Vacation no getaway as rash of bad news dogs Bush at ranch

[question everything]

ANALYSIS
Vacation no getaway as rash of bad news dogs Bush at ranch

By George E. Condon Jr.
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE

August 19, 2005

(snip)

Not since August 1991, when his father, President George H.W. Bush, had to contend with Hurricane Bob's 105-mph winds at home on the same day as a Russian coup overseas, has any president had to deal with so much bad news on any one vacation.

That bad news has ranged far afield, from domestic to foreign policy, from economic to military matters, from symbolic to political. Since arriving at his Prairie Chapel Ranch in Crawford on Aug. 3, Bush has endured:

- The deadliest week of the war in Iraq and mounting U.S. casualties there.
- Soaring gasoline prices from coast to coast, with motorists adjusting to $3 a gallon in some places just as they drive to the beach for vacations.
- The breakdown of multilateral talks in North Korea.
- Iran's resumption of its nuclear program over U.S. objections.
- The failure of Iraqi leaders to meet this week's deadline for writing a new constitution.
- The continuing protest by Californian Cindy Sheehan, who lost her son in Iraq and mixes biting public criticism of Bush with demands that he leave his ranch long enough to meet with her.
- New polls by Newsweekand The Associated Press that showed the lowest approval rating of his presidency.

(snip)

No president is likely to top President Adams' R&R in Quincy, Mass. In just one year – 1799 – Adams spent eight months in Quincy and spent an additional four months there the next year, according to author Kenneth T. Walsh, who has written a history of presidential retreats. But by the time Bush returns to Washington next month he will eclipse President Reagan's modern record of 345 days at his Santa Barbara ranch during his eight-year term.

(snip)

Find this article at:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050819/news_1n19bush.html

[whistle]

1. Yes, but does * give a shit?

[bluestateguy]

2. Oh, boo fucking hoo

All of those problems listed are his fucking fault and I hope they wreck his presidency.

I promised myself in December of 2000 that I would be as fair to this spoiled brat as the conservatives were to Bill Clinton.

[MasonJar]

3. Another thread tonight was on his terrible temper, his incessant

yelling and cursing and his mental illnesses. Very enlightening. He is definitely a dry alcoholic.

[question everything]

5. Does he, really? I thought that he is such an easy going

personable... a real frat boy..

Oh, well, another myth buster..

[NYC]

8. Where is that, please?

Give me a hint.

[cliss]

4. Yes, Bush is getting a lot of thrilling news, isn't he?

As he's sitting in his beautiful, air-conditioned 'hideaway', he's biting his nails down to the quick. He's got a lot to feel nervous about.

The American public has reached a turning point. They are now standing up in unison against the war, just like they did in Iraq. And they are not being castigated as much as before, or at least they don't seem to care as much.

The mood has changed. There's really very little Bush can do about it, because nothing's going to change in Iraq and Afghanistan. The troops are still there, so they'll keep dying. Bush has already stated he's "staying the course". His ratings will continue to slide. The American people will continue to start demanding some answers and question this war. And once this protest starts on a massive scale, it won't be long before the MAJORITY of Americans start demanding some changes. And then, watch out.

You don't need a crystal ball to figure that out.

[AuntieM1957]

6. During Adams' presidency there was no official residence

THE WHITE HOUSE WASN'T BUILT YET.

So, it's not like he was away from it.

BIG DIFFERENCE from Georgie that the article failed to point out.

[StClone]

7. Is this irony?

Very bad news while Bush vacations that affects all of us and just prior to his vacation he had a great week for his special interest buddies.