LAT: Bush Hears Straight Talk from Steelworkers ("all cited charm")

[DeepModem Mom]

THE RACE TO THE WHITE HOUSE
Bush Hears Straight Talk From Steelworkers
A rare session aboard his private bus yields a polite but pointed view of Ohioans' concerns.

By Edwin Chen, Times Staff Writer


CANTON, Ohio — As President Bush's campaign bus barreled down Interstate 77 toward this Rust Belt city on a recent Saturday morning, an unusual focus group with 10 local steelworkers convened inside the vehicle. Conducting the session was Bush himself.

Even in an election year, Bush's direct encounters with the public have been infrequent, fleeting and almost always choreographed. In the free-flowing give-and-take aboard his private bus, however, the president got a polite but candid earful about the uneasy feeling many such workers have about the economy....

***

The Ohio workers he met with — employed by Timken Co., an old-line manufacturer of ball bearings and other steel products — live under the threat of plant closings.

The group included Democrats and Republicans, white-collar workers and union members.

The participants all cited Bush's personal charm, and his ability to put them at ease and encourage candor....


***

John Grogg, a furnace operator who put on the dress blues of his Pennsylvania Air National Guard unit for the occasion, quoted the president as saying: "You know, if I should lose this reelection for president of the United States, I know that I've done as good a job as I can do. And God would say, 'Good servant, take a break.' "...

***

At one point during the Ohio session, Bush lauded the sacrifices of U.S. troops in Afghanistan and Iraq. "There were tears in just about everybody's eyes," recalled (participant Vince) Martino.

At another point, Bush turned to Grogg, the Air National Guardsman, and asked, "Sergeant, have you been to Iraq yet?"

"Not yet, sir," Grogg replied.

"Do you want to go?" Bush asked.

"In a heartbeat," the reservist said.

"God bless you, son," the president told him.

"I'm only four years younger," Grogg said later. "But I kind of liked that, him calling me 'son.' "

As they parted company, the men exchanged salutes....


http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-na-steelworkers21aug21,1,6003221.story?coll=la-home-politics

[still_one]

1. Were they required to sign an oath?

[DeepModem Mom]

2. No oath mentioned in the article -- nt

[Cooley Hurd]

3. "You know, if I should lose this reelection..."

"...for president of the United States, I know that I've done as good a job as I can do. And God would say, 'Good servant, take a break.' "

AAAARRRGH! I-slams forehead on table-can't-slams forehead on table-TAKE-slams forehead on table-IT!!!

[rfkrocks]

6. My head hurts too!

how incredibly scary is this man -Halliburton not God would say "Good servant-thanks for the tax break"

[Peachhead22]

18. Halliburton *IS* his God

He worships at the altar of crony capitalism.

[koopie57]

9. Take a break???

Take a break from what?

[Cooley Hurd]

10. Even evil needs a rest?

Fucking up the world is hard work! :D

[Bo]

17. To bad God didn't say that sooner before * fried

people in the Texas electric chair. Hey * take a break from killing.
You cannot be a Christian and be pro death penalty it simple does not work. Pro death penalty is more of a satanic philosophy.

[TahitiNut]

33. That reeks of Narcissistic Personality Disorder!

The guy should really be locked up. He's completely pathological.

[kskiska]

47. Well, he's evolved.

Remember that TV interview where he refused to even entertain the idea of losing? He stated flately, "We're not going to lose."

[Cha]

61. What a fucking delusional Idiot!

Arrogant son of Bitch!

[polpilot]

64. The results of a fool at the helm are truly staggering.

Hi Zidzi!!!!! VERY descriptive and to the point. The U.S. finds itself at rock bottom. Diabolical plans executed by the criminally insane with access to the world's largest weapons cache.

[NC_Nurse]

4. I have a hard time believing

that Bush "encouraged candor". These must have been the usual invitation-only crowd.

And the part where he quotes God: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[wackywill]

13. I remember

a time in the Army, 1972. A Full Bird Col came by our enlisted barracks to speak to us in candor about how we were doing in his unit. When my turn came I didn't hesitate to let him know how a lot of us felt about some of the treatment we were receiving and the quality of his junior officers. It took about 30 seconds for him to drop the candor and remind me I was a PFC and he was a Col. Since I didn't want to spent some time in the stockade I refrained from telling him he was an asshole of the worst kind. Lucky for him we never got to spent time in a firefight together.

I imagine the bus trip was a lot like that.

[BiggJawn]

5. "free-flowing give-and-take"..Oh, SPARE me!

"Sergeant, have you been to Iraq yet?"

"Not yet, sir," Grogg replied.

"Do you want to go?" Bush asked.

"In a heartbeat," the reservist said.

And the President asked "What's your favourite web site?

"Free Republic-Dot-Com, Sir!" the reservist said.....

So he has "charm", and could "put them at ease"...

Aren't those qualities that the Anti-Christ is supposed to posess? (not that I believe in such a thing)

[Algorem]

7. steelworkers are always talking about how charming a guy is

"Oh,he's sooooo charming!(swoon)".Right.

[rfranklin]

8. Girlie men for Bush apparently...

After work they go to ballet class.

[wackywill]

14. Not that that is a bad thing......lol

[koopie57]

12. that is what I was thinking

I can't imagine this conversation taking place with a group of steelworkers. If it did, I bet the guy who said he would go to Iraq in a heartbeat will be over there in a heartbeat. * was actually doing some recruiting himself I suspect.

I can only imagine this scene taking place in * mind. But I've heard so many lies I have no idea what is real anymore.

[Geo55]

11. What kind of symbiotic relationship

does Shrub have with this Timken Co ? Isn't that the co. he spoke at a year ago about how wonderful the economy was and then they promptly laid off 1300 workers and out sourced ?
is this abused wife syndrome?

And God would say, 'Good servant, take a break.' "...

I see God's still off his meds.

[Supersedeas]

16. Our humble President has become pretty astute at assuming...

God's perspective.


In God's perspective, he's a good servant, according to our President and Prophet in Chief.
The DNC might not think he's a great servant, but God has a better prespective. Who do you trust, the DNC or God?

How can people of faith NOT find this self-serving tripe patently offensive?

[meg]

15. The religious figure Bush is back

"You know, if I should lose this reelection for president of the United States, I know that I've done as good a job as I can do. And God would say, 'Good servant, take a break.' "..."

God bless you, son," the president told him.

[AndyTiedye]

59. Bad Servant, You're Fired!

[iceman_419]

19. Whatever

It's only three steel workers, not as is Bush is going to get the Union Vote. It was a photo-op, just like any other, and Bush once again made himself look stupid. I would also question the veracity of the man who said that he would go to Iraq if given the chance. I say we get some money together, see if we can get a petition, and try to give this man his wish. He was brave enough to skip out of the draft and Vietnam, I'm sure he would have the balls to go to Iraq and try to fight the insurgence. Why is it that those who served in the military are against this war, while those who have no combat experience are so gun-ho? That is a question we all should be asking.

[tlcandie]

20. Why is Timken the only place he feels safe to talk to those lower

than himself? Something fishy here... someone inside is putting on these sideshows... he was there AGAIN in April of this year!

There's this which requires subscription or registration, which I won't do..

Misleader.org: Daily Mislead
... Last April, President Bush visited a Timken Company manufacturing plant in Ohio to press for passage of new tax cuts that he said would spur the economy. ...
daily.misleader.org/ctt.asp?u=1157561&l=36054 - 18k - Cached - Similar pages

Then I found this link:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/04/20030424-3.html

There are multimedia links here as well...

President Discusses Plan for Economic Growth in Ohio
Remarks by the President to Timken Company Employees
Canton, Ohio



<snip>
I appreciate so very much Jim Griffith, the CEO of the company, for setting up this wonderful setting for a speech. I want thank you all for taking time out of your work to come and let me share some thoughts with you. I want to thank you for loving your country.

I appreciate Hector Barreto, who is the Administrator of the Small Business Association. He's traveling with me today. And I named a good man to run what they call the General Services Administration, a fellow named Steve Perry, who learned how to be -- (applause) -- he's making sure that we spend your money wisely. And he cut his teeth right here in the Timken Company. And he's really a good man. He's doing a fine job.
<snip>

EDIT: Again, nothing but staged and setup and I'm sure those employees on the bus knew their jobs could be at stake! There were ONLY 3 whom the original article reported he talked with about their jobs.. 3 blue collars! It stated there were white collar as well for a total of 10!! Don't miss this little detail.

What you have are the BOSSES on the bus with their employees for a nice little photo op and story. AGAIN, all a setup! He doesn't dare do what Kerry/Edwards CAN and will do without hesitation or a second thought!

SECOND EDIT: Link that will show you MANY TIMKEN RELATED LINKS!!

http://www.whitehouse.gov/query.html?col=colpics&qt=Timken+Company&submit.x=10&submit.y=19


THIRD EDIT: Found this too, but can't get it to link up on the last link within my post..

Presidential Nomination: William Robert Timken
Presidential Nomination William Robert Timken Position: Chair and Director (Public) Securities Investor Protection Corp, Bd of Dirs (5)

FOURTH EDIT: GOT IT!! LOOKIE AT THIS GOODIE!!!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/01/20030109-10.html

NOMINATIONS SENT TO SENATE:

William Robert Timken, Jr., of Ohio, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2003, vice James Clifford Hudson, term expired.

William Robert Timken, Jr., of Ohio, to be a Director of the Securities Investor Protection Corporation for a term expiring December 31, 2006. (Reappointment)

[Ravy]

30. That goes a long way. Thanks for researching it tlcandie! (n/t)

[tlcandie]

40. Thanks.. it appears not many took the time to read the research LoL

:hug:

[progressivebydesign]

49. Thanks for the research!! I KNEW TImken sounded familiar.

I just posted below that I knew this had to be a setup. And.. it was. NOW.. can we get the MEDIA to get a clue on this??? Can you send that info to someone??

[AndyTiedye]

60. Is Timken kind of like Potemkin?

[bogey18]

21. A lot of people hear are going to be upset by this kind of stuff

and I hate the policies of George Bush as much as anyone you will ever know - BUT - and please hear me out about this - in a straight up face to face based simply on personality, I think Bush beats John Kerry and probably is a guy who can put a roomful of people at ease.

John Kerry was my last choice among the Dem candidates for this very reason. He looks like a guy who should be wearing a powdered wig and he is pretty stiff on a personal level. That was why I was glad he chose Edwards for his running mate. John Kerry is not Bill Clinton - he ain't even close.

We are going to see a lot of this kind of crap over the next few months, and I think it would be very dangerous to discount it entirely.

[tlcandie]

22. I don't agree unless you are talking about being comfortable

or should I say MORE comfortable around someone who you know doesn't have a clue about correct speech!

I think Kerry/Edwards are just as easy to talk to and be around as *. IMO, easier! Here's why! I can hardly listen to him because he does not make complete sentences. He slurs his words so that, more times than not, you can't understand what that word was meant to be unless you see it transcripted. He's too manipulative and drippingly, as in condesendingly, sweet!

I've seen and been around this type before and it's NOT enjoyable! And I am from a small town and around people without educations more than educated people.

Sorry, it doesn't fly with me, but I appreciate your point of view!

:hi:

[bogey18]

25. Hey, don't get me wrong

I have a visceral reaction when I hear the man say nu-ku-lar - and when I say visceral, I am talking about gag reflex. But notice what kind of stuff George was saying to these steel workers - this was not political discourse, this was one on one conversation. I sincerely doubt John Kerry would have made as good an impression. On the other hand, Edwards would have had them eating out of his hand.

Personal charm meter:
Bill Clinton 10
John Edwards 9
George Bush 7
John Kerry 4
Dick Cheney -2

[tlcandie]

26. It was manipulation and phrases meant to get those exact

responses out of them for the journalists. Sorry, I still don't agree!

EDITED TO ADD: BUT, I do see how those who enjoy being manipulated would enjoy it!

:hug:

[kskiska]

45. The recent interview in GQ puts that to rest

The interviewer sat down to have a few beers with Kerry and found him extremely personable. People who meet him don't seem to have a problem. If he were to meet with those very same steelworkers they may have come away charmed, too.

[JI7]

50. it was put to rest long time ago

with all his campaign appearances and how his support would increase as a result . and unlike bush, kerry's events are open so there are true undecideds who show up.

[PsN2Wind]

23. You mean Kerry

is a little "too French" for you?

[leftchick]

24. you should read the Garry Trudeau interview in Rollingstone....

About his time at Yale with shrub*. It would give you a whole new perspective on "bush*s charm" factor...
He gives me the CREEPS!!!

:puke:

[Ravy]

28. He can charm a room, yet he instills fear in the country and the world.

But I agree with you, lots of people will look past the world horror fact.

[leesa]

31. Do you not pay any attention to anything?

Bush is chronically irritable, mean and nasty. Where have you been? Teeveeland?

We aren't playing that GOP game that you are playing. These are things THEY told you to think and you are swallowing the con.

[Name removed]

Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[JI7]

42. yeah,Kerry can do well with "nascar" type people

it's the media stereotype to try to paint him as some out of touch northeastern elitist .

but when people see him and talk and listen to him they do like him. this is how he won in iowa which is a rural type state and where it's most about one on one with candidates. it's how he gets great reviews at rallies.

as for bush, he is repulsive and all of his crowds are loyal supporters. they make sure they know what will be asked in advance.

[bogey18]

52. Your points are well taken

thanks. I will re-think my opinion on the charm factor.

I am just so scared when I see anyting that looks like a plus for Bush, because the thought of his cartel in power for another 4 years actually terrifies me.

[leesa]

27. All bussed in from the last campaign speech. There are probably only

a few hundred supporters now, they just keep moving them around like chess pieces.

[scarface2004]

29. this whole story is a fabrication...

was promulgated by the swift boat liars...drudge just broke that bush was a thousand miles away at the time this was purportedly happening!!

[DeepModem Mom]

32. From the article, about the idea for the meeting, and assembling of group:

"The idea for the meeting came from the Bush campaign, and Timken's senior human resources officials assembled the group — a cross-section of the company, a spokesman said. Neither the campaign nor the company issued the seven men and three women any do's or don'ts, according to Martino and Jason Saragian, a Timken spokesman."

[oneighty]

41. Nope

You-all choose the most polite steelworkers from among us and be sure to include that jerk in the Guard, tell him to dress up.

180

[poliguru]

34. Not choreographed, maybe...

but certainly manipulated. Did anyone note the fact that there were only 10 steelworkers on the bus? What this says to me is that 1) he can't handle a large group, because they might gang up on him, 2) he depended entirely on his "charm," because his charisma isn't as effective with large groups, 3) since it was on the bus, there was no media (I assume) to report it, so what really was discussed, reactions, etc. can be heavily edited and manipulated, and 4) it made it easier to pick out people who would be favorable to Bush. Repubs and Dems, maybe - but there are Dems (like Zell) who are really rabid Repubs, and there are Dems who are clueless, and there are Dems who are pretty right-leaning on a lot.

What a bullshit show. I hope there's a lot of steelworkers asking themselves, "I wonder why I wasn't invited? Hmm..."

[napi21]

I'd bet Timkin screened and hand picked these guys!

When I first read the beginning of this thread, I couldn't believe the secret service would let 10 Ohio steelworkers "inside a bus" with shrub! I knew a lot of the steelworkers in both Pa. & Ohio, and although they're all great guys, they are very vocal with their opinions. I have to believe most, if not all, of them are very unhappy with the job situation and the economy in general.

Interesting that they let even 10 iside the bus with shrub!

[kskiska]

46. Why was this done in the confines of a bus?

Why not in a public forum – one of those "Ask George" events? Why not invite all Timken's laid-off employees to express their views? Why only 10?

[napi21]

54. More than 10 would have outnumbered the SS, and might

have hurt the shrub! In a bus, there's no media, so if things get bad, nobody would know.

[peekaloo]

35. Was Boo$h wearing sandals and a fake beard and a robe when he said

that shit.

Good serpent give me a fookin' break!

[DU GrovelBot]

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[devinsgram]

37. I have only one thing to say!

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[Gyre]

38. YAAAAAAACKKKKKK!

Reminds me of "The Great White Father", fucking his poor Indian children over, time after time after time after time. More of the death-culture infesting Washington.

Reminds me also of a conversation in my head I just had with *. "Hey little Bush, you ready to go back to Crawford??? In a heartbeat sir! Good dog! Have a milkbone. :grr:

Gyre

[DeepModem Mom]

39. The participants do seem to be Bush supporters --

"At one point, as Bush was talking about his efforts to make health insurance more widely available, a steelworker named Tom Miller, who described himself as a loyal supporter, all but interrupted the president to say, 'Insurance is important, but it doesn't mean a lot if you don't have a job.'...

***

Miller told the president that he would not be getting many votes from steelworkers. Miller, a Bush supporter, drove home his point by describing the grief he caught from co-workers when he wore a 'Steelworkers for Bush' T-shirt to the plant.

'You're a brave soul,' Bush replied, touching off a round of laughter."

[Gin]

43. watta crock of sh*t.......they all cried???? and it was a mix of dems and

thugs? and they were steel workers? this whole story smells fishy....

[tlcandie]

44. Post #20 gives away the catch.. circumstances/connections..

Nothing new. Just recycled garbage and the ONLY place * would be caught dead talking to blue collars without a script!

[progressivebydesign]

48. "GOD BLESS YOU SON"?????

Bush has lost his fucking mind!! Who is HE to say things like that... he's either totally nuts or he's trying hard to remember to act "Godly". These 10 are NOT just random guys.. no way. Bullshit. A real Democrat would not be drooling over Bush. These are pre-picked guys... I'd bet on it. Bush does NOT spend time with non-screened people.

I ask you, would ANY of your Democrat friends or family "have tears in their eyes" over Bush's words?? This is another bullshit ROve set up. My father in law is registered as a Democrat, he's a frothing Rush Limbaugh fan.. who has never voted for a Democrat. Zell Miller is a Democrat. 'nuff said.

[PatriotGames]

51. What is he? The pope? This guy never ceases to amaze me.

[henslee]

53. "But I kind of like him calling me son??!!!" Um, okay.... whatever. eom

[Fovea]

55. Bush has the kind of charm

made famous by Ted Bundy.

[ksatriyakiller]

56. send that idiot to Iraq

see if he likes it.

[PROUDNWLIBERAL]

63. Send His Ass to Iraq

Send His Ass to Iraq and bring my Nephew home. What a shit head this guy is. Bet he's loved by his fellow workers! This is the type of guy you don't want to work with---brown noses the bosses and will cut your throat in a second to advance up the ladder! What a prick!

[JoFerret]

57. "But I kind of liked that, him calling me 'son.' "

...and therin lies a problem. For some reason, incomprehensible to me, many seems to see GWB as some kind of benign father figure. I see it as a group delusion.

[The empressof all]

58. Bless me Bush for I have sinned (eom)

[Toucano]

68. yeah!

They find his condescending to them "paternal".

V-O-M-I-T!

[bagnana]

62. what a disgusting person

"take a break"? Amazing. He has spent 40% of his presidency on vacation! He doesn't give one ounce of shit for these men, he cons them, he encourages them to speak their minds, and then he completely fucks them with every one of his policies. And he talks about the people sacrificing their lives in Iraq, when he was too cowardly and lazy to volunteer to put his life on the line in Vietnam. What a disgusting, manipulative, evil evil evil person.

[hansolsen]

66. The good news -- Shrub obviously has given some thought to losing!

I'll bet he hates seeing the current polls. I'll bet he seethes.

[Career Prole]

65. Gurrk! Pardon me...

:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:
:puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke: :puke:

[SammyWinstonJack]

67. GAG ME!

This arrogant pissant has an EGO the size of Dallas! And I am SICK TO DEATH of this G-d crap outta him! Not all Americans are religious and I for one hate when it's thrown in my face especially by this phony "born-again" loser! Oh and I highly doubt steelworkers "cited charm" :puke: AND! bush* knows exactly what his "serivce" while in the TANG was. He might be able to lie to others in the NG(and that is so disgusting) but I would imagine that it's kinda hard to lie to his G-d. bush* is a sorry ass excuse for a human being. Can't wait til Kerry kicks him out of office.