Bush's 'regular guy' mode can backfire (meet with American Idol finalists)

[sabra]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-07-27-bush-regular-guy_x.htm

Bush's 'regular guy' mode can backfire

WASHINGTON — Amid tensions in Iraq and the Middle East, President Bush meets Friday with a special delegation: Taylor Hicks and the American Idol finalists.

Visiting with the most recent stars of the Fox TV show is the latest example of Bush being a regular guy, exuding a down-home style that has been both a blessing and curse to the president.

His aides say Bush likes to show a lighter side, taking the edge off weighty matters that come with his job. Some critics, though, say some of these moments demonstrate a lack of seriousness.

...

White House spokesman Tony Snow said the president believes in "putting people at ease, so that you can have a candid conversation."

[samsingh]

1. shouldn't bush meet with people in the middle east right now?

[Ezlivin]

3. Can we send Bush on one of those special "rendition" flights to Egypt?

He'd have a memorable time and pick up quite a bit of Arabic.

[samsingh]

52. that assumes he could actually learn something

[colorado_ufo]

18. What are you thinking!

[samsingh]

53. why think the impossible right?

[WCGreen]

2. If this clown had to go through the rigors of an AMerican Idol

competition...

HE wouldn't have made the dirst cut....

[hatrack]

4. Please tell me this is from the Onion. Please.

:eyes:

[Botany]

5. Please

<His aides say Bush likes to show a lighter side, taking the edge off weighty matters that come with his job.>

The boy did not know about Shi ite or Sunni factions in Iraq 2 weeks before hew started
this God awful mess.

[City Lights]

23. Just what I was thinking.

The chimp's "lighter side" is the only side he's got. :eyes:

[Carla in Ca]

43. So true

I think the gong show would be more appropriate. I hope he gets lambasted for doing this.

[jedicord]

6. Exactly what good does a candid conversation with American Idol

contestants do for all the troubles in the world?

I just can't wrap my mind around the use for a "candid conversation" with these people.:banghead:

I have no words for the useless crap from this man.:banghead:

[tridim]

16. Cindy Sheehan has been requesting a candid conversation for years

And Bush just says, "Get lost".

[saigon68]

45. He doesn't have anything to say to her

Look at his eyes

[Jack from Charlotte]

21. That's easy. Most of these people have no idea anything bad is happening..

in the country having never watched a news show. They're part of Bush's biggest group of supporters.... TFM's.

See below poll on TFM's.

POLL: BUSH LOSING TFM SUPPORT

A nation divided?

WASHINGTON, May 11 - President Bush appears to be losing support among
a key group of voters who had hitherto stood firmly with the president
even as his poll numbers among other groups fell dramatically.

A new Gallup poll shows that, for the first time, Bush's approval
rating has fallen below 50% among total fucking morons, and now stands
at 44%. This represents a dramatic drop compared to a poll taken just
last December, when 62% of total fucking morons expressed support for
the president and his policies.

The current poll, conducted by phone with 1,409 total fucking morons
between May 4 and May 8, reveals that only 44% of those polled>believe
the president is doing a good job, while 27% believe he is doing a
poor job and 29% don't understand the question.

The December poll, conducted by phone with 1,530 total fucking morons,
showed 62% approved of the president, 7% disapproved and 31% didn't
understand the question.

Faltering approval ratings for the president among a group once
thought to be a reliable source of loyal support gives Republicans one
more reason to be nervous about the upcoming mid-term elections.
"If we can't depend on the support of total fucking morons," says >Sen.
Rick Santorum (R-PA), "then we've got a big problem. They're a key
factor in our electoral strategy, and an important part of today's
Republican coalition."

Weve taken the total fucking moron vote for granted," says Rep. Tom
Feeney (R-FL), "and now we're paying for it. We've let the Democrats
control the debate lately, and they've dragged discourse back into the
realm of complex, nuanced issues. So your average total fucking moron
turns on his TV and sees his Republican Congressman arguing about
Constitutional law or the complexities of state formation in the
Middle East, and he tunes out. He wants to hear comforting, pandering,
flattering bromides and he doesn't want to hear a logical argument
more complex than what you'd find on a bumper sticker."

For Feeney, the poll is a dire warning that Republicans can ignore
only at their peril. "This should send a signal that we have to regain
control of the debate if we want the support of our key constituencies
in the coming election and beyond. We need to bring public discourse
back into the realm of stupidity and vacuity. We should be talking
about homosexual illegal immigrants burning flags. We should be
talking about the power of pride. We should be talking about freedom
fries. These are the issues that resonate with total fucking morons."

But some total fucking morons say it's too late. Bill Snarpel of Enid,
Oklahoma is a total fucking moron who voted for Bush in both 2000 and
2004. But he says he won't be voting for Bush in 2008. "I don't like
it that he was going to sell our ports to the Arabs. If the Arabs own
the ports then that means they'll let all the Arabs in and then we'll
all be riding camels and wearing towels on our heads. I don't want my
children singing the Star Spangled Banner in Muslim."

Total fucking moron Kurt Meyer of Turlock, California also says his
once solid support for Bush has collapsed. "He invaded Iraq and all
those soldiers died, and for what? We destroyed all their WMDs, but
now their new president is making fun of us and saying he's going to
build nuclear bombs and that we can't stop him. Well, nuclear bombs
are even worse than WMDs, so what did we accomplish?"

Laura McDonald, a total fucking moron from Chandler, Arizona, says she
is disappointed that the president hasn't been a more forceful
advocate of Christian values. "This country was founded on Christian
values," she says, "but you'd never know it looking around and >seeing
all the Mexicans running around. I thought Bush was going to bring
Jesus back into the government. Instead, Christians are being
persecuted worse than ever before in history, because all these
Mexicans come here and tell Christians that we have to respect their
religious beliefs. So now it's illegal for children to pray in school.
Soon it will be illegal for them to speak English."

Not all total fucking morons have turned their backs on the >president.
Jeb Larkin of Topeka, Kansas says he still fully supports Bush. "He is
doing a great job. He is a great president. He is a great decider. I
have a puppy. His tail sticks straight up and you can see his
butthole."

And not all Republican lawmakers are concerned about the poll. Sen.
Lamar Alexander (R-TN), for one, does not find it a cause for >anxiety.
While he agrees that his party should not take total fucking morons
for granted, they "really don't have anywhere else to go. They're
never going to be able to understand someone like Al Gore or John
Kerry or anybody intelligent and articulate who wants to talk about
substantive issues. Just try having a conversation with one of them
about global warming. They'll say, 'Oh, but Rush says volcanoes
consume more ozone than humans do.' I mean, they're morons! Total
fucking morons!"

"They've got nowhere else to go," Alexander reaffirms with a smile,
"and they always vote."

[smirkymonkey]

36. ROFL! Where did you find that?

It's the most accurate assessment of Bush's poll numbers that I have ever seen! :rofl:

[nealmhughes]

38. Lamar Alexander is still alive?

And in the Senate?! Who would have thunk it!?!

[RCinBrooklyn]

7. Ah, priorities. Maybe he'll sing a duet with one of the losers. n/t

[Human Torch]

8. "...taking the edge off weighty matters that come with his job..."

Such as invading and occupying a country under false pretenses, leaking the name of a covert CIA agent, stealing two presidential elections with the assistance of Ken Blackwell, Katherine Harris and the folks at Diebold...

...Junior's RIGHT. Being president IS hard work.



A masked Turkish demonstrator carries a U.S flag and a banner on his shoulder that reads:'U.S. President George W. Bush' during a protest following Friday prayers in Istanbul, Turkey, Friday, July 28, 2006. Some 50 Turks chanted 'Down with Israel' and 'U.S. get out of Mideast' to protest Israeli attacks in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. (AP Photo/Osman Orsal)

[Strawman]

9. Gutiar strummin' during Katrina, American Idol Summit during this crisis

"It's hard work."

[recovering democrat]

10. Rarified Creature

quoted from this article: Kathleen Hall Jamieson, director of the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania, said the nature of the presidency precludes the idea that any occupant can be an average Joe.

"The office transforms you into a rarefied creature," she said.

Yep, he is definitely a rarified creature. I don't think the office transformed him, though. Unfortunately.

[quiet.american]

11. Anybody who buys the "regular guy" crap is a complete moron.

That is all.

[stanwyck]

31. I was at a holiday cocktail party

when the young wife of a co-worker told me she voted for Bush cause "he's the kinda guy you'd have a beer with". Now, I'd heard about that silliness. I just hadn't expected to be confronted with it. Needless to say, I can't get my head around someone making that the basis for their vote.

[quiet.american]

40. Hello! It never ceases to amaze me as to how dumb people can be.n/t

[LiberalFighter]

41. Why would anyone want to drink with a dick like him?

[psychopomp]

12. Worst person to have in charge during a crisis

But we all knew that, didn't we?
:(

[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

13. I would rather...

He would meet with Dilana Murphy from "Rockstar: Supernova". She can bring Tommy with her for good measure.

I am sure that between the three of them, a candid dialogue would ensue. ;-)

[xchrom]

14. ''taking the edge off weighty matters that come with his job.''

he doesn't DO his job -- so i cannot figure what ''edge'' or ''weighty matters'' they are talking about.

tapeworms like bush don't work -- they just suck a living off of everyone else.

[JudyM]

20. He avoids everything weighty, that's why he takes long vacations.

And generally speaks only to preselected crowds. And appoints his friends to take care of the country's business.

[sidpleasant]

24. Speaking of vacations, will Bush take August off?

It's almost vacation month for Shrub isn't it? I can't imagine he'd let what Fox News calls World War 3 get in the way of his all - important brush clearin' and bike ridin' in Crawford.

[xchrom]

25. the infuriating thing about your description is

that was a given when he was running in 00.

[tanyev]

15. Hey! Maybe they could make him a guest judge on the next round

to improve his poll numbers!

[theHandpuppet]

17. Hey, it only took him 4 years to meet with the Congressional Black Caucus

Then again, this is a man who said in 2005 he really didn't know what the Voting Rights Act of 1965 was about.

[Megahurtz]

19. How Stupid. n/t

[Supersedeas]

22. Candid about what -- popularity contests: candidly superficial

[Miss Chybil]

26. Candid conversation? It never gets any better, does it? It just never

gets any better...

[anotherdrew]

27. American Idle - gwb . n/t

[gasperc]

28. I'd be at ease if he'd work at a ceasefire in the middle east

but what the meet with the American Idol winners WTF, jackass

what a nut, Bush just appeases the Armegedon crowd

[Neecy]

29. barf...

Visiting with the most recent stars of the Fox TV show is the latest example of Bush being a regular guy, exuding a down-home style that has been both a blessing and curse to the president.


Wow, I had to check the link just to make sure this wasn't an Elizabeth Bumiller special. This is exactly the kind of fluffy crap she's been peddling in the Times.

[DinahMoeHum]

30. Aww, let the no-talents meet with the First No-Talent in the WH.

it's the best thing they're gonna get for their careers. With any luck, it will be the kiss of career death for them. Nobody's gonna hear of them 5-10 years from now.

If they don't know by now that this is the most dangerous president we have ever had, fuck 'em.

They can only be hurt by this ass-kissing photo-op and it certainly will not do anything for Bush.

Then again, they probably had no choice in the matter.

:nopity:

[stanwyck]

32. Post lots of photos, right alongside the

body count from the Mideast, the bad news on the economy, the environment, education, healthcare.
Show the shallowness, the emptiness of this fratboy who blunders through life, taking us all down with him.

[wisteria]

33. What? The President can actually carry on a conversation? n/t

[Dulcinea]

34. Wasn't there a movie about this?

"American Dreamz?"

Will Boy George be a judge on "American Idol" next season?

[smirkymonkey]

37. Yes - although it turned out with a tragic ending.

the President survived.

[yorkiemommie1]

35. He is NOT a 'regular guy'!

you MORANS! It's called ACTING!

[Cha]

39. Fucking kidding me!

The Middle East is Ablaze with Bombs and bush is "meeting" with American Idols?

Imagine Clinton doing that? Nah, Clinton's not a fucking retard.

[MnFats]

50. of course, Clinton would have been absolutely crucified...

...if he had pulled an idiotic stunt like this. with Bush and the media, it's 'aw, shucks. let him step back from the weighty issues that burden him so."
Clinton? The righties in Congress would be howling for his resignation.
this shows astonishing insensitivity.

[Cha]

51. "Astonishing insensitivity"!

And GRAND HYPOCRICY!

I keep thinking that like Golaith they are going to have a mighty fall.

[onehandle]

42. Finally! The meeting of the stupidest President ever...

...and the stupidest television show ever.

The dumbing of America is complete.

[LordshipLadyship]

44. this is a present to the dems

Here's their ad:
George Bush met with game contestants while the country suffered. He likes playing games. Are you or someone you care for just a game token for him?
George W. Bush.
American. Idle.
Idle while our men and women are being forced into duty with no hope of going home. Idle while they have no proper armour, no proper food, no hope.
Idle while our voting system has been shown to be hackable.
Idle while global warming is destroying the world.
Idle while people are crying out for new research using stem cells to cure diseases, to give them hope.
Idle while the Middle East explodes, killing innocents on all sides.
Idle while the UN calls for a cease fire.
Idle while people were desperate and dying in Katrina.
Idle while Americans are calling for an investigation into our private information being given away.
Idle while innocent Americans are being put on no-fly lists, and they happen to be against Bush policy.
Idle while the Republican party are involved in more corruption but they hide under his coat flaps and pretend they aren't connected while on the other hand they're as guilty as sin.
Idle while the Constitution is being torn up in little pieces as it suits his needs.
Idle while one mother cries out against a war that took her son, while other parents, spouses, lovers, relatives grieve for their loved ones who were killed in a war of false pretenses.
Idle while the gay, lesbian and transsexual community are simply asking for equal rights under the law, yet are supposed to be blamed for the end of marriage, yet 'family values' seems to just be applicable to Democrats, not Republicans.
Idle while the Republican controlled House and Senate do whatever benefits big business.
Idle while America's standing in the world has been crushed.
Idle while seniors cry out for help.
Idle while people have to sign oaths of loyalty to see a President who is supposed to be serving us, not the other way around.
American. Idle.
Don't you be idle.
Vote for change, and demand that your vote be recorded on paper, not on a machine where it could be tampered with.
Sick and tired of the destructive antics of the American, Idle?
You're all invited to a Party.
The Democratic Party. The Party of change. The Party of Patriots. The party who knows that this country was built on dissent and individuality and respects it. The Party of Freedoms. The Party that Respects the laws this country of ours was based on.
We won't be idle when it comes to America and Americans. We won't sacrifice our men and women on a lie. We'll rise up and fight for equality for all Americans, not just the powerful and wealthy. We'll protect the earth. And we won't back down in a real crisis or pander to terrorism. We won't be idle.
Will you?

If any DUer wants to give any or all of this to someone that is running against the Re-pubs, feel free. Change whatever needs to be changed. Improve it, tighten it up, cite facts.

My wife and I are sick of the 'celebrity' in the White House. Fed up with the toy president. The Dems need to go after him with a taste for blood. Show fear to a bully, you'll stay under his boot heel. Throw his own damn tactics back on him, you'll be surprised at how fast he kisses the dirt.

Mr. Lordship

[ima_sinnic]

46. fabulous! just sent to DNC, pleading that they USE IT

I like it so much I will be sending to a few other places, too
:kick: :thumbsup: :kick: :thumbsup: :kick: :thumbsup: :kick:

[Hubert Flottz]

47. HEY GEORGE!!!!!!!!!!!

Gawd's gonna get you for that!

COVETOUSNESS IS IDOLATRY

Col 3:5-MORTIFY THEREFORE YOUR MEMBERS WHICH ARE UPON THE EARTH; FORNICATION, UNCLEANNESS, INORDINATE AFFECTION, EVIL CONCUPISCENCE, AND COVETOUSNESS, WHICH IS IDOLATRY.

"COVETOUSNESS" as in..."We Need That Oil In Iraq!" And not caring how many die, or are tortured ,or raped, in the process, are not things I ever learned were good, when they made me go to Sunday School.

[Evergreen Emerald]

48. its a fox show...paybacks

He is advertising for Fox.

[UTUSN]

49. Shrub to HICKS: "What's it like to get more votes than anybody else?"

I fergit which late nighter said it.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

54. 'regular guy' mode = shtick

He wouldn't know "regular" if it bit him on the ass.