Major, major bush "Flip Flop" today?

[salin]

Remember Bush's big press conference (not the speech at the Army College - but the press conference before that... was it in April? Early May?)

He made big point, while laying out "his plan"... that the US troops would start being relieved and operations (or security?) would be under an international... Polish led NATO troops. He said it multiple times.

This week, while he got his UN Security vote, he was soundly rebuked about NATO.

So to save face - in his press conference this afternoon - he says the following:

Q: Thanks, Mr. President. (French) President (Jacques) Chirac said yesterday that NATO (news - web sites) should not intervene in Iraq. is that what you're proposing, is a common ground possible before the Turkey summit?

BUSH: I suggested to the leaders of the G-8 that we listen to the needs of the Iraqi leadership, and if they ask for more training, for example, a good organization to provide that training would be NATO.

As I said, I think in your presence, as a matter of fact, I don't expect more troops from NATO to be offered up. That's an unrealistic expectation. Nobody is suggesting that. What we are suggesting is for NATO perhaps to help train. That would come at the request of the Iraqi government.

Can anyone remember when the press conference took place (the big evening deal - on all channels...)? Would love to compare what he said there to what he says today. I didn't listen to the War College speech, but would guess that he repeated the "plan" he discussed in the Press Conference.

Also... prior to the War College speech - the news and his people kept repeating that he was going to give a number (five? six) of BIG POLICY SPEECHES between then and the June 30th transition date. Have we heard anything about ANY other speech after the War College speech?

[Beetwasher]

1. They Gave That Speech A Week Idea Up Completely!

I predicted as much!!!

Don't know about the press conference info though...

[wryter2000]

3. Yup,

It went the way of the Man to Mars announcement.

[didntvote4shrub]

2. April 14

I put "Bush press conference, magic tie" into Google. :-)

[Beetwasher]

4. LOL!!! Magic Tie!!

That's hilarious!!

[salin]

5. Bwahahaha

wouldn't have thought of that key word... LOL!

[The_Casual_Observer]

6. BTW, whats the latest on the Mars expedition??

or revealing the "truth" about WMD.

[salin]

7. Link to Text of April 14 Press Conference

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/04/13/politics/main611676.shtml

Key Excerpts:
The United Nations Election Assistance Team, headed by Karina Perelli, is in Iraq developing plans for next January's election. NATO is providing support for the Polish-led, multinational division in Iraq. And 17 of NATO's 26 members are contributing forces to maintain security.

Secretary of State Powell and Secretary of State Rumsfeld and a number of NATO defense and foreign ministers are exploring a more formal role for NATO, such as turning the Polish-led division into a NATO operation and giving NATO specific responsibilities for border control.

Okay - so he does state that they are just exploring this option... but remember this was the speech where he was trying to make clear to the public that they did have a plan...

So may be it is less of a flip-flop.. and more indication that they HAD NO PLAN - bungled things up so badly that other countries won't get involved significantly (remember, the Polish presence (which has responsibility for one of the regions in Iraq) is expected to leave in the near future... despite pleas from Washington).

Regardless - it makes his attempts to paint things as "under control" and the idea that the troops will be coming home anytime soon, much, much harder for the public to keep swallowing. Too many press reports of extended stays, stop-gap policies, and reports of countries (AND NATO) who will NOT commit any troops.

[Beetwasher]

9. Their Plan Was To Fly By The Seats Of Their Pants

Pray things went their way, and when they did, have a speech about it. Too bad, per usual, they fucked everything up, from picking the Pres. to getting NATO involved and VOILA! No more speeches!

[Career Prole]

8. Here's the transcript to the Magic Tie speech

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040413-20.html

and here's the NATO reference you asked about:
"Other nations and international institutions are stepping up to their responsibilities in building a free and secure Iraq. We're working closely with the United Nations envoy, Lakhdar Brahimi, and with Iraqis to determine the exact form of the government that will receive sovereignty on June 30th. The United Nations election assistance team, headed by Karina Parelli (phonetic), is in Iraq, developing plans for next January's election. NATO is providing support for the Polish-led multinational division in Iraq. And 17 of NATO's 26 members are contributing forces to maintain security.

Secretary of State Powell and Secretary of State Rumsfeld, and a number of NATO defense and foreign ministers are exploring a more formal role for NATO, such as turning the Polish-led division into a NATO operation, and giving NATO specific responsibilities for border control."

"Secretary of State Powell and Secretary of State Rumsfeld"

What an ultra-maroon. :wtf: