Some Understand Covert Journey; Others Fear Bad Precedent

[kskiska]

Although the White House lied to much of the press to conceal President Bush's Thanksgiving visit to Baghdad, many journalists and analysts yesterday were willing to give the administration a pass.

(snip)

Former White House spokesman Joe Lockhart, who worked for President Bill Clinton, said: "There's no way to do this kind of trip if it's broadcast in advance, for security reasons. My problem with this is not that he misled the press. This is a president who has been unwilling to provide his presence to the families who have suffered but thinks nothing of flying to Baghdad to use the troops there as a prop."

(snip)

The surprise visit produced upbeat, sometimes gushing coverage on the cable networks, which kept rerunning video of Bush with a turkey platter and his pep talk to the troops. "This is a show of power. . . . This has significance in terms of showing the power of the presidency," Fox anchor David Asman said.

Time's Vivian Walt said on CNN that "an electric shock went through the room" and that for Bush, crying and trembling, it was "a taste of victory."

(snip)

Past official deceptions have tended to involve military matters. In 1983, then-White House spokesman Larry Speakes told a reporter a day before the United States invaded Grenada that the idea was "preposterous."


more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17508-2003Nov27.html

[Lisa]

1. and also ...

judging by what we've already seen of W's relationship with the press -- there may be intensified competition now to be picked for another "road trip with the prez". Reporters may get used to following instructions from aides (don't tell anybody, don't ask questions) -- and one of these days it may NOT be for security reasons.

[kskiska]

2. You're right, Lisa

Now they'll be sucking up to him even more.

[Lisa]

4. that reporter who was gleeful about "a road trip with the Prez!" ....

.... sent chills up my spine.

[kainah]

19. He was just on Washington Week in Review

When the transcript gets posted, it would be worth a read. I'm sorry that I forget his name. The panel did not seem to be gushing quite as much today as they had yesterday.

[Dr Fate]

3. but...but...If the media does not "suck up" to Bush...

...then how is he going to tell them what stories to air?

Dont you get it?- if the media does not suck up to Bush, then how are they going to get "scoops"???

Who cares if the "scoops" are lies/propaganda- a scoop is a scoop...I mean,the media has to tell us SOMTHING......

[hedda_foil]

5. "Bush, crying and trembling"????????

WTF is that all about? Crying and trembling?

[alfredo]

6. Cold Turkey.

[AndyTiedye]

7. Reporters Aren't Supposed to be Groupies!!!!

[lumpy]

12. Does anyone know what reporters & photo-ops

accompanied Bush and the Other Half on his perilous travels? Anyone we know?

[hippiechick]

11. Scared shitless ...

to be on Saddam's home turf without his Daddy to back him up ....

or scared shitless that some of the military were gonna ask him
the questions he knows he can't answer ....



:hippie:

[Catshrink]

13. DTs

[MrPrax]

8. Oh and the Media is complaining about this...

and interesting article about the actual level of complicity of the Media and the Administration...
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/cda/article_print/1,1983,DRMN_86_2455047_ARTICLE-DETAIL-PRINT,00.html

Littwin: Gag order leaves troops, reporters speechless

November 25, 2003

COLORADO SPRINGS - Before the press was herded into the giant hangar in advance of George W. Bush's pep rally/photo op with the Fort Carson troops, we were given the rules.

No talking to the troops before the rally.

No talking to the troops during the rally.

No talking to the troops after the rally.

In other words, if I've done the math right, that means no conversation at all - at least, while on base - with any soldiers. After all, who knows where that kind of thing could lead?

Just as an example: It could lead to a discussion about why the president has time to get to so many fund-raisers and no time to attend a single funeral of a soldier killed in Iraq.

There could have been debate, and we all know the risks in debate, as to whether it's really the families' privacy that is being guarded by the rule against photos of coffins as they arrive from Iraq. Or whether it's the president's standing - the latest Gallup Poll showed 54 percent disapproved of his handling of Iraq - that is being guarded from what one general once called "the Dover test."
more

[Dudley_DUright]

9. The first paragraph sums up perfectly media coverage from day 1

many journalists and analysts yesterday were willing to give the administration a pass.

I guess they all enjoy being lied to over and over and over again.

[dbt]

10. Not only that, DD, but they really LIKE it

when bu$h spanks them--the way he did about the "March to War" bidness earlier in the year. They feel so naughty when Daddy gives them some extra attention.

Buncha whores with lapel mics!

:argh:
dbt

[Cocoa]

14. still others fear bad president

I'm in that group. :scared:

[truthisfreedom]

15. PRECEDENT? this is no precedent. this is the PATTERN for bushco.

this is what bushco DOES. this is modus operendi for bushco. they know no other method... lies, denial and deception are IT. "hey, look over there!" (distracting hand waves)

by the way, did anyone else notice that at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/05/iraq/20030501-15.html all traces of the "mission accomplished" banner are avoided in the photo gallery of bush's visit to the aircraft carrier?

[Fovea]

16. An old Viking saying goes...

Praise ice, once crossed.



<snip>
The message, retired Col. Ken Allard said on MSNBC, is that "you underestimate George Bush at your peril. It was a gutsy call, a Hail Mary pass, and he pulled it off."

</snip>

[Thor_MN]

17. Agreed, he has gotten more airtime out of this

Than what he spent on the ground. You would think that he spend over a day doing this rather than the 150 minutes he actually there.

[leetrisck]

18. Other Presidents have done this including Eisenhower,

Clinton, etc. Why the big press coverage? Because bush is such a coward and it was all done in secret? Is that why? He doesn't deserve the hoopla he is receiving - other Presidents much braver about it just because they did it in the open. Put a yellow C on the next cap bush puts on.

[leetrisck]

20. Although the White House lied

For goodness sake, the White House - bush - lies and flip flops all the time. The press decides they'll give him a pass. Why? He's a born liar just like the entire family. How many times has he sneaked out on them before. And on the American people. He's a lying little sneak.