Um...this was the worst possible day for Bush to give this speech

[WilliamPitt]

The reason White Houses 'take out the trash' and do news dumps on Fridays is because no one watches the news Friday night, and no one reads the paper on Saturday mornings. An overgeneralization, to be sure, but viewership and readership of the news plummets from Friday morning until Sunday morning. So, in essence, the speech and all resultant GOP blather will fall on mostly unhearing ears.

Further, the Dems will have until Saturday afternoon (for the Sunday newspapers and editorials) and Sunday morning (the talk shows) to get their response together. They'll be ready for the Sunday morning newspaper readership spike, as well as for Russert and Stephanopolous and the rest.

I have no idea why they chucked this thing up today. Yesterday, it would have been 1000x more effective, even with all the bullshit. But anyone who thinks we took a hosing today is falling victim to the oldest DU malaise there is: they think the rest of America pays attention the way we do.

Not on Fridays, they don't

[LSK]

1. they did it today because its Veterans Day

But your point is taken.

[WilliamPitt]

2. I get it

but a Friday is a Friday is a Friday. They could have done this yesterday in anticipation of Veterans Day and gotten the viewers they needed.

[aquart]

5. Is it possible

That they don't want people to read more than simply the headline? Let them believe Bush made a speech giving the truth. If they read it...?

Yeah, I suspect they really DON'T want anyone to read it.

[TomInTib]

8. Right on the money. I actually expected them to do this yesterday

and totally expected the political shots from the White House.
As a combat veteran this blather about the war from an asshole whose administration is closing VA hospitals wholesale I am pretty much beside myself with anger at these bullshit antics. I won't even mention the cheesy stage-managed applause cues (well, I guess I just did mention it).
The Sunday shows ought to attack what is becoming a stump speech on justification of this outrage.

[mcar]

19. Even worse that it's Veteran's Day

a lot of people have a long weekend. Who pays attention to the news on a long weekend? :shrug:

[Generic Other]

3. I missed it and I pay attention, but I didn't miss Mohammed Ali

doing the crazy sign to Bush. That's image I have in my head this week.

[DrZeeLit]

4. Especially a possible 3 Day Weekend... a lot of people are taking off

today and not paying attention.

I'm listening to NPR and they're doing a fair job of repeating those lines that pertain to his opponents and that reference to the committee.

Which, btw, didn't clear him of manipulating the data. Duh.

[H2O Man]

6. I think they made an error

trying to do this today. Recent polls show that the administration is not being given the benefit of the doubt these days. The war in Iraq is not popular, including with a growing number of military families. Today's timing was worse than simply being a Friday.

[sabra]

7. Prolly the only people watching was us and them (freepers)

and we already have formed our opinions long ago...

[Vinca]

9. There's always the possibility that those not as "into" politics

as we are who heard the speech will be put off by the content. It wasn't an honoring of the troops, it was a trashing of the Democrats. I think he made a fool of himself . . . again.

[EFerrari]

10. Yes! Isn't it wonderful?

They're screwing up all over the place!

:kick:

[joanski0]

11. Meet the Press is having

the King of Jordan, Ken Mehlman and Howard Dean. Dr. Dean will get 'em.

[HereSince1628]

15. Are the sunday talk shows live or pre-recorded?

[joanski0]

18. I think they are pre-recorded, but

early Sunday morning. Not real sure when. For instance, Meet the Press comes on at 9:00 a.m. in most areas, but in New York and in PA, where I am, it comes on at 10:30 a.m.

[lpbk2713]

12. It was a spur-of-the-moment impulse thing.

"Well, it's Veteran's Day. What're we gonna do?"

"I know. We'll give a speech and throw dirt at the Dems."

"Be sure and say anybody who don't support us is unAmurkin."

[HoosierClarkie]

13. No one I know is even talking about it...

I know many republicans. No one is paying attention in the Indianapolis area. Everyone is at wal-mart getting ready for the holidays and thinking about football. Very sad, but true. The bush supporters that I do know are questioning him. That is a start.

[wicket]

14. The pressure must be really getting to them to fumble this so badly

And all I can do is :rofl: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[kpete]

16. Bill Press/Situation Room

Political mistake dividing country.

President made the decision to go to war. It is his war, he has to take responsibility for it.

President should have gone to Arlington.

Argument does not wash.

Press says Senator Rockefellar said he did not get same intelligence as president. It was cherry picked before it went to senate.

As heard in the SITUATION ROOM

Cafferty/Situation Room - They have 365 days - Why did Bush pick this one.

[spanone]

17. Desperate HouseWhite