Bush to Hold News Conference Tuesday Night

[VolcanoJen]

Well, I'm sure we've been wanting to talk about this all day. :D

I wonder what new words he'll invent?

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040412/pl_nm/iraq_bush_dc_26

CRAWFORD, Texas (Reuters) - President Bush will hold his first solo news conference of the year on Tuesday night to update Americans on U.S.-led efforts in Iraq after a tough week of fighting militant Shi'ites and Sunnis, the White House said on Monday.

Bush's last solo news conference was Dec. 15. It will be only his third news conference in the White House East Room.

"We are at a critical period in Iraq and the president looks forward to talking to the American people and updating the American people where we are in Iraq right now and where we are headed," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

<snip>

He is also being urged to outline a clear vision of his plans for Iraq given the ongoing bloodshed and no clear exit strategy.

McClellan said Bush made the decision last Thursday to hold the news conference.

[ithacan]

1. scripted, of course

They've had since Thursday to set up the "reporters" who will be allowed to ask prescripted questions, just like the last "press conference."

Bush is absolutely PATHETIC!

[VolcanoJen]

If it's anything like that creepy pre-war press conference...

... I really am going to move to Halifax. :D

Seriously, that last press conference before the war was one of the most frightening things I've ever witnessed. Watching the press in chains is more than a little foundation-shaking.

[David Zephyr]

18. VolcanoJen, That Was Some Press Conference, Wasn't It?

That's the first thing that went through my mind when I saw this headline.

Bush is the only President in my lifetime to have a press-conference with pre-selected questions and questioners.

It's like a Press Conference with Training Wheels.

Of course, this sits perfectly with his joint visit to the 9/11 Commission with his handler, Dick Cheney.

If he only had a brain.

[VolcanoJen]

37. I just remember sitting there, jaw open, and feeling a little freaked-out.

It was so obviously calm, deliberate, manufactured. Not a single important question was answered. It was a Stepford-Press we were watching. It appeared so solemn, so resigning.

The first amendment jumped off a cliff that day.

[DieboldMustDie]

50. If he only had a heart...

and some courage. :evilgrin:

[FlashHarry]

69. You mean, the "how is your faith guiding you?" press conference?

Oh, that was a gem! I loved Franken's parodying of it on AA with Kerry. It went something like, "Now, Senator Kerry, just because we're a liberal radio show, it doesn't mean I won't ask you some hard-hitting questions. Senator Kerry, how do you respond to charges you're more trustworthy than President Bush?" I almost fell out of my chair!

[ezee]

10. shrub boy

needed all the time from Thursday till Tues night to have the speech writers change all the 2 or 3 syllable words to one syllable ones he knows how to pronounce. Then he had to have it read to him three or four times so he know how to read it...he is such a miserable fake.

[snippy]

59. Actually, he sometimes use 3 or 4 syllable words. Watch for it because

he frequently smiles and looks around while bobbing his head after using such a word. It is pretty funny.

[0007]

14. Hmmmmmm

Will junior be in a state of pitiable vacillation?
You can lay 9 to 5 junior will lie
money in the bank
:hurts:

[imax2268]

77. Welcome...and Thank You for Coming...

First question...

Mr pResident...Why do you think the insurgents are causing such Chaos in Falujah...?

They want to return to Rape Rooms, Torture Chambers and Mass Graves...

Mr pResident...We have heard that before...be honest with us...?

They are gangsters and thugs...

Mr pResident...seriously...?

They hate our freedoms...

Mr pResident...What is your stance on the US Forces casualties in Falujah...?

Next Question...

Mr pResident...What have you done since you have been in crawford...?

I clerrd sum brush...fed some pigs...

Mr pResident...will we make it to the hand off of power in time...?

Wait...I'm getting a message from God...

Sir...?

WHO ARE YOU TALKING TO...!?!?!??!

Mr pResident...seriously...will we make it to the hand off of power in time...?

Everything is fine...schools are open...water is running...electricity is plentiful...

Thanks for coming out...Goodnight...and God Bless Amuraka...

------------------------------------------------------------------

[ithacan]

78. LOL

that's great! I'd take bets on how close you came to what the actual transcript will read...

[MaineDem]

2. He's reading the questions now

And someone else is making up the answers for him.

I wish reporters would ask something off the script for a change.

[LittleApple81]

3. Why do they have to stress it is a "solo" press conference? Is

he supposed to be with a nanny for everything? Even to answer scripted questions?

[VolcanoJen]

6. GOOD CATCH!

Honestly... it's as if they are actually highlighting his "solo" appearance as some kind of "Must-See TV."

Interesting... they're obviously sensitive to the Cheney-Bush tandem heading to the Hill to get grilled by the 9/11 Commission.

[livetohike]

8. I hope someone asks him

why he can't testify alone, under oath and in public.

[Timefortruth]

33. That question will not be asked.

Either will, "Why didn't you realize immediately on 9/11 that we were under attack, and respond quickly?"

[cureautismnow]

54. Neither will this one...

Mr. pResident: Why did you fly your Bin Laden business partners out of the country after 9/11/01, while everyone else in the country was grounded?

[0007]

21. What time is junior coming on and is he is Crawford?

I've been out most of the day.

[DieboldMustDie]

52. 8:30 PM EDT I believe.

Presumably from the White House.

[stepnw1f]

46. Ohhhh Boy!

The man without a brain is gonna speak alone!!!!

[trumad]

7. Whats that? Number 11 in 3 1/2 years?

I saw a chart a couple of months ago rating Dub's news conf appearances to other Presidents... It's fucking embarrassing...

[Ripley]

81. I heard someone on CNN say it's 12.

Wow, a whopping 12 appearances during which our country has suffered more than any other time in so many ways. I can't watch him, it makes me physically sick.

[Kadie]

43. I wonder if he will be wearing his earpiece?

[maxsolomon]

58. THAT is the question is want to hear

'mr. president, are you wearing an earpiece?'

i'd fucking die laughing. to admit it: extremely damaging. to deny it: extremelly damaging, and a lie, as you can fucking SEE IT!

go for helen thomas! although you're blacklisted & don't get to ask questions anymore...

[daa]

90. Uncle Dickey is overseas nt

[bklyncowgirl]

4. Solo, you mean he's not going to have Cheney hold his hand!

[symbolman]

5. OH NO!

Another Twilight Zone episode.. my flesh crawled at the last one..

"So Mr President, tell us about your close and abiding relationship with god.."

I love how he called out their names before they held up their hands to make it appear like they wanted to get in the cue to ask a question..

worst of all, Bush is just plain CREEPY..

here, let him answer some of these questions:

http://www.takebackthemedia.com/condosleeza.html

[Lefty48197]

9. Will they make Helen Thomas sit in the hallway?

like they did last time he had a press conference. I think it was back in 'aught two.

[goclark]

84. What about Helen?

What would happen to her if she blurted out a question without having the permission of His Majesty? Would they cut off her head or something?

Helen is my hero and I want her to stand up and shout out a question!

[JohnOneillsMemory]

86. Team Helen: journalists asking her questions for her. Relentlessly.

I hope the fog of acquiescence in the press corp has lifted.

Now they all look like children if they DON'T go for the hard questions.

W is in for a vigorous game of kickball from this pack of six year olds.

[Elidor]

11. "The president looks forward to talking to the American people"

Translation: the preznit is scared shitless of facing the American people over his spectacular failure to take action over his mess in Iraq.

The thorazine factor should be pretty high tomorrow evening.

[oceanpoetry]

15. mercury retrograde

we can only hope his cochlear implant will malfunction!

[mulethree]

67. Nah

Get some energetic Revun to pray with him, thank god for all the guidance, thanks for showing the right but difficult path, yada yada yada divine guidance blah blah can I get a HALLELUJAH!

and the butterflies get replaced with impenetrable christian soldier armor

[Ilsa]

12. Has Rove or Hughes taken off the training wheels yet?

If not, I won't bother to watch. I want to see Helen Thomas ask some good ones. That would NOT include, "Do you pray with your hands folded, Mr. President*?" and other bs questions.

[Rockholm]

13. Somebody should jam the transmission between..

his earpiece and the "answer room" that answers the questions and relays the answers to him.

[54anickel]

53. Better yet, tap in and take control - have him spill the truth from his

own lyin' lips.

[WillyT]

16. You Know His Advisors Are Making Him Do This !!!

No fucking way this is HIS idea!

Broder talked about this yesterday on MTP.

He's gonna be one cornered little rat, no???

:grr:

On edit: See Broder Transcript Here (Post #13): http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x1392464#1393587

[skooooo]

28. Yeah, they made it pretty clear that Bush get his ass on TV.

...and he will, once again....

[AlCzervik]

17. Here is a little gem from

from the confab of 3/6/03, i'm sure you will remember it just by this little exchange. Im sure it's a preview for tommorrow nites. barf bag sold seperately.


April. Did you have a question, or did I call upon you cold?

Q Oh, I have a question. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: Okay. I'm sure you do have a question.

Q Mr. President, as the nation is at odds over war, with many organizations like the Congressional Black Caucus pushing for continued diplomacy through the U.N., how is your faith guiding you? And what should you tell America -- well, what should America do, collectively, as you instructed before 9/11? Should it be "pray?" Because you're saying, let's continue the war on terror.

THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that question a lot. First, for those who urge more diplomacy, I would simply say that diplomacy hasn't worked. We've tried diplomacy for 12 years. Saddam Hussein hasn't disarmed, he's armed.

And we live in a dangerous world. We live in new circumstances in our country. And I hope people remember the -- I know they remember the tragedy of September the 11th, but I hope they understand the lesson of September the 11th. The lesson is, is that we're vulnerable to attack, wherever it may occur, and we must take threats which gather overseas very seriously. We don't have to deal with them all militarily. But we must deal with them. And in the case of Iraq, it is now time for him to disarm. For the sake of peace, if we have to use our troops, we will.

My faith sustains me because I pray daily. I pray for guidance and wisdom and strength. If we were to commit our troops -- if we were to commit our troops -- I would pray for their safety, and I would pray for the safety of innocent Iraqi lives, as well.

One thing that's really great about our country, April, is there are thousands of people who pray for me that I'll never see and be able to thank. But it's a humbling experience to think that people I will never have met have lifted me and my family up in prayer. And for that I'm grateful. That's -- it's been -- it's been a comforting feeling to know that is true. I pray for peace, April. I pray for peace.

[LibDemAlways]

19. These scripted, make-believe "press conferences"

are a sick joke. If the press had any integrity at all, they'd refuse to participate -- and the idiot would be left standing in front of a lot of empty chairs. That would be worth watching.

[NashVegas]

20. I Love the Repetitive Use of 'Solo'

It's George's baby step.

[AlCzervik]

22. Ok, who is going to keep

track of the UMS, Thugs, Evildoers, Freedom Haters during his well rehearsed "Solo" faux press conference.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

66. It makes a great drinking game...

[DancingBear]

23. Well, I stand corrected

I posted last week that this simpleton would NEVER have another press conference. Granted, it is nothing more than "shit, I hope I remember what the pre-arranged answer to the upcoming pre-arranged question is", but he is standing in front of a camera.

Just like bad comedy - only real.

[VolcanoJen]

24. The more I ponder it, this has "unmitigated disaster" written all over it.

Ya know, he's appeared tragically out-of-touch lately, and when he does speak, he's all slurry, and mush-mouthed, and tired-looking.

The last time a reporter was given a shot at him was the now-infamous "Meet the Press" appearance. You know, it's been pretty-much downhill for Chimpy ever since that day. You could almost call it his "Jump The Shark" moment.

If the press walks in with teeth bared, I really don't think he's going to be able to pull this thing off tomorrow night.

[DancingBear]

26. "If the press walks in with teeth bared"

In our dreams, I'm afraid - but maybe one or two can get by security...

<fingers crossed>

[VolcanoJen]

32. I'm not sure about that.

After reading the Sunday "must-read" editorials, political pieces and round-ups, as well as the major coverage of the Newsweek poll, I'm really starting to think that the press is prepared, for the first time since Selection 2000, to go negative on this President. It's as if the "character" veil has finally been lifted in the eyes of Washington watchers, and it's trickling down ever-so-slowly to Americans who aren't really tuned into the process yet.

Tim Russert taught the media that the guy is vulnerable, and when you attempt to nail him down, he's evasive, and cutting. There are some young pit bulls in the press room that want to have their own big news-making moment, and I think we'll hear some provocative questioning tomorrow. The war is going bad, the 9/11 Commission is on everybody's lips, and, there's this election going on...

As long as the White House is going in there no-holds-barred, no-rules, no hand-picked "jury." I don't think they'll get away with it this time, if they try it again.

Just a hunch...

[54anickel]

56. Think you may be correct. In the past, it was the fear of being cut off

from having access. If they are beginning to think he won't be re-selected (and the chances of that would be improved if they'd start doing their friggen jobs) they do not stand to loose much. I am hoping there will be a few brave souls in that group of reporters.

[WillyT]

29. I Agree Totally !!!

I don't think he's capable of finesse, grace, candor, or any of the attributes that a REAL President would need in this type of situation.

If he starts snapping at the Press tomorrow night, he's done!!!

And, may I say, GOOD RIDDANCE !!!

:kick:

[VolcanoJen]

36. ALSO:By the time it starts, we'll have heard from Freeh, Ashcroft, Reno...

... and Thomas Pickard.

Who knows what brand-new dimension will be opened after their testimony? Bush won't have all that much prep-time to handle the spin of the 9/11 Commission hearings, just hours before he faces the press.

[WillyT]

39. Excellent Point !!!

There may be brand new revelations right before the conference!!!

:bounce:

Maybe he'll try to 'Condi' the Press Conference.

You know, give long winded meandering scripted answers to reporters with no follow-ups, then look at his watch and say "Times up!"...

then split...

That's probably what she flew down to Crawford for. Prep the pRez time.

:shrug:

[Ilsa]

70. I wonder if they'll figure out a way to cancel it

without looking like the chickenshit they are. Maybe the Chimp will have another "pretzel incident" to get a pass on showing up at his own press conference.

[Paradise]

25. This is how tomorrow's press conference REALLY came about!

just as * and Mubarak were walking out of their joint press conference, today, a reporter called out something like 'will you be having a press conference, after (whatever)?' (don't know exact words); then * turned back, and said:
"uh, s u r e, uh, why not.". he looked like a deer caught in the headlights.

on fr, as well as on tv, they were stating that * 'announced' a press conference for tomorrow, and, on fr, were speculating on what important thing he has to announce. W R O N G!

[skooooo]

30. What the hell is wrong with him?? Contrast this to Kerry...

...who appeared on Faux News yesterday and actually was able to speak for a few minutes without getting interrupted. By the way, Kerry has gotten pretty good at handling those aggressive "journalists" on Faux News. They were trying to interrupt him and Kerry kept saying "May I finish?" "May I finish?"

Finally when they shut up, Kerry started in where he left off, sounded articulate and made some good points.

[Paradise]

34. I missed Kerry yesterday.

Thanks for the feedback.

[WillyT]

31. Oh Man... An Unintented Press Conference, Accidently Called By Bush ???

If this is true, his advisors must be shitting their pants right about now!!!

Oh... to be a fly on THAT wall...

:bounce:

[Paradise]

40. Hope I didn't misinterpret, but that's what I saw and heard.

Perhaps, there'll be a full rerun of today's press conference with Mubarak and * . He was even telling them that he'd hold it in the east room, and something about wearing a red tie (he was tie-less at the time). My problem is that I can't stand to see or hear him so, must admit, do get bits and pieces.

[WillyT]

42. No Problemo, The Dye Is Cast, Get Ready To Pop Some Popcorn !!!

:toast::hi::toast:

[Paradise]

45. Thanks :) n/t

[Dr Fate]

48. That's "News" conference, not "press"...see post #38 n/t

n/t

[For PaisAn]

71. This may explain things

Maybe today the reporter asked Bush "Will you be having a press conference after your news conference?" to which Bush replied "Uh, sure, uh, why not."

That would mean that the news conference was planned and scheduled but the press conference was agreed to impromptu by Bush today. His handlers must be very angry with him for making such a big decision on his own.

[54anickel]

27. Pray for our troops, this is advanced notice and the Iraqis may use this

as a good time for something "big" as a distraction. Sort of like that bombing of the Sheraton during the press briefing last week. What was it that reporter on Faux said, "the understand the importance of information, they want to distract the good news with the bad" or something to that effect.
Hopefully nothing will come of it, but I do fear for our troops.
Pray if you're inclined, keep them in your thoughts.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

87. Good point. The 'insurgents' use the news cycle against the neocons.

Seemed to me that for a while, there were attacks in Iraq on the weekend to make the Monday news cycle. New meaning to 'Monday blues' for our troops.

This press conference is the equivalent of another 'bring it on' speech and some of our troops will die for this 'stay the course' PR move.

[Zero Gravitas]

35. How will he find the time

After all the Presidency is, apparently, only a part time job (500 days off so far) I'm surprised he can find the time to give a fake press conference.

[snippy]

60. The W stands for whore but Bush thinks it stands for vacation. Very odd.

[truthisfreedom]

63. wacotion.

[Dr Fate]

38. Note the word "News" instead of "Press"

Subtle, I know. But the emphasis is on "news"- as in "the news WE are going to give you" as opposed to "press"- as in- "the press will get you the story"- Are you guys reading me?

News conference, or speech? The media cant seem to tell.

Anyone remember his LAST "NEWS conference"???

I coulda SWORN it wuz a speech....

[Enraged_Ape]

41. That's right. This is a pre-screened, pre-scripted event.

Dumbass will have access to all questions and answers ahead of time and will just read the answers off in the order that Hughes and Rove give them to him, just like he did the last time there was a "news conference" prior to the war. And the whore media will go right along with it.

He screwed up the last time he did this. Remember when he said, "This is scripted"?

[Dr Fate]

47. We need "PRESS" conferences, not "NEWS" conferences...

Perhaps Kerry should start giving "Press" conferences to show the contrast.

[Paradise]

49. Oh, so that's what it was all about.

I didn't catch that subtlety. Thanks :) .

[JohnOneillsMemory]

88. BINGO! Like swapping the Pledge of Allegiance for the Bill of Rights! n/t

[Malva Zebrina]

44. too fast too soon

and he is being propelled into doing this by others--he doesn not have a clue, and of that I am certain

He must have memorized this the whole time he was on vacation again at Crawford dry gulch

I am convinced he goes to the dry gulch in Crawford, to drink ,rehearse for his next press conference, and to avoid thsoe taped sessions that someone let leak are recorded in these meetings when they occur in the White HOuse.

In
Crawford, these recordings are not there.



He will rehearse for this part several time over. What do you think he was doing today when we saw not hide or hand of him?

and I suspect we will see and hear, terra, terra, evil evil and all the rest of the shallow platitudes that he utters while he thinks he is quite clever for doing so .

He is really a stupid, uninformed, incurious and dumb, little rich boy, not a man.

[colonel odis]

51. if bush were to get up there and apologize --

-- not that i want him to. not that i think for a second he will ....... but if he got in front of the american people tomorrow, shrugged his shoulders, acted humble, and said "i blew it and i am so sorry," he'd win big in november.

however, and i guess this is my point, he is so full of hubris, denial, and condescending rich boy pride, it would never in a million years occur to him to do something as simple and human as that.

he could get re-elected in a heartbeat, but his own stupidity will keep him from it.

thank goodness for his stupidity.

[Rex]

55. His first solo news conference and we are only 1/4 into the year

he must be getting desperate if he is going to hold a press conference for the press pee-yons so early in the year. (sarcasm)

[dave29]

57. Can press conferences be "under oath"

I think they should be.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

89. The Oath of Office at inauguration should cover public veracity. n/t

[Gloria]

61. Where will Cheney be??? Piping in answers from Japan??

eom

[TankLV]

62. It's a news "lecture" - not a "conference".

He will read a few prepared statements and accept no comments - that's a lecture.

Honest give and take, without any preparation, is what we used to have until this idiot stole the white house.

[Name removed]

64. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[GeorgeGist]

65. Question for FUBAR

Mr. President: Why didn't you prepare the country for the war in Iraq that we are now witnessing?

[Triana]

68. i can get all the updates i need...

...without listening to that weaselly little man's lies. if you want the truth - you don't listen to george bu$h...

[Moonbeam_Starlight]

72. It's his FIRST

news conference of the year? And as others have pointed out, why the word "solo"? I swear to everything that is holy, I have never seen that characterization of a presidential news conference before Chucklenuts started squatting in that fine taxpayer-supported house.

As far as the press goes, I have a feeling this will be VERY scripted, BUT media is about money, period. And when the media smells blood in the water, they react. I have noticed lately they are acting more and more like they have a scent.

That being said, don't expect them to act as sharks tomorrow.

BTW, speaking of drinking games, I'd love one for tomorrow's "news confuzzlation". How about take a drink everytime you can see that he has bed head hair? (What is UP with his hair lately? Anyone else notice how he always looks in need of a cut and has bits and pieces sticking up and other parts flattened like he just rolled out of bed? Minor, I know, but weird.) Take a drink everytime he looks pleased with himself (look to be drunker than your Uncle Joe REAL quick on that one). Take a drink everytime he does that weird head bob, squint the eyes, smirk three-part motion?

Take a drink for every "uh". Take a drink for every smirky shit-eating grin. Take a drink for every misplaced hand gesture (he does them late.....). Take a drink for every "deer in the headlights" look.

Geez, nevermind, you'd be blotto two minutes into it.

Everyone do me this ONE favor. When he ends it with "God bless America", yell out at your TV screen (if you are so inclined) "God bless THE WHOLE WORLD, NO EXCEPTIONS!" Obviously if you are atheist or not otherwise inclined, ignore that suggestion. That little comment of his always gets under my skin. Like WE'RE the only country God should worry about or something, sheesh.

I'll watch this amazing solo act, but not without my puke bucket.

[dogonarug]

76. "God Bless America"

Blessing is a little light...we need a fucking exorcism!!

[MUAD_DIB]

73. Why don't they just call it a "Solo Lipsink"

and then * can saunter on out and mouth the words that Karl Rove is speaking, backstage, in answer to the scripted questions?

Shrub can accentuate his performance with scantilly clad backup singers and pyrotechniques.

Hell who needs any reporters? Let FAUX host it and turn it into an Amurkin Idol show.

[nwohiodemocrat]

79. Lip Sync

Too bad Milli Vanilli is not available to help * with his lip sync performance. Rumor has it that Janet Jackson was going to help * with his performance, but when they started ripping off each others clothes during practice......she was disgusted with his leather bra and pierced nipples he wears with his cod piece.

[Lugnut]

74. I wonder....

If they're going to allow Helen Thomas to ask any questions?

[BattyDem]

75. A more accurate description would be ...

"Bush to Stage a Puppet Show Tuesday Night" :eyes:

[Zerex71]

80. I feel a draft coming on...brr...

See subject.

[PfcHammer]

82. WH meetings are scripted. attendees are given an allotted amount

of time to speak and go in a predetermined order. so why not
press, er, news conferences

[callous taoboy]

83. I hear

he prefers Huggies on such occasions.

[peterh]

85. I sense a totally boring 45-min. scripted BS session…

That only a full fledged dittohead will be able to sit through….12 minutes of rah rah and our god will win, followed by a couple of pre-chosen questions that will be addressed with a smirk and a rehearsed “I’m glad you asked that and let me take up the rest of the allotted time by saying………”

Then if you’re still an S/M gamer, tune in to the channel of your choice (CNN, MSNBC, FAUX) and witness the drooling analysis of said BS session….


WASHINGTON (AP)--U.S. President George W. Bush will use the first 12 minutes
of his prime-time news conference to reassure the nation about rising casualties
and instability in Iraq………..

White House Communications Director Dan Bartlett said Monday that the
president also is prepared to address questions about a memo, titled "Bin Laden
Determined To Strike in U.S.," that he received on Aug. 6, 2001, as part of the
President's Daily Brief.

[BattyDem]

91. Let's just hope this isn't the reason ...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x483319

You know the drill. Whenever Bush* is getting bad press, something "big" happens to knock the negative stuff off the front page. :eyes: