In Econ Chats,Bush Finds (chooses) People Eager to...Praise

[DeepModem Mom]

LA Times:

TAMPA, Fla. — In his initial public appearances of this campaign year, President Bush has settled on a favorite format as he travels around the country pitching his economic policies. The White House calls it a "conversation," although Bush speaks far more than he listens during the nearly hourlong sessions that amount to an economics seminar for Everyman.

At these events, like the one held here Monday, the president shares a stage with as many as half a dozen carefully screened participants, each perched on a stool and armed with a wireless microphone.

Bush makes some opening remarks and then turns the floor over to an emcee and the other guests, typically a couple of small-business owners and two or three workers. Without fail, they relate upbeat stories that reinforce the president's economic program, especially his across-the-board tax cuts....

***

In a conference call with reporters after Bush's appearance, Sen. Bob Graham (D-Fla.) rued that the president had not spent sufficient time in the state to discern the true effect of his "misguided economic policies."


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-bush17feb17,1,7766641.story?coll=la-home-politics


Note: Excellent, proactive, use of one of our excellent group of former candidates -- hope this will continue throughout the campaign.

[Gman]

1. The press sees right through these dog and pony shows

If there was a real give and take of ideas during these things, the press would be praising Bush. But they're really not impressed.

[pinkpops]

2. some of the "employees" sitting behind him

look paralyzed, dying to say what they think but intimidated.