Bush press conference highlights government crisis

[Euphen]

"The administration’s aversion to press conferences has two root causes: concerns on the part of Bush’s political handlers about his general lack of knowledge and limited mental capacities, and an obsession with secrecy that reflects the White House’s contempt for democracy.

"Based on Bush’s performance July 30, his aversion to appearing before the press—even the servile crowd that comprises the White House press corps—is well founded. Despite the efforts of most reporters to lob innocuous questions, Bush proved himself incapable of formulating a coherent argument on any substantive issue. The 50-minute session was a confused collection of lies and evasions, interspersed with sound bites taken from the grab-bag of Bush administration propaganda.

<snip>

"The sordid nature of the American political process, thoroughly dominated by the role of money and influence, was neatly captured in the following exchange:

Question: Mr. President, with no opponent, how can you spend $170 million or more on your primary campaign?

Bush: Just watch.

(Laughter)


<snip>

"There was an unreal air to the press conference. Here was a roomful of people walking on eggs, as it were. The assembled journalists shared the sense that to put Bush on the spot about any one of a range of questions—the quagmire in Iraq, the budget deficit, the growth of unemployment—carried the risk of a presidential meltdown. The timidity and banality of the questioning was, in large measure, a reflection of the growing fear within all sections of the media and political establishment, Democrats as well as Republicans, that a crisis is looming in America that could set off an unprecedented wave of social and political struggles."

http://wsws.org/articles/2003/aug2003/bush-a02.shtml

[ClintonTyree]

1. Coupled with.................

the fact that the press conference was called with a 2 hour warning to the reporters, and at 10:30 in the morning when virtually nobody would be able to see it live, Bush yet again evades any real interrogation about his mismanagement of our country. What a weenie.

[NJCher]

2. finally someone is writing about this

Good analysis of how pathetically he has performed as a communicator. The comparison of press conferences to his father and Big Dog says it all.

That last paragraph you chose to snip presents the idea that the timidity of the press is at least partially based on how pathetic he is--so woefully out of his element. Which we here, of course, all know. It reminds me of the first breakfast meeting he had with Democrats after he stole the office. The feelings that were expressed there were similar--that he was so awkward and self-conscious that they felt compelled to "be nice."

I recall my own feelings when I saw how in over his head he was. This was, I believe,in the spring before 9/11. He was getting jeered and he responded, "Thank ya, thank ya." What an idiotic thing to say but it showed how he didn't have a clue as to how to handle a public taunt. I remember that feeling I had--I actually felt sorry for him. There was such a feeling of desperation coming from him. It was sad.

What a sorry spectacle this is. Someday, someone will write about this low moment in our history, when the corporate behind-the-scenes powers put such a woefully inadequate person in the driver's seat, to the detriment of all.



Cher