Tony Snow Explains Why Bush Fibbed to Press (re: Rummy)

[sabra]

http://www.editorandpublisher.com/eandp/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003380071

Rummy on Empty: Tony Snow Explains Why Bush Fibbed to Press

NEW YORK Why did President Bush tell a big fat, or white (depending on your perspective), lie a few days before Election Day when he assured wire service reporters that Pentagon chief would serve out his entire term? For one thing, this didn't help Republican candidates around the country who wore Rumsfeld around their necks like an albatross in many parts of the country.

White House press secretary Tony Snow said Thursday morning that Bush did not announce before the election that Rumsfeld was being replaced because journalists likely would have written: "President Bush, down in the polls, jettisons unpopular defense secretary."

Snow said that would have given the misleading impression that the decision to change leaders at the Pentagon was done in haste, or for political reasons. Bush said Wednesday that he had been discussing this scenario with Rumsfeld for some time. It is important to send the right signals not only to the American public, U.S. troops and lawmakers that the president is not making decisions based on political calculations, Snow said.

Snow added, "This decision had been made and was going to happen win, lose or draw for Republicans in the election. There was no epiphany moment, where the two of them said, 'Ah ha, this needs to happen.' "

[Oceansaway]

1. Tony Blow is a liar, just like Bush...n/t

[louis-t]

2. They're lying. If Repugs had kept the Senate and House

Rummy would still be there. Period.

edit my grammar.

[hippiechick]

8. Yep

n/t

[calimary]

21. No kidding.

Somebody (probably James Baker) grabbed him by the collar and told him to shut up and go sit down in the corner because he wasn't calling the shots anymore - he'd fucked up just one time too many.

rummy WOULD INDEED still be in charge if bush's cronies had done better on Tuesday.

[nofoil]

3. Yea right...

The Bushie's heads are in a vice and their backs are against the wall, and Rummy is only the first to go. Nice try, Tony! Looking forward to what you have to say when the perp walks start happening right out of the White House.

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

4. I don't get it - why say anything at all then?

If Bush had already made the decision to replace Rummy, why not just keep silent on the question of whether Rumsfeld would stay for another two years instead of affirmatively stating that he would stay? Bush certainly has dodged questions and issues on nearly every other subject over the last six years.

[comsymp]

9. Aaaaand we have a winnah!

Two points:

First - as yours is definitely worth repeating: why say anything, let alone such a categorical assertion? Lord knows, as you said, they've dodged every question ever asked of them. Hell, just for the irony points he could have even used Rumspeak for the occasion.


Which leads us to the second point - one which needs to be hammered home: Gee Dumbya was caught by the press in a deliberate lie. That's the issue - not why he lied, just that it was a deliberate lie. The fact that his apologists are flat out stating that he lied for political purposes, and nobody is outraged by it, is the true sickening story, IMO.

[louis-t]

33. Karl kept telling him Repugs would win.

That's why.

[uppityperson]

5. transcript and video now on WH website, link here

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/11/20061109-2.html

[MGKrebs]

6. Because they NEVER make decisions for political reasons.

That would just be crazy talk!

[hippiechick]

7. so instead its "Bush loses House, jettisons defense secretary"

.... :rofl: Leaker move, either way, George!!

[Journeyman]

10. So why wasn't the decision made in June? . . .

or July, after most of the primaries were over but before the election "season" began? Everyone knew Iraq was screwed in early summer, same as late fall 2005, early spring 2004, summer 2003 -- and for the prescient (or at least educated) among us, anytime prior to Little Boot's first inaugural. So why not jettison Rumsfeld at any of those times? What makes this week "special"? (As if we haven't a clue.)

[xultar]

11. Well then why did they do it Wednesday? They could have done it

in December.

Liars.

[rodeodance]

12. its called a LIE

[dchill]

13. It's really quite simple...

According to the Republickin playbook, we impeach liars. N'est ce pas?

[ozymandius]

14. So if there were no political impetus to jettison Rumsfeld then-

why did this happen now?

I think this is a calculated move to shield Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld, et al. from prosecution. Rumsfeld knew that he would be hauled before committee after committee to testify on everything that was whitewashed over the past four years.

Now that he is a civilian, his knowledge of activities and policies at the Pentagon are classified. This tactic will only delay their exposure.

[gratuitous]

15. The standard follow-up for Mr. Snow-job

"Are you saying that because it's the truth, or because you want to move us off the subject?"

Everything these lying liars should be questioned and re-questioned. They lie with impunity and without a thought for any consequences, and they're usually rewarded by not having to face any consequences. Every utterance should be questioned: Did what you just said constitute the truth, or was it just a way to deflect the issue? What is your real position? When will it be divulged? What has to take place first before you can level with the American people? Do you think it's right for elected officials to lie to the voters?

[Tight_rope]

16. RummytheDummy got the BIG SHAFT up the ass...plain & simple!

"Snow said that would have given the misleading impression that the decision to change leaders at the Pentagon was done in haste, or for political reasons. Bush said Wednesday that he had been discussing this scenario with Rumsfeld for some time. It is important to send the right signals not only to the American public, U.S. troops and lawmakers that the president is not making decisions based on political calculations, Snow said."

Giving Dumbsfeld the Big Shaft was done in "haste" and for "political reasons". Either way you look at it he was fucked from getgo. You know the ole saying "Damned if you do...Damned if you don't"

[Ravy]

35. It was well deserved. (nt)

[rocktivity]

17. So instead, the press wrote, "President Bush, humiliated by election losses,

jettisons Rumsfeld as a publicity stunt to create the illusion of leadership and competence and to draw media attention from the Democratic victory." Smooth move, Magoo. And ironically enough, I think the Repubs would have done better if Bush HAD jettisoned him earlier.

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[Lindacooks]

20. Heh - that was my first thought too!

Or 'President Bush, terrified by the Democratic tsunami, throws rats off sinking ship.'

[superconnected]

18. Why is snow, blowing bush?

It's failing terribly...

[Blaq Dem]

19. Oh, I feel awful about what happened to Rumsfeld

JUST KIDDING!!!!

[AndyTiedye]

22. I Don't Get It Either

Albatross! Get yer albatross!

[mahatmakanejeeves]

23. I'm sure the defeated Republican senators and representatives

will understand that sacrifices must be made. By them, not by Bush.

[williesgirl]

24. Can't believe the repukes don't call for his impeachment to get even!

[sutz12]

25. Current timeline about 8 days...

From "He's doing a heckuva job" to "You're fired!"

:rofl:

[MidwestTransplant]

26. BS they didn't think they would get blown out. Too difficult for them to comprehend.

[HuffleClaw]

27. so, he lies to cover up bush's lies?

pretty sad really. what a sham.

[TankLV]

28. "Because he just can't help it - it's what he ALWAYS does, has ALWAYS done!"

"God, you people are so fucking stupid!"

That's what he really meant to say...

[theothersnippywshrub]

29. Bush is lying when he claims that he was lying earlier. n/t

[Matilda]

30. We have a saying in Australia -

when a politician makes a statement denying something, you know it's true.

"He's doing a great job, and has my full confidence" means "I'm sacking him tomorrow".

[young_at_heart]

31. As he said after the 2004 election...."It is my style"

Of course he was referring to "I've been given capital and I intend to use it", but it can easily be said for this too!

[llmart]

32. Oh, right, it's just "fibbing".....

when Repukes do it. They lie left and right and every which way, but when they do it it's just a little "fibbing" like when a child steals a cookie out of the cookie jar and doesn't own up to it.

Here's a hint Repukes - that's why you were trounced in this election - the people wised up to your "fibbing".

[patrick t. cakes]

34. the repos really really

believed they were going to win.
by fraud of course. but they thought it was in the bag.

[proud2BlibKansan]

36. In other words, he did it for political reasons

and decided to wait till after the election so no one would know they did it for political reasons.

What a lame excuse.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

38. Just like he's lied about thinking it was a mistake to invade Iraq...

because he wouldn't want anyone to think he'd made a mistake.

This is what comes of valuing image over substance. The practice has affected every corner of American life...education, manufacturing, even our basic health. We've got to stop being so concerned with the way we appear, and start focusing on the way we ARE.

[young_at_heart]

37. In other words, lying is perfectly acceptable if you are Bush

SOP for these neo-cons I guess!