Press Conference

Worst:

The president needs a new hair stylist. And some sleep. And what is up with that tie?

Best (that I remember):

“Freedom isn’t our gift to the world. It’s the Almighty’s gift to the world."

“We're doing the right thing . . . I don't make decisions based on polls.”

“Never allow our youngsters to die in vain.”

Funny:

The curled, sneering, sweating upper lip on the reporter who asked why President Bush and Vice President Cheney were appearing together before the 9/11 Commission.

George W. Bush is no glib-tongue communicator, no Condi Rice. He misspeaks and stumbles over words. However, as he mentioned, when he says something he means it. (It sounded like he might have had occasion to use that line more than once in the past twenty years or so.) To use an LOTR metaphor, who would you rather have in the breach? Samwise Gamgee or Grima Wormtongue?

*****

I just saw a news report with the statistic that this was only the president’s twelfth news conference. Contrast that with his father’s 75 (the most of the last five presidents, even Reagan and Clinton). I think that this is a mistake on his part. This format isn’t his strong suit, however I think that his unwillingness to talk directly to the press contributes to their antipathy towards him. It’s a mutual contempt society there. I’m not saying that contempt isn't justified (on his part), but throwing red meat to the vultures is part of the unwritten job description. And, during a time of war, it's essential to "buck up the troops," and not just the real ones.

All in all, however, this was a good, genuine give-and-take from the president, even in the face of a hostile question or two.

Comments

[o_my]

I watched. I noticed the hair. Maybe the wind-blown-just-rolled-out-of-bed-or-had-sex look is in.

Shame on me for commenting on the hairdo as opposed to the speech. For shame.

[The Commissar]

He was speaking over the press, to the people. They were just the foils. The talking heads will blather on about how he ducked this or that question.

The people, including my wife, a Dem., can understand English, and he made himself very clear. She thought he did a fine job. She prolly wont vote for him, but thought he did fine tonight.

[Timothy]

I don't know how anyone can take the press seriously when they ask the same "question" ("apologize!") a dozen times. They they ask, "Did you know you're a really bad communicator? Shouldn't you work on that or something?"

They've lost their minds. If this were 1942 they'd be demanding FDR apologize for Pearl Harbor and asking why he limps so much.

Idiots.

[Calliope]

Bush talks the way normal people talk. Its part of his appeal. The pointy-heads don't get this and never will.

He also always looks tired when he does these things at night like this. Bush is an early to bed early to rise guy. I know it seems weird to some folks because I'm the same way. All my life people have acted like I'm nuts because I start running out of gas about 4pm and by 8 or 9pm I'm snoozing away. I'm up at 4:30 or 5am though and Bush is the same way. I can't tell you the last time I was up at midnight. It had to be a long time ago though.

[La Shawn Barber]

That's why I listened on the radio. I didn't want to be distracted by the visuals.

[Pat Curley]

I agree with you to a certain extent on the press punishing Bush for the lack of press conferences. There is an unwritten rule of journalism that says "Talk to us or we'll eat you alive". Of course, Reagan and Bush I gave lots of press conferences and the press were not exactly deferential to them. They don't like Republicans.

Your larger point (that he should do this more often) is 100% accurate. Bush doesn't come across as glib, and that is to his credit. He may not speak well extemporaneously (to put it mildly), but his candor is apparent.

[Arnold]

The hairstyle and tie didn't bother me. But he needed to stop sticking his tongue out so often... it was really distracting.

Get that man a chapstick!