White House deputy press secretary Scott Stanzel said President Bush was asleep when the execution took place and was not awakened.

CNN: Hussein executed with 'fear in his face'

The president had been briefed by national security adviser Stephen Hadley before retiring and was aware the hanging was imminent, Stanzel said.

CNN: Hussein executed with 'fear in his face'

"He says he'll never send troops into harm's way without enough firepower and support, but he voted against all of the firepower and support when it mattered most for our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan, " Bush campaign spokesman Scott Stanzel said in a written statement.

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