“It was during a press conference on Sept. 16 [2001], in response to a question about homeland security efforts infringing on civil rights, that [President] Bush first used the telltale word ‘crusade’ in public. ‘This is a new kind of–a new kind of evil,’ he said. ‘And we understand. And the American people are beginning to understand. This crusade, this war on terrorism is going to take a while.’ Muslims around the world were incensed. Two days later, [White House Press Secretary] Ari Fleischer tried to perform damage control. ‘I think what the president was saying was–had no intended consequences for anybody, Muslim or otherwise, other than to say that this is a broad cause that he is calling on America and the nations around the world to join.’ As to ‘any connotations that would upset any of our partners, or anybody else in the world, the president would regret if anything like that was conveyed.’ ”
– Ron Suskind, “Without a Doubt,” The New York Times, Oct. 17, 2004