Conservatives Dispute Bush Portrayal of Islam as Peaceful

 https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/2002/11/30/conservatives-dispute-bush-portrayal-of-islam-as-peaceful/ce21081c-8a4b-4180-abf2-aa7d0d4a7692/

In a score of speeches since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, the president has called for tolerance of Muslims, describing Islam as "a faith based upon peace and love and compassion" and a religion committed to "morality and learning and tolerance."

But a large number of foreign policy hawks -- some of them with advisory roles in the Bush administration -- have joined religious conservatives in taking issue with Bush's characterizations. While most of them understand the political rationale for Bush's statements -- there's no benefit in antagonizing Muslim allies such as Pakistan and Indonesia -- they say the claim is dishonest and destined to fail.