"Mission Accomplished" - A Printed Banners Story

On May 1st, 2003, President George W. Bush addressed sailors on the USS Abraham Lincoln, while in front of a printed banner that read the words "Mission Accomplished." On that day, and televised throughout America, the President declared an end to the major combat operations in Iraq. As guerilla warfare in Iraq not only continued, but increased after this point, Bush's comments (as well as the outdoor banner) have become symbols of controversy.

The number of U.S. casualties after the speech overtook the number of U.S. casualties before the speech in less than six months, a highly controversial fact to a public under the impression the mission had already been accomplished.

And what gave the American people that impression? Was it just the words on the customized vinyl banner? Likely not, as Bush was quoted during the speech as saying "in the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed." He later refers to the battle in past tense, and often uses the word "accomplishment" when discussing the militaries part.

Former Senate Minority and Majority Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota called the Mission Accomplished outdoor banner "one of the most significant embarrassments of the entire Iraq experience." While many government officials have claimed the "Mission Accomplished" outdoor banner was a reference to the specific mission of the crew of the USS Abraham Lincoln, the sign and the Presidential address that came with it are now viewed by the public as examples of the Bush Administration's inability to except reality.

The incident has also drawn notice as one of the few moments Bush admitted to a mistake during his eight years as President. In November of 2008, Bush stated in an interview with CNN that the outdoor banner "conveyed the wrong message." And in January of 2009, the former President stated "clearly, putting 'Mission Accomplished' on an aircraft carrier was a mistake."

He has never admitted it was actually his mistake, however. In fact, many former-Bush aides have attempted to take the fall. Both the Navy and former White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan has claimed they were the ones responsible. Additionally, current CBS News political analyst Dan Bartlett claimed he "was the guy who actually signed off" on the creation of the customized vinyl banner.

"I regret it to this day, because it did send the wrong message," Bartlett claimed. "(The fact that Bush didn't) throw us under the bus is why he endears so much loyalty from people like myself and others who had worked for him."

What Bartlett has apparently forgotten, however, is that the White House did actually throw the Navy "under the bus," claiming that it was them who called for the banner, not the White House. Navy officials would later admit that while the banner was their idea, it was the White House that was actually charged with making it.

It could be argued that the fact that Bush didn't "throw Bartlett under the bus" is just another reason for criticism, as the gigantic outdoor banner has become a symbol of the failures and disastrous legacy of President George W. Bush.