The Prez Creates Some "Buzz"!
Go GWB! After months and years of silence, limited news conferences, etc. GWB has, in the last two days, created a fresh buzz with his direct Q & A news conferences on everything from Iraq to the start of war to the NSA issue. More importantly it was off-the-cuff, straight-at-you statements, including his fisking of Helen Thomas, the "antique" of the WH Press Corp.The entire thing is the buzz not only in the blogosphere, but also the MSM is grabbing on in a positive fashion!
The WaPo weighed in positively, and Capt. Ed wrote on it at Captain's Quarters.
John H. at Power Line was not as positive about the MSM response, but was solid on GWB's performance.
Meanwhile over at Neal Boortz web site, in his absence, his staff give high marks to GWB for the performance, and detail the Helen Thomas exchange...
BUSH COMES OUT SWINGING
In a surprise press conference yesterday morning, George W. Bush walked into the press briefing room at the White House and held a one-hour press conference. He came out swinging and took on the critics point by point. Here are some of the high spots:
On a time line for withdrawing from Iraq, you can forget it. He said that decision will be made by future presidents. In other words, the troops will be there at least until Noon on January 20, 2009. Perhaps he'll change his mind if Republicans in Congress take a bath in this fall's elections.
On whether the much-maligned Donald Rumsfeld should resign, you can forget that too. Said Bush of Rummy: "I don't believe he should resign. He's done a fine job. Every war plan looks good on paper until you meet the enemy." So he's safe.
On the economy: "Productivity is strong. Inflation is contained. Household net worth is at an all-time high." He's absolutely right. Don't forget low unemployment.
He was also asked if he wanted war in Iraq from the start. Said the president: "I didn't want war. To assume I wanted war is just flat wrong ... with all due respect. No president wants war." And then on the subject of whether or not he should shake up his staff, he shot that down too. He says he's happy with the staff he's surrounded with.
So in other words, the media and the left can stick it...and Bush is going to stay the course. One thing's for sure..you can give this White House points for persistence.
HELEN THOMAS GETS HERS
For the first time in over a year, President Bush called on Helen Thomas yesterday. In case you don't know who Helen Thomas is, she's considered the dean of the White House press corps. She's been there longer than anyone else. In fact, Helen Thomas has been attending presidential press conferences for 160 years, beginning with the Polk administration.
Helen is a liberal. No, not just any liberal...she's a hardcore leftist...an extremist. She probably makes Michael Moore look like a centrist. She also hates George W. Bush...with a passion. So Bush has ignored her. At one point, he moved her chair from the front row to the back. Helen didn't like that very much, calling Bush a "coward."
So anyway, Bush calls on her yesterday, and here was her question:
Helen Thomas: "I'd like to ask you, Mr. President, your decision to invade Iraq has caused the deaths of thousands of Americans and Iraqis, wounds of Americans and Iraqis for a lifetime. Every reason given, publicly at least, has turned out not to be true. My question is, why did you really want to go to war? From the moment you stepped into the White House, from your Cabinet -- your Cabinet officers, intelligence people, and so forth -- what was your real reason? You have said it wasn't oil -- quest for oil, it hasn't been Israel, or anything else. What was it?"
Bush handled his response well...he had to interrupt her a few times to get in his answer. He should call on her more...liven things up a bit. One thing's for sure: Helen Thomas behaves in public like an escaped mental patient.
I just love it, but will Bush continue in this mode? Let us hope so, and then watch the ratings take an about-face and head upwards!
Like I said, GO GWB!
Duke
posted by Duke of DeLand @ 3/22/2006 09:21:00 AM
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