr. Bush said simply holding an election, described by observers as fair, was a step toward establishing peace in the region. "For there to be two states living side by side in peace, both of them must be democracies, at least in this part of the world," he said.

Regarding Iraq, Mr. Bush stood firm on the schedule for elections, saying the U.S. was doing "everything we can to fight these killers off" who are opposed to elections there. He said "I hope" that Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi doesn't waver in his commitment to that date and said he's seen no sign of that in their conversations.

Mr. Bush also appeared to be tempering expectations when he said the balloting is the first step in normalization of the country. Though the U.S. at first wanted wide participation in the elections, he said the ultimate test will be constructing a constitution and forming a representative government, the major tasks assigned to the newly elected representatives. "It is really important to keep this election in perspective, that...it's a part of a process," Mr. Bush said. "I'm optimistic for Iraq. ...I'm also realistic about Iraq."