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04/13/2004 Archived Entry: "Press conference, paraphrased"
Press conference, paraphrased
I'm watching the Big Press Conference, and Bush just leveled an ultimatum at al Sadr, much like the one he leveled at Saddam Hussein. What is it with these mano-a-mano challenges with this guy?
I've seen this movie already. I want my money back.
He just mentioned 'Secretary of State Powell and Secretary of State Rumsfeld...'
Sprinkle in the 'A free Iraq is...' riff from his stump speech...
He gets way too into the gory bits.
There's the 9/11 reference. And WMD...
'I will start with....you.' My God....
A mention of 'stay the course' in the first answer.
He talks to Abazaid. Abazaid and Sanchez talk to one another.
Ooh, a question about how wrong he was in the run-up to the war.
'The lesson of September 11...'
Threat, threat, threat, threat, suiciders, threat, threat...
A total non-answer to the question. Danger, danger, danger.
torturer, killer, maimer, mass graves...shock, fear...
An Osama question. Asking if he feels at all responsible for 9/11.
He grieves, he meets with families (a lot!), he grieves... switches to a pitch for the Patriot Act. 'The lesson of 9/11...'
Threats, offense, killers, hurt, hurt...
David Gregory posits a follow-up - says Bush never admits a mistake.
Nobody could imagine flying airplanes into buildings (!!) (He didn't admit making a mistake.)
Question on August 6 PDB...
He asked for the briefing... he was dealing with terrorism before 9/11. He wanted George Tenet in the office 'all the time.' 'Major newspapers' were talking about bin Laden's desires (??).
I would have moved Heaven and Earth...'
Question - '70 investigations' number was wrong or exaggerated.
He can't make good decisions without valid information.
Question - Richard Clarke's apology. Would Bush apologize, too?
He's sick about the death... meets with the families to console them... 'we would have done anything in our power'.... Not my fault, osama did it. (No apology)
Question - 'contractors.' Coalition is window dressing.
We should honor other countries... he wants a UN resolution... 'there is a resolve'...
'A free Iraq is...' part 2.
He had dinner with Koizumi. Threat, threat, threat....
Moving on to our legacy. Must be near the end of the press conference...
He's way into the stump speech now.
Question - why are you appearing with cheney at 9/11? Who are you handing Iraq over to?
Tried to dodge the question, but the reporter wouldn't let it go (!) Bush cut him off.
Question - threat level for retaliation...
He is lost, trying to string words together. 'After 9/11, the world changed for me' (!!!)
Threat, killers, threat, threat...
His last choice is the use of military power. Threat, threat, threat... Points to Libya as a success.
Squirming now... shadowy network, unstable, dangerous, WMD... 'we're at war.' Iraq is a theater.
Question - will it be worth lsing your job over the war?
'I don't plan to lose my job.'
Even more lost now. 'The American people may want a change - I don't think so.' (!!)
Question - what was your biggest mistake. (An impromptu question - Bush was ticked.) He has no answer... 'I'm sure something will pop into my head.' He is reeling. That reporter will never, ever get into the White House, ever again.
He is still lost, off-balance, has reverted to talking about Saddam Hussein. Completely lost.
Question - CIA and FBI letter urging against intelligence reform.
He's open for suggestions....
War, killing, kill, fear, fear, war...
'A free Iraq...' part 3... only with the word 'society' in place of 'Iraq.'
Words, words, words..... back in stump speech mode. 'Stay the course. Stay the course.'
Last question - he read from his cheat sheet - 'Those who yell will not be...'
With support falling, have you failed as a communicator?
That's what the voters will decide. He will not admit a mistake. Ever.
Stump speech mode. Thank you all.
If you missed this monumental train wreck and want to see a transcript, it's here.
Replies: 17 people speak up
I tried some real-time blogging on it, and I found myself typing the same phrases over and over again. He really doesn't handle non-fawning questions very well, does he? All hail Sammy Sosa!
Posted by Norbizness @ 04/13/2004 09:44 PM NY
I thought he'd have to address the current situations in Fallujah and Najaf, since what we do there now could have huge ramifications for a long time to come. What a waste...he's just fiddling while Iraq burns.
Posted by will @ 04/13/2004 09:44 PM NY
"Well, now that you mention it, I think that trading of Sammy Sosa is STILL at my list of all-time biggest regrets. If I had had ANY warning of how good he was going to be, I would have moved heaven and earth to keep him. And to say otherwise is an insult to brown-skinned people everywhere, who want to be free because it's a right given by the Almighty, and our coalition partners, and the troops."
Posted by Xan @ 04/13/2004 09:45 PM NY
He is an embarrassment as president. Watching him in this news conference was painful.
Posted by eyesopen @ 04/13/2004 09:57 PM NY
This clinches it- Shrub is the most arrogant a-hole in the history of the human race, hands down.
Posted by Yasmin @ 04/13/2004 10:08 PM NY
This man has put too much crap up his nose, can't speak intelligent.
Posted by Thom @ 04/13/2004 10:11 PM NY
Getting 'coached' through the earpiece? I was watching to see which reporters might ask some tough questions...especially after reading Controlling the News: part 36 @ www.tbrnews. 'The Bush Administration wants, no, demands, that we support them. We cannot. He will fall and we must not fall with him.'
(part 37 gives info about the draft, 'Operation Lexington' and "Vote rigging is often spoken of with happiness and there is always the strong probability of an “October Surprise” to propel the tardy of support into backing Bush, our “wartime” president."
(could it be the WMD seen being unloaded by the US for later discovery?)http://www.tehrantimes.com/archives/Description.asp?Da=3/13/2004&Cat=4&Num=011
Too much begging the question, non-answers, and smug self-rightousness
Posted by Allison @ 04/13/2004 10:38 PM NY
sorry, thats www.tbrnews.org
just read this article that sheds light on the 'insurgents' http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=169
Posted by Allison @ 04/13/2004 10:52 PM NY
Keep your fingers crossed. As lame as he is, bushes disinformation machine still has a couple hundred million left to spend.
Man was he weak.
Posted by Aristophanes @ 04/14/2004 12:38 AM NY
Allison
Are those links to some of your personal web sites that you own ? Good God the disinformation.
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/14/2004 08:43 AM NY
On ABC's analysis afterwards Jennings to Stephanopolous (paraphrased): George, in the past presidents have stuck to the motto 'the buck stops here', this president doesn't seem to think that way.
Posted by Rob @ 04/14/2004 09:30 AM NY
Robin,
No, just some tidbits I've run across meandering across the internet (which is next on the agenda to censor)
Posted by Allison @ 04/14/2004 11:41 AM NY
Rob
would that include Clinton ? This one is too easy.............. nevermind.
just one..........
I did not have sexual relations with that woman
lmao
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/14/2004 07:16 PM NY
Oh, no. Not the Clinton sex thing again! It's been 3 years since the man's been president..and though it's almost cliche at this point to say it, no one DIED when Clinton lied.
Posted by Jack @ 04/15/2004 12:58 PM NY
sorry wrong again there were 3 attacks on Clintons watch, he didnt think it was import then and he didnt now. If he hadnt been so busy lying he might have seen the threat comming. That aside I was talking about the buck stops here.
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/15/2004 02:43 PM NY
sorry wrong again there were 3 attacks on Clintons watch, he didnt think it was important then and he dosent now. If he hadnt been so busy lying he might have seen the threat coming. That aside I was talking about the buck stops here.
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/15/2004 02:44 PM NY
My bad double post
sorry all
Posted by Robin Hacker @ 04/15/2004 06:34 PM NY
