Gregory To Bush: Why Are You Playing Political Games 2 Wks Before Election?

[kpete]

David Gregory at today’s press conference.

“In the past, Democrats and other critics of the war who talked about benchmarks and timetables were labeled as defeatists, defeatocrats or people who wanted to cut and run. So why shouldn’t American people conclude that this is nothing from you other than semantic, rhetorical games and all politics two weeks before an election?”


Bush’s response: “There is a significant difference between benchmarks for a government to achieve and a timetable for withdrawal.”

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/10/20061025.html

[rubberducky]

1. It scares me to think he will end up in the same cell block.......

as Kieth O. at Gitmo.

[hlthe2b]

2. Why?

We'll all be there as his cellmates.... I call top bunk!

--At least the conversation will be lively & intellectually stimulating.

[sueh]

3. I wish the WH press corp would report on what Bush

DIDN"T say and HOW he didn't say it.

[King Coal]

4. I really hate to say this, but Bush has a point.

There really is a difference between the two. But, that does not answer the question he was asked.

[plcdude]

9. once again a false

dichotomy is set up here. Democrats were asking for the government bench marks also.
the point of the question is how does *'s statement differ from previous statements made by numerous Democrats?

[lpbk2713]

5. *Mr President, sir, you suck big time.*

I would happily and generously contribute to his defense fund just to hear him say it once.

[rodeodance]

6. thought I heard him say[' for the past several years"

[rodeodance]

7. here it is----related to staying the course.

Q Mr. President, for several years you have been saying that America will stay the course in Iraq; you were committed to the policy. And now you say that, no, you're not saying, stay the course, that you're adapting to win, that you're showing flexibility. And as you mentioned, out of Baghdad we're now hearing about benchmarks and timetables from the Iraqi government, as relayed by American officials, to stop the sectarian violence.

In the past, Democrats and other critics of the war who talked about benchmarks and timetables were labeled as defeatists, defeat-o-crats, or people who wanted to cut and run. So why shouldn't the American people conclude that this is nothing from you other than semantic, rhetorical games and all politics two weeks before an election?

THE PRESIDENT: David, there is a significant difference between benchmarks for a government to achieve and a timetable for withdrawal. You're talking about -- when you're talking about the benchmarks, he's talking about the fact that we're working with the Iraqi government to have certain benchmarks to meet as a way to determine whether or not they're making the hard decisions necessary to achieve peace. I believe that's what you're referring to. And we're working with the Iraqi government to come up with benchmarks.

Listen, this is a sovereign government. It was elected by the people of Iraq. What we're asking them to do is to say, when do you think you're going to get this done, when can you get this done, so the people themselves in Iraq can see that the government is moving forward with a reconciliation plan and plans necessary to unify this government.

[Supersedeas]

11. benchmarks for Iraqis-good; benchmarks for Merkans-baaaaad

[Rex]

8. Wow, George sure knows how to sound like a moran.

That's why they put Cheney and Rummy in charge of running things. George is a walking, talking failure.

[lpbk2713]

10. That's why his handlers don't let him appear at speaking engagements ....

without being wired.

[kimmerspixelated]

12. I'm certain he cheated!!!

[Greeby]

13. It's bad enough to cheat

But to cheat and fail as miserably as he did during that first debate, that's just pathetic