a real fear after the MTP debacle:

[laruemtt]

rove may be evil and demented, but he is not stupid. he knows * struck out today. i smell a major "diversion" coming up in the next few days. an attack? what do you guys think?

[Liberal_Andy]

1. smells lika code orange to me

Al Kita

[onethatcares]

2. not just yet,

damage control is probably ongoing, but you can expect something mid summer.

[Beetwasher]

3. Was It Really That Bad?

I didn't/Can't/won't watch him. It's really a matter of my health as I'm sure I'd try to punch my fist through the wall and hurt myself.

I predicted it would be an abomination, but I haven't seen much in the way of real good objective analysis yet in the press.

[eaprez]

4. Impressions of the interview

# of times he used key phrases in the first half of the show (may have missed one or two)
terrorist/war against/on terror - 11111111111
danger to america/dangerous/dangerous man/madman - 1111111111111111
deadly/weapon/wmd - 111111111

I think many were worried this would be a 'softball' interview and I think Tim asked the questions that were on everyones mind. He did a good job. I think he pushed the envelope as far as he could --- after all, this is the prez and his show depends on being able to book people from the administration on his show. I'd give Tim **** out of ***** I don't think the answers would have been any different had he been tougher.

Bush didn't make any major mistakes.
He looked ill at ease at times and his answers were rambling at times and he stammered a lot. Seemed not to have much conviction or confidence in his answers - as though he was reciting the mantra.

Think his answers on the decisons to go to war will not sit well with people --- they were 'non' answers. I was struck most by the last two questions at the end of the first half. When asked about the loss of american lives - was the war worth it just because he was a bad man -- there was no real passion in the presidents answer. He acted as though he'd never given it much though - he stumbled over the answer - rambled - talked about himself and his responsibility more than about the sacrifice of the men and women he sent in harms way or their families. He didn't even say they died for a noble cause.
When asked if this was a war of choice or necessity - he was grinning - that wasn't very appropriate.
He is not only incapable of pronouncing NUKE-U-LAR but he is incapable of pronouncing PEN-IN-SHOE-LA as well.

I think 'thinking' American's who tended to support the prez - will walk away from that interview questioning their support of this man.

[Beetwasher]

8. Thanks!

That was a terrific analysis!

Welcom to DU!

[Jazzgirl]

16. Only time he didn't seem ill at ease was when he said

he was going to win the next election. Said it with serious conviction. The only time he sounded confident. Scurred me....

:scared:

[SammyWinstonJack]

Said it with serious conviction

You betcha! Let's hope it won't be close enough for Smirk Boy and Team Smirk to steal it again! They will sure try!

[dpibel]

30. Wait a second here

Isn't "thinking person who supports the *resident" an oxymoron?

[jumptheshadow]

37. It was a terrible interview for Bush

The guy came off as shallow, shifty, defensive, dishonest and inept. He clearly was nervous while being questioned about his National Guard record -- and he kept on equating the questions about his individual record with criticism of the Guard itself. He must have said "I was honorably discharged" four or five times. Perhaps he doesn't realize that many Americans will say to themselves, "Yeah, because your Daddy bailed you out." He seemed to get a gleam in his eye when, after saying he would open his papers up for inspection, he added, "If you can find anything in those records." (That wasn't a verbatim quote, but he said something like that.)

Russert questioned him about the aggressively partisan nature of his administration and he talked about his record as governor in Texas. Pathetic.

Russert introduced the topic of the economy, and Bush, relieved because the subject was being changed off of his military record, quickly got flattened when Russert read off the statistics on joblessness. Bush acted clueless, and basically pawned everything off on 9/11.

There were so many times when Bush stumbled or drifted off or just sounded dumb and arrogant.

[kath]

6. "I haven't seen much in the way of real good objective analysis yet in the

press"

Ummmm, while you might see some objective analysis in the foreign press, you're likely to see "real good objective analysis" in the US press around the time that hell freezes over, pigs fly, etc.

US press is like the old Pravda at this point.

[Beetwasher]

10. There're Some Columnists Whose Analysis I'm Looking Forward Too

Krugman for example...

[pinto]

11. my take: stump speech, used key phrases repeatedly (especially madman

in reference to Saddam Hussein), stumbled about average for GWB*, rambled some, if stuck went back to key phrases, bait and switch on war questions, had some trouble answering the "was it worth it" question on Iraq in light of the loss of life, was stuck badly on economy (Russert had charts), whole thing pretty much ego-centric (no mention of team, or administration, all answers were in I terms), ended with claim of vision to change the world. Overall, fairly boring. The last bit bothered me, though.

This is obviously not an objective take, I don't trust the man.

[Malva Zebrina]

19. pretty good analysis

[G_j]

35. the word "war" used 33 times n/t

[fortyfeetunder]

39. Typical *

Incoherent, inconsistent, and semi-conscious of what he was saying.I was not in the least bit surprised..

[still_one]

5. They will do it another way

The smears are already coming about the "liberal" record of Kerry, and how he is weak on defense, etc, etc, etc.

They are pushing the fear factor and hope that will work.

I am afraid it just might...

[laruemtt]

7. how can AWOL with a couple of

failed / failing wars under his belt be considered strong on defense against someone who actually served in Vietnam? i'm not a kerry supporter but against * it's a no-brainer. he's been an idiot from day 1 but holy moly he broke his own record today.

[catmandu57]

9. I'd love to see the blooper reel

given that this was recorded, and that there must have been many halts and cuts, from what I've read of the debacle the outakes must be hillarious.

[dweller]

12. Can't wait to see the Letterman show monday

and see if he has the "unfair editing" segment on this..

dp

[nwstrn]

14. MSNBC edited bush* stuttering episode

MSNBC's "highlights" included a clip of bush*'s answer concerning the Iraq casualties, and I was surprised--his answer has a lengthy pause and a stuttering episode that was one of the most embarrassing parts of the interview. Here it comes, I thought! But, no worry, that part was edited out, making bushie sound (slightly) more coherent.

[jab105]

13. unfortunately, with the diminished expectations going in...

Bush, as usual, managed not to make a major mistake...in those terms, it was a success...

[nwstrn]

15. Can you play the low expectations game when you're President?

That trick may have worked in 2000, but should it now? He's the President, for goodness sake, and he sounded like a complete imbecile.

[snippy]

17. No major mistakes but Turd Blossom Rove is going to be disappointed.

The purpose of this interview was to stop Bush's declining numbers in the polls. I do not think it will be successful.

Bush's performance was neither extremely strong nor extremely weak. Consequently, it will have no impact on committed Bush supporters or committed Bush opponents. However, since it was not particularly impressive, it probably will not alter the current trends in the minds of the rest of the public either.

An hour long interview in the Oval Office with any president of the United States should be impressive. This interview was not. Bush smiled, smirked or chuckled during every answer to every question on every topic. He was hesitant and spoke haltigly. He did not seem to be particularly well informed or well prepared. He had few facts to support any of his assertions. He seemed somewhat detached and bemused. He was almost overwhelmingly unimpressive. The failure to be impressive was a failure to persuade or convince doubting voters.

If any other politician had given this performance it would universally be labeled a disaster. However, because of the low expectations everyone has of Bush and because he did speak in complete phrases of rudimentary English, few will call this a disaster. But, since the purpose of the interview was to bolster Bush's falling numbers I think it will be seen as a disappointment in the White House. Just like the Steroids of the Union speech.

[pinto]

21. Yep. Bush saying "I flew a jet plane and enjoyed it" must have been less

than his handlers had hoped for.

[mountainvue]

18. It was bad

He looks terrible. He stuttered, spun and dodged all over the place. Nothing he says makes any sense. He speaks with no conviction whatsoever. It's as though he's reading it off of a prompter. At one point he used the phrase "arm up" in regards to countries that stockpile weapons. He smirked when answering the questions about his military records.

[SeattleBob]

20. The Most Horrifying Statement That Bush Has Made

I couldn't believe how bad he looked on MTP today. Well, actually, it wasn't really a surprise that he looked bad. He always looks bad...smirking, stumbling over words, etc...but one phrase stuck in my mind after watchin him. It was something that he actually said without stumbling over words...

"I'm a war president. I make decisions here in the Oval Office in foreign policy matters with war on my mind."

That is a pretty horrifying statement for any leader to make, but especially in the context of discussing whether or not war was justified and also in a world in which other countries respect and trust in the United States is waning quickly.

[pinto]

22. and how about that "use of American power" in the world thingie.....

coupled with the "war president" "war on my mind" shit really caught my ear. This is not my vision for America.

[SeattleBob]

24. Not Very Many People Have That Vision Of The USA

Within the United States, not many people have that vision. They don't "want to go to war." Soldiers losing lives to fight in a war that wasn't really necessary doesn't usually sit well with the American public. The scary thing, however, is that many countries outside of the US now see us as a country that is willing to go to war BEFORE we are actually provoked into war. The Bush administration's message to the rest of the world was basically "do what you're told or we might blow you up." And he strengthened that message in his answers to Russert's questions today.

There's a major difference between being stern enough for other countries to respect the US and issuing vague threats about war. War should be the last resort for any leader, period.

[rhino47]

27. I agree Seattle

scared the shit outta me too.

[mountainvue]

29. "I'm a war president"

freaked me out. Something about the way he said "the homeland" did too. He's got this look on his face like he didn't expect being president would be this hard.

[cally]

31. That's the statement that most horrifies me

I keep replaying that in my head. He really thinks this way and will run on this. :scared:

Welcome to DU!

[calimary]

36. That, and "this economy is coming along just right."

Sell THAT one to the unemployed and laid off, george. See how they like it, and if they'll agree with you.

[Malva Zebrina]

32. Yes and I agree

if I were talented I would make a video of that statement
"I am a war president"

and show the terrible photos of Iraqi children who were murdered by this arrogant, stupid AWOL prick of a man who did not even win the election in the first place and who will forever have the asterisk after his name in any history book worth it's salt.

[onethatcares]

33. he should have said "I chose to be a war pResident"

That was my take on it. He sickens me. Maybe we could all email pics of Iraqi children minus limbs to him, along with pictures of the food packets/cluster bombs.

[SeattleBob]

26. That seems like a possibility

With Bush's sagging ratings, there's going to have to be some kind of diversion to take the American public's focus away from GWB's ineptitude...but what will it be? I think that it might very well be a possibility that they will suddenly "find" Osama Bin Laden and parade him around as a "symbol that the war on terror is working." If that happens, the public will eat it up. And that's scary.

[SeattleBob]

28. Little Plastic Army Men In A Sandbox

It's weird to listen to Bush talk about war. It's almost like he can't fathom that "war is bad." He talks about people dying like it is just a necessary outcome of "the good fight." He acts like he honestly enjoys going to war. It's like he's sitting in a sandbox playing with those little plastic army men. SCARY.

Sometimes war is necessary, unfortunately, but usually not. But when a leader announces to the world that he makes foreign policy decisions with "war on his mind" that is flat out terrifying. Especially when the people in his administration are just as hungry for war as he is.

[snippy]

34. Good analogy. Reminds me of this.

Bush works out war strategy in backyard sandbox

Crawford, Texas -- Making good on his promise to use August's untimely 25-day retreat as a "working vacation," President Bush began masterminding tactical maneuvers for offensive strikes on Iraq in the backyard sandbox of his Texas ranch Sunday afternoon.

. . .

During Bush's intensely focused six-hour strategy session - which involved the fabrication of forts, foxholes, bunkers, roads and tunnels; the dressing and arming of several 12-inch G. I. Joe action figures; the positioning of artillery, vehicles, tents and munitions depots and detailed run-throughs of actual combat situations levied against an imaginary resistance - the President simulated defenses for a variety of possible engagements: from protecting against very likely threats such as suicide bombing attacks to the highly unlikely event of U.S. soldiers being stomped on by giant feet.

. . .

http://www.recoilmag.com/news/bush_works_out_war_strategy_0902.html

[mykpart]

23. Maye he'll have to pull Osama bin Laden

out of his ass now instead of waiting for October!

[laruemtt]

25. welcome seattle bob!

great points, and i totally agree.

:toast:

[kodi]

38. i've seen "fat burner" infomercials that looked better than bush did

the dems have to repeat what bush said and refute it all along the campaign trial.