So which press conference did you see? The one the conservatives seem to have tuned in, where President Bush showed such great resolve, and was sincere in his convictions and statements? Or maybe you saw the one I did, where Bush was at least resolved not to answer questions about the power hand-over at the end of June, and was sincerely confused when asked something that hadn't been scripted for him in advance.
What's with all the bitching about the "hostile" press corps? Perhaps if the President had held more than two prime time press conferences in the last 3 1/2 years, they wouldn't be all pissy. If you don't want to be asked potentially tough questions, don't hold a freaking press conference. Sit in the Oval Office with the flags wafting solemnly in the air conditioning and present your canned remarks without fear of rebuke. Which reminds me, who prepped him for this? Did he actually say, "Maybe I'm not as quick on my feet as I should be?" when asked about mistakes he might have made since 9-11? With all the second-guessing and criticism about Iraq recently, Rove and company couldn't see that one coming?
Bush also dodged a number of questions, most notably the repeated queries about who, exactly, we're handing control of the government over to in a little over 2 months, and refused to answer others (the one about why he and Cheney are testifying together). Repeating the phrase "war footing" a dozen times doesn't do it for me. Neither does rambling until you get tired of answering a particular question, then calling on someone else, or equating those who honestly disagree with your policies to terrorists.
And getting asked about the biggest mistake you've made and how you recovered from it is a question you'd get in a job interview (which is one way you could view this particular round of questioning, I suppose). Saying, "I can't recall any" makes you look, at best, like an idiot. At worst, you're a liar.
In either case, you probably aren't getting the job.
From your mouth to God's ears, Pete.
Sure you could get the job, Pete. All you have to do is have one of your daddy's like-minded friends in high places overrule the hiring manager's decision, and have him install you in the job anyway.
Worked for Bush.
Here's something weird that a caller to the O'Franken Factor pointed out today. Bush is only comfortable when he is talking about violence and threats.
Thinking back on not just last night but the Tim Russert interview, I think the caller's assertion was pretty accurate.
And spooky.
Ask him about the economy and you'll just get that vacuous Bush grin that (I guess) is supposed to be withering and smug, but reminds me more of the drunk bowheads I tried to talk into the sack in college.
And what was the deal with that question towards the end about the mercenaries? I hadn't heard jack about that until last night. Of course, thanks to Bush's illuminating explanantion, I still don't know jack. AirAmerica says there are 18,000 getting paid $1,000 per day.
I'm not sure I buy that, either. It sure would have helped all of us out here in TV Land if he would have answered the freaking question.
Anyway, as much as it pains me to agree with Pete, he hit the nail on the head. Can we afford to have someone with such lousy communication skills as the leader of our country?
And don't even get me started on the culture war and the damage he is doing to the reputation of Christianity.
I swear for a few moments during the press conference he was trying to channel George H. Especially with "Stay the Course" and the rigid hand slash/poke gesture that George H. used to use all of the time while speaking. As my wife says, half the time George W. just strings four or five adjectives together, rambles, looses his train of thought ( a sad delapidated train it is too), and then has to ask the reporter to repeat the question. Is it just me, or does George W. just need to stop hitting the bong before these things? I've heard five-year olds that can give more coherent answers.
Our president may have done more harm than good with that press conference. I was really surprised his handelers let him fly solo last night. Regardless of any political motivations for holding the press conference, I believe it was still the right thing to do. With all the bad news and uncertainty swirling about in connection with the "war on terror" and our occupation of Iraq, the American people derserve to be updated from time to time by the Commander In Chief.