Reply #21: Alternative reaction [View All]

[karynnj]

I think the Democrats should take it easy with this. It is a nightmare PR situation for Bush - unless it appears to be backed by the Democrats. It's a nightmare because it keeps the real cost of war in the press.

Bush has already lost the best way to handle this - which would have been to take a few "captive" press core people with him (with video) and drive up to where Cindy was. He could then use his position to offer condolances (saying things much as he always that he grieves etc.). He could easily dominate the situation - at least in the editted version. Bush win - he was "compassionate", He made a gesture, he is doing what he thinks is right. Then what could Cindy do? Nothing - the story is defused and it would be over.

Even now, Bush's point of view is that he already met with Cindy. Many reasonable people might say that there is nothing that can or will be accomplished by a meeting now. Is there anything Bush could say that would allow Cindy to go away happy?

I know that people were pushing Democrats to issue statements. Kerry's tone almost gently implies Bush could simply show some compassion to this woman without going far from his ranch. Because Bush already met with her and because she has spoken against him for at least a year people may not feel he is being unreasonable - only that compassion for her due to lose of her son should make Bush do more.