Conservative columnist backs Webb over Bush in "That's not what I asked you" flap

[civildisoBDence]

Peggy Noonan's Thursday column takes George Will gently but definitively to task for his ridiculous attack on James Webb's civility in his encounter with the president last week.

Noonan lays it out clearly:

The latest example of a lack of grace in Washington is the exchange between Jim Webb and President Bush at a White House Christmas party. Mr. Webb did not want to pose with the president and so didn't join the picture line. Fair enough, everyone feels silly on a picture line. Mr. Bush approached him later and asked after his son, a Marine. Mr. Webb said he'd like his son back from Iraq. Mr. Bush then, according to the Washington Post, said: "That's not what I asked you. How's your son?" Mr. Webb replied that's between him and his son.

For this Mr. Webb has been roundly criticized. And on reading the exchange I thought it had the sound of the rattling little aggressions of our day, but not on Mr. Webb's side. Imagine Lincoln saying, in such circumstances, "That's not what I asked you." Or JFK. Or Gerald Ford!

Will's attempt to spin the encounter as Webb being rude to Bush had little credibility to begin with. Now that Noonan has weighed in, Will's credibility on the topic is down to roughly zero.

Newsprism

[Captain Hilts]

1. Wow. Perhaps it's getting out Prez. Bush is an ill-tempered, spoiled, brat. nt

[blm]

7. Exactly - best thing Kerry said on CNN yesterday was that we need ADULT LEADERSHIP

on Iraq.

This would be the perfect time for all Dems to refer to this theme - Webb's encounter brought it way out in the open - the secret many in DC press corps have been keeping for far too long.

[texpatriot2004]

2. Webb was honorable in the exchange, * was a rude bastard nt

[acmavm]

3. Will has a highly exaggerated sense of his own importance.

Nothing else.

His writings are the pompous ramblings of a seriously flawed individual.

Giving that clown a column makes as much sense as allowing Rush or O'Reilly to inflict themselves on the public. There would be one collective sigh of relief from those capable of forming brain wave patterns if they just one day went away (forever).

[Ravy]

4. Perhaps the WH Press corp should say "Not what I asked you" a bit more often. nt

[drm604]

6. I like that!

"Excuse me sir, but that's not what I asked you."

[Demit]

5. I wish she had taken Will to task. That would have been more powerful.

She never mentions Will, unfortunately. Still, it's nice to see her present a more reasonable view of the Bush-Webb exchange, and put the onus where it belongs.

[City Lights]

8. george will is a slug.

He needs to see a proctologist about removing the bug he's got stuck up his ass.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

9. Peggy Nooner is a whore of the highest order.

I credit her as the first official spinner.

She claimed Reagan clearly won a presidential debate in which he lost his fucking mind for a few minutes, rambling about the Pacific Coast Hwy.

I thought Reagan was finished. Peggy licked his lollipop.

One of the most infuriating political moments of my life.

[Moloch]

10. shrub has become indefensible....

With his comments toward Webb and his behavior at the Iraq summit (nothing became of it) I believe that the sheeple are finally starting to wake up to what an insensitive, out-of-touch jerk bush is.