Noonan: Philosophy, Not Policy – Why Bush isn't good at interviews.

[kskiska]

President Bush's interview on "Meet the Press" seems to me so much a big-story-in-the-making that I wanted to weigh in with some thoughts. I am one of those who feel his performance was not impressive.

(snip)

The president seemed tired, unsure and often bumbling. His answers were repetitive, and when he tried to clarify them he tended to make them worse. He did not seem prepared. He seemed in some way disconnected from the event. When he was thrown the semisoftball question on his National Guard experience--he's been thrown this question for 10 years now--he spoke in a way that seemed detached. "It's politics." Well yes, we know that. Tell us more.

I never expect Mr. Bush, in interviews, to be Tony Blair: eloquent, in the moment, marshaling facts and arguments with seeming ease and reeling them out with conviction and passion. Mr. Bush is less facile with language, as we all know, less able to march out his facts to fight for him.

(snip)

The Big Russ interview will not be a big political story in terms of Bush supporters suddenly turning away from their man. But it will be a big political story in terms of the punditocracy and of news producers, who in general don't like Mr. Bush anyway. Pundits will characterize this interview, and press their characterization on history. They will compare it to Teddy Kennedy floundering around with Roger Mudd in 1980 in the interview that helped do in his presidential campaign. News producers will pick Mr. Bush's sleepiest moments to repeat, and will feed their anchors questions for tomorrow morning: "Why did Bush do badly, do you think?"

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[SeveneightyWhoa]

1. Surprising, but this statement stuck out:

"But it will be a big political story in terms of the punditocracy and of news producers, who in general don't like Mr. Bush anyway."

Punditocracy like you, Peggy? Who is she fooling? Most pundits appear to LOVE Bush. Well, I guess relative to Peggy Noonan, maybe not so much..

[pinkpops]

4. I think pundits follow the smell of blood

so that if Bush were to get cut (not just scratched) they would go after him. Of course, being the president and all, he is in a good position to launch competitive stories as a diversion.

[Taeger]

2. I'm working

I'm working on a modified transcript that includes all of Bush's verbal tics. It's really quite amazing once you start seeing it in print.

[lovedems]

3. If you are intelligent on the issues, you can talk from your heart.

That is the one thing about Clinton that always stood out. He could give impromtu press conferences and go before the public any time because he knew what he was talking about and he knew what was happening in his administration. He was the clear "know it all" and ultimate decision maker. The chimp on the other hand, can't talk anything but the bare bone basics about HIS job and HIS policies. The only things that are clear to him (AWOL, pre-war intelligence) are so wrought with lies, he can't remember where one lie ends and the next one begins!


My take on the MTP interview is this guy is an idiot to policy and a liar to boot. THAT is why is doesn't do good in interviews. Hell, I could be given note cards and give a speech. I would do that gladly if someone wanted to pay 2,000 a pop to come see me.

[Mountainman]

5. "They will compare it to Teddy Kennedy floundering around"

Why did she bring up Ted Kennedy? Did I have to ask?

[Snappy]

6. Another Media whore

She knew that the thing was a blown Infomercial so she panders and makes light of it. I have seen her on TV with her glib smiles. Another Repuke skuz.

[Manix]

7. Philosophy?...Oh yeah......like "evildoers" , "with us or against us"

"wanted dead or alive" , "bring it on"

This is a real deep thinker!!

[fjc]

8. Interesting, because I don't believe GWya knows the first thing

about philosophy. He is not a thinking man. He does not in any way display the depth, emotional or intellectual, of a thinking man. She's right, philosophy does in fact take time. But Bush has had plenty of time. He's in his 50's for cryin out loud and he still has no discernable philosophy that I can see. It wasn't a thinking man who got put in his place in the O'Neill book when Rove told him to "stick to the principle."