Bush news conferences show ability to command attention

[maddezmom]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Relaxing at his Texas ranch, President Bush stayed out of sight while Iraq grew bloodier and Washington swirled with questions about his pre-Sept. 11 actions. Democrats began to ask where was the president at such a crucial moment. Even Republicans started to worry about Bush's absence.

~snip~

For Bush, it has taken many forms:

_"Official" events scheduled more often than not in important electoral states, where his visit is sure to draw heavy local coverage. Bush will make his 27th trip to up-for-grabs Pennsylvania on Monday. On Thursday, Bush was in Iowa, which he narrowly lost four years ago, to spend Tax Day arguing the resuscitative effects on the economy of his tax cuts.

~snip~

_The ability to direct government policy in ways that targeted voter blocs might like. Hoping to please Hispanics, Bush in January announced a proposal to give temporary visas to illegal immigrants with jobs. In 2002, he imposed steep foreign steel tariffs, aimed at currying favor in the steel-producing battleground states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio.

_Photo opportunities such as Bush's surprise Thanksgiving visit to American troops in Baghdad and his dramatic, flight-suited landing on an aircraft carrier to announce the end to major combat in Iraq.

_The benefit of having taxpayers cover much of the expense of travel and appearances, even when the stated purpose of the trip is for the campaign.

~snip~
more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-04-17-incumbent-edge_x.htm

Our taxes at work. :eyes:

[Just Me]

1. Is there a way I can bomb this story before it makes me yak?

:puke:

So much for preemptive strikes!!!!

[maddezmom]

16. agree with ya, the opening sentence is a killer

relaxing on the farm, while our guys are getting killed or limbs blown off...not to mention all the death and destruction that's happening in Iraq.

[Dark]

2. WHAT THE FUCK?!

Relaxing at his Texas ranch, President Bush stayed out of sight while Iraq grew bloodier and Washington swirled with questions about his pre-Sept. 11 actions.

Our men and women are dying and Dumbya takes ANOTHER vacation?:wtf:

[Cronus Protagonist]

4. That's his modus operandi

You should be used to it by now :)

http://brainbuttons.com/home.asp?stashid=13

[John_H]

3. Classic Scott Lindlaw--the biggest ass -licker in the WH press corps

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

5. Bush's farting in elevator shows ability to command attention

Hell, my niece commands attention everytime she throws a tantrum.

BTW, I'm still unconvinced about the Thanksgiving and aircraft carrier photo ops. Has anyone seen a picture of Air Force One on the ramp in Baghdad, or any coverage other than Faux? Has anyone seen a video of * climbing into or out of the Navy plane used during the "Mission Accomplished" fiasco? I'm wondering if the snuck him in on a 'copter and then had him make a stage entrance. I wouldn't put it past them -- hell, they turned the carrier around so you couldn't see the San Diego coastline (a fact the mediawhores missed) and kept the crew cruising in circles and away from their loved ones for an extra day so * could sleep on the boat. Ever since I found out that the flight deck crew on the carrier was chosen by the photogenic qualities of their uniforms and not the importance -- or relevance -- of their duties, I have been more and more suspect of all the grandstanding events * appears in.

*'s polls must have been set for a plummet for Rove & Hughes to risk putting him in front of the cameras during primetime.

[ultramega]

7. LOL. Train wrecks command attention too.

So do streakers, hookers and sidewalk preachers.

[Cigarskunk]

6. Funny in it's own way

You've gotta admit that one rather funny aspect of Bush's vacations is the fact that it drives the press guys nuts. Apparently his ranch is located out in the middle of no where - the closest town is Waco, which has somewhat between jack and shit in the way of entertainment - nothing like Martha's where Clinton use to chill and the press had all of the luxeries to enjoy. :D

[markses]

9. Nothing funny about incompetence and criminal negligence

Your point is on its face typically right wing: worrying about whether Bush's down-home manners and "Texasism" makes the "elite press corps" upset. Who gives a shit? Only fools would spend anytime contep,lating such nonsenses. And, while Bush is frittering around on his recently purchased pig farm playing to imbeciles who find the displacement of the press corps funny and generally cementing a false picture of himself as a "man of the people" rather than his true privileged and monumentally cowardly hide, thousands die, and the store goes unwatched. Of course, there will always be idiots around to marvel at how hardy har funny it is that the press corps has to stay in the Midland HoJo's. This is precisely Bush's ONE and ONLY skill as a politician: To turn otherwise thoughtful people into simpering idiots and craven cowards by playing on their weakness and their bizarre resentment.

[daleo]

12. Excellent response

n/t

[Skittles]

13. what the FUCK is funny

about our stupid fucking moronic piece of SHIT "president" lollying around while soldiers and civilians are being KILLED EVERY DAY in a WAR HE STARTED??? WHAT THE FUCK IS FUNNY ABOUT IT?????

[moondust]

8. Osama commands a lot of attention.

Even more than the Lil' Cowboy misusing OUR money.

[Democat]

10. U.S media are nothing but Bush boot lickers

Whatever happened to the media that attacked Clinton relentlessly for eight years?

Now they spend their time writing about how great Bush is and defending him like some sort of propaganda arm of the Bush election campaign.

[burrowowl]

11. It was Boo$hie's

TIE that commanded attention and made people dizzy!

[JoFerret]

14. Just watching for the inevitable meltdown is all.

.

[Ripley]

15. I was seething when I first started reading this, however...

once finished I thought it was not a cheerleader piece for Smirk. I think the writer cleverly showed how his "photo ops" can backfire and with all of the power an incumbent pres has he's frittering that free press away.