Behind the Scenes of Operation Photo-Op
Behind the Scenes of Operation Photo-Op
Earlier today, President Bush held an “impromptu” public teleconference with a group of U.S. soldiers based in Tikrit, Iraq.
Pentagon communications aide Allison Barber “insisted the questions were not rehearsed. The military had been told ahead of time only about topics the president might want to talk about, not specific questions. ‘We just knew broad themes,’ Barber said.”
Yet reporters could clearly hear White House handlers, including Barber herself, prepping the troops for President Bush’s photo-op:
WH Pooler Geoff Earle of the New York Post writes of the teleconference: “The soldiers, nine U.S. men and one U.S. woman, plus an Iraqi, had been tipped off in advance about the questions in the highly scripted event. Allison Barber, deputy assistant to the Secretary of Defense for internal communication, could be heard asking one soldier before the start of the event, “Who are we going to give that [question] to?”
Hotline (sub. req’d) has published this transcript of pool footage featuring a Bush aide “who was, in her own words, ’scripting’ the soldiers shortly before their ‘conversation’ with Bush”:
WH aide: “Capt. Kennedy are you ready?”
Kennedy: “I am ready, ma’am.”
WH aide: “Okay this is for the money. We are going to time this and remember that if the president cuts it short, if he asks more questions, if you have the microphone and he follows up with a question to you, no matter who has it, Captain Pratt if you have the microphone and the president hears something and he wants more information, you just keep that microphone and talk to the president.”
Kennedy: “Okay.”
WH aide: “But if he gives us a question that is not something that we have scripted Captain Kennedy you are going to have the mic and that’s your chance to impress us all.”
Kennedy: “Okay.”
WH aide: “Which won’t be a problem for you.”
UPDATE: Reporter asks Scott McClellan: “How were they selected, and are their comments to the president pre-screened, any questions or anything…” McClellan responds, “No.”
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This makes me sick. I hope this makes it all over the blogs and the news. Hey, I can hope for the MSM, OK!?
October 13th, 2005 at 12:52 pmOf course it was scripted. Duhbuhya couldn’t handle going into a situation like Rummy faced when that National Guard guy asked him why the troops were having to jerry rig armor onto their vehicles. The faux Texan wouldn’t know how to handle it, he’d probably explode at the guys, and while that would have been delicious TV to see, it’s not what the WH wants to have at the moment. They have enough problems with 60%+ of the population realizing the Repubes have skeerued the pooch in governance.
October 13th, 2005 at 12:54 pmWell, who’d have thought that the President can’t even handle a teleconference with the troops without them being fed lines.
I’m particularly interested in the comment… “Okay this is for the money.” Were these troops being PAID for their involvement? Are they members of SAG?
“Wag the Dog” anyone?
Z.
October 13th, 2005 at 12:57 pmI think I saw one of the soldiers mouthing one of the President’s answers in the hopes of helping that pathetic, sub-40% jackass out.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:01 pmReprehensible.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:06 pm#4 – I think she was referring to a “money shot.” Sort of like the paparazzi catching Britney Spears smoking while pregnant. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, please.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:08 pmClarification: Bush is reprehensible. I feel embarrassed for our country and these soldiers. Even if they volunteered, it’s just plain sad.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:09 pmAll the world’s a stage, and all the men and women merely . . . stooges for the leader of the free world. The Repub chickenhawks tell us what a wonderful war it is for those childish dreams which have been formulated to justify the profit of it, and the Dems in Congress have an Out of Iraq Caucus, whose main achievement has been to keep themselves out of Iraq or any solution to it. The whole play is a corporate production produced through corporate subsidiaries like the Presidency, the Congress and The Supreme Court. “Places, everyone . . .”
October 13th, 2005 at 1:09 pmWell, there is a plus to this teleconference. Bushco could have flown AF1 to Iraq for this prescripted photo op.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:11 pmHe should have! Maybe then he would finally see what’s really going on there!
October 13th, 2005 at 1:12 pmYeah, #11, you got me there.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:14 pmMaybe he would have pulled a Teddy Roosevelt, grabbed a rifle and started actually firing at the enemy! Now that would have been AWESOME! Oh wait, he’s a draft dodger. He probably paid somebody to fire his weapon for him while in basic training. Nevermind.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:17 pmAre you kidding? He’s not going back to Iraq till he gets another fake turkey like he is.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:20 pmScott MaClellan is also a liar:
QUESTION: How were they selected, and are their comments to the president pre-screened, any questions or anything…
MCCLELLAN: No.
QUESTION: Not at all?
MCCLELLAN: This is a back-and-forth.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:22 pmThis is how Rove has poisoned poor Bush. Small timey tactics in the big arena. SO HARD TO WATCH!
October 13th, 2005 at 1:23 pmThis is the drawback to telling losers they are winners.
Somewhere deep in the West Wing an intern is laughing. Somebody pulled a fast one on old W.
It’s like the video from when he was Governor and he gave the “one finger victory salute” because he didn’t think it was taping! The Man is a MORON!
October 13th, 2005 at 1:29 pmIt’s amazing to see how quickly their lies are being exposed, and yet they continue to tell more lies to cover them up. Now, not only the emporer has no clothes — even his ladies in waiting like Scottie-boy are a bit nekked too.
Just like the old saying, “there’s three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and REPUGLICANTS” (or something like that…).
October 13th, 2005 at 1:29 pmSorry, hat tip for #15 from Talking Points Memo.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:30 pmI wonder if CNN will talk about this… you know they have the same pool tapes that hotline is talking about! Come on CNN! Whip it out! Show us what you’re made of!
Corporate Sissies!
October 13th, 2005 at 1:31 pmTHIS JUST IN – - Osama’s #2, al Zawahiri, just sent a letter to Zarqawi in Iraq. I will translate the relevant portion for you:
“My dear lieutenant – greetings! You are doing a good job, but we suggest you stop bombing the mosques and schools. We do not want luke-warm Muslims to turn against us with great ferocity. You are hurting our reputation. Our goal, with dear friends (and allies like “the Schmuck, Susan, etc. ad nauseum), is to pressure, and ultimately force, the removal of US forces from Iraq. (From my university studies in Egypt, I understand an old communist infidel applied the term “useful idiots†to these idiots.) After the removal of the US and “coalition†troops from Iraq, we will conduct a world-wide jihad against the infidels – it will be just a matter of time before we can achieve our ultimate goal- the destruction of Israel. Praise Allah.â€
October 13th, 2005 at 1:36 pmUh… I guess you didn’t see where that has ALREADY been debunked and whatnot. Sheesh! Get a Clue!
October 13th, 2005 at 1:38 pmgee, Aphrodite — you gotta work on your Arabic, since you seem to have completely botched your translation. The full translated doc was posted a couple of days ago on Kos…try cut and paste next time you wanna post something without any effort.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:39 pmWay to try and change to topic, though! Good job! Better luck next time!
Any comment on Stooge Boy Bush being propped up like a puppet? Sad isn’t it, that we don’t have a real leader?
October 13th, 2005 at 1:39 pmThis mis-administration has lied to Americans from the start. . . don’t expect them to change their tactics when they are tanking. We can only expect more and bigger lies. We will also hear more claims of world domination by the terrorists, thus the need to find and kill as many as possible. They now have to stick to the terrorists are everywhere and ready to kill you and take your suv because it’s the only option left to justify the $Millions spent and thousands of lives lost.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:43 pmTHIS JUST IN – - Osama’s #2, al Zawahiri, just sent a letter to Zarqawi in Iraq. I will translate the relevant portion for you:
“My dear lieutenant – greetings! You are doing a good job, but we suggest you stop bombing the mosques and schools. We do not want luke-warm Muslims to turn against us with great ferocity. You are hurting our reputation. Our goal, with dear friends (and allies like “the Schmuck, Susan, etc. ad nauseum), is to pressure, and ultimately force, the removal of US forces from Iraq. (From my university studies in Egypt, I understand an old communist infidel applied the term “useful idiots†to these idiots.) After the removal of the US and “coalition†troops from Iraq, we will conduct a world-wide jihad against the infidels – it will be just a matter of time before we can achieve our ultimate goal- the destruction of Israel. Praise Allah.â€
Comment by mighty aphrodite
I thought we caught and killed the number 2 guy? Like ten times already… It sucks when nobody believes you anymore, doesn’t it?
October 13th, 2005 at 1:52 pmNothing makes me more ill than to see the way Bush continuallt uses our troops as props for his own benifit.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:54 pmWhat the hell country have I woken up in today?
This is really pathetic. Just like everything else BushCo attempts.
Propaganda anyone? :-(
October 13th, 2005 at 1:54 pmUh… I guess you didn’t see where that has ALREADY been debunked and whatnot. Sheesh! Get a Clue!
Comment by Andrew — October 13, 2005 @ 1:38 pm
#
gee, Aphrodite — you gotta work on your Arabic, since you seem to have completely botched your translation. The full translated doc was posted a couple of days ago on Kos…try cut and paste next time you wanna post something without any effort.
Comment by Zippy the Other Pinhead —
It’s all greek to that odite.
October 13th, 2005 at 1:55 pmI watched the Bush, military short film. Same as alway’s, Bush with his notes and the military trying to look up beat and at attention. Problem is he looks worse every time I see him and his stuttering and stammering has increased as well. Nothing new here, same ole, same ole……………….Blessings…Cnn putting on some coverage, stupid bast*** bush.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:00 pmThis was a blatant and disgusting photo-op of the worst kind. Exploiting soldiers, using them for his own purposes, as propaganda tools. I seem to recall footage of dictators throughout history using people to praise the government. He, his party, his administration and all of us should be embarrassed by this shameless performance.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:03 pmHe has no shame; he can’t be embarrassed by his actions. That would indicate that he has a conscience and he thinks.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:10 pmHe is an embarrassment that never stops repeating itself.
Bobby, I think you hit it right on the head.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:18 pmWow. Karl Rove really HAS abandoned the pRez! This latest photo op smacks of total inexperience. Hope for Bush’s sake that he and Rove kiss and make up soon. Actually, it’s much more delicious to see the amateur results of Rove’s proteges, instead. What a sham.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:19 pmWhy is it the republicans always pull out the ‘terrorist card’ with some fake alert or fake email or fake letter every time their poll numbers sink? Easy – because they don’t have any REAL agenda or REAL policies that benefit the american public. Fear is the only tactic of the Reichwing – just like the ‘fear of the evil jews’ was used by Hitler – the ‘fear of the terrorist’ is used by this little hitler.
Stupid people were duped under the first one, and Mighty Windbag, MrWrong, MissNED dead in the head all show exactly how stupid they are with junior…
How sad and pathetic they look to anyone with their brain switched on. Such stupid dupes!
October 13th, 2005 at 2:26 pmAt this point in the farce, I’d bet that they weren’t even real military, but paid actors.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:37 pmCNN was talking about the “scandal” but didn’t hear if they referred to the prepping of the questions.
If you want to parse the gaggle, they did ask scottie of the questions were “pre-screened,” which technically, I think they weren’t screened, as that would indicate the soldiers made them up.(?) More like “fed.”
October 13th, 2005 at 2:40 pmI pulled this from talking points memo – look at the government spending numbers below. Clearly by republican standards – clinton is a much better republican than bush is…
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/week_2005_10_09.php#006740
content – from the story:
Over at the blog of Reason Magazine, Editor Nick Gillespie has posted a list of how much each two-term president increased spending going back forty years.
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Specifically, the list measures increases in discretionary spending over five successive budgets, adjusted for inflation.
Here are the numbers …
LBJ: 25.2%
Nixon: -16.5%
Reagan: 11.9%
Clinton: -8.2%
Bush: 35.2%
Now, clearly, this exercise means different things to Libertarians like the folks at Reason than it might to readers of this website.
But I think this only represents half the picture. And probably not the more important half.
There are enduring disagreements between the moderate right and moderate left in this country over the ideal size and scope of the federal government. But the truth is that the country can do fine with relatively small government or relatively large government so long as things don’t get too out of hand in either direction. What it can’t withstand for very long is a radical and growing disjuncture between spending and revenue, money out and money in.
That is the problem we face today. And that’s why we’re probably in for a long ten years as all of this hits the fan.
October 13th, 2005 at 2:54 pmthe bushie ’show’…”Now men, don’t move your lips to much so we can edit the words later.” “Sorry I can’t be over there with you, but I’ve got a golf game..now watch this drive.” “wow i’m good, now pick up your copy of ‘my pet goat’ on the way back to combat.” “I might fly in real quick someday at night…but I’m kinda busy with this ‘impeachment ‘ thing.”
October 13th, 2005 at 3:43 pmwhat a sick joke on the sheep of america.
American Pie
A bit of thinking back to the ’70’s – plus blogs on Tom Delay, watching part of our TV show online, Olbermann’s bit on the Nexus of Politics and Terror and MUCH more.
October 13th, 2005 at 4:06 pmIf I were in Fascism School, I imagine that this would be what one of the classes would be like.
Insufferablus Doushebaggus
October 13th, 2005 at 4:29 pmThis is just the latest example of Bush and his administration doing whatever they deem necessary to try and put a positive spin on the disaster in Iraq.
October 13th, 2005 at 4:30 pmCongratulations.. the press ‘caught’ politicians doing what politicians do. I suppose you people think that none of Bill Clinton’s ‘impromptu’ press conferences were ever made up of people asking pre-screened questions?
Your blind venom is why you keep losing elections and have caused complete power to be handed over to this GOP crapfest.
Oh and I’m a libertarian who is not among the 40% who support Bush, much as you zealots may find that hard to believe.
October 13th, 2005 at 5:21 pmIt can’t be so. You can’t be just now realizing that this happens in public persuasion or as it is properly called, show business. There hasn’t been a major campaign from the 70’s on that doesn’t rehearse “impromtu” appearances (except the wild-catter Howard Dean). In setting up cameras and sound you have to check levels, test mics, rehearse. You all should have figured this out when you got your first home video cameras.
What’s interesting about this one is that Bush is now being set up to look terrible….as if he’s lost control of aspects within his administration. This may be a last minute appeal to the ranks of the scared Republicans that they better rally behind Rove in order to save both his job, Bush’s and their own futures. It’s a desperate move, to be sure, and could fail. But, “you’re either with us or with the terrorists”…again.
October 13th, 2005 at 5:38 pmHey Biff,
The blind venom comes from the right.
October 13th, 2005 at 5:41 pmThe left reserves venom for those who deserve it.
BTW, not that it matters since Clinton is not
president anymore, but were his campaigns full
of loyalty oath supporters only?
Go get a clue Biff.
Interesting Richard,
So they are going for incompetence sympathy?
October 13th, 2005 at 5:43 pmDoesn’t seem like the wingers would go for that.
Have you noticed that FUBAR Bush events are always
completely fake? They have been for as long as I
can remember. What does that say about him?
Another desperate attempt. We are winning!
Bushie is desperate, Bushie is desperate!
October 13th, 2005 at 6:14 pmLousy, like his whole administration! Regime change, anyone, anyone???
October 13th, 2005 at 6:29 pmDefinately Marc. The majority of the citizens of the U.S. want impeachment.
October 13th, 2005 at 6:43 pmUnfortunately, Susan, that majority is silent… That’s where we got all of those red states.
George W. Bush – - Like a Rock; Only Dumber.
October 13th, 2005 at 7:00 pmDear comment #25. An easy way to fulfill your wish list would be to move to Canada. We have all that, except for the $10 minimum wage alas. It ranges from about $6 to $8.00
October 13th, 2005 at 7:28 pmDear comment #25. An easy way to fulfill your wish list would be to move to Canada. We have all that, except for the $10 minimum wage alas. It ranges from about $6 to $8.00
Higher than America’s minimum wage? How can that be? We are the superpower.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:35 pmthe bush p.r. crusaders had to concoct something after his jabberjaw/blinky breakdown follwing Matt Lauer’s seemingly tame questions about his performance(no pun intended)after katrina.
the truly scary thing is that they don’t care if it this was staged at all.They are so blatant about their hubris that they want this all to appear like its the only way to run a government in the war on terror.It all started with “mission accomplished”.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:37 pm#39
Clinton: Clearly the best Repubplican president since Eisenhower, and the wingers thought Eisenhower was a commie.
October 13th, 2005 at 8:38 pmDoes welfare for the rich make bush a corporate commie?
Does a photo-op with Halliburton employees make him jane fonda – because surely they’re the enemy of american taxes!
October 13th, 2005 at 9:00 pmIN THE BUNKER TONIGHT
THE LATEST POLL numbers are in [story]. The way this White House responds, you would think Eva Braun just told Hitler the war could still be won on May 1, 1945. May Godwin strike me dead, an odor from
October 13th, 2005 at 10:38 pmI wish I had 10 minutes with this coward.
October 13th, 2005 at 11:06 pmBush is clearly a viciously immoral swine of the worst kind (apologies to moral pigs everywhere. And yet, millions of morons in our country still think he’s swell.
October 13th, 2005 at 11:11 pmGeeeez….How stupid do these people think we are? It’s becoming more and more apparent that ‘Bush’s Brain’ is elsewhere; and Scott McClellan can’t hold a candle to Herr Goebbels. These guys make Michael Brown look like George Marshall.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:32 amI can’t help wondering who the heck had the bright (or devious?) idea of taping the ‘dress rehearsal’ AND letting the tape find its way into the hands of the press corps. NONE of this would have been allowed to happen if Karl Rove hadn’t been spending the whole day working on getting his story straight for tomorrow’s grilling.
October 14th, 2005 at 1:48 amOh yeah, ’support the troops’ by continuing to use them for your own designs’. Typical George W. Bush scripted bullshit. He should be ashamed, but then again, the man has no shame!
October 14th, 2005 at 12:33 pmI’m sick and tired of the blatant attempts of this administration to convince the American people that a lie is the truth. I have eyes and I have ears and they work just fine, thank you. Bush and company, STOP SLAPPING MY FACE AND INSULTING MY INTELLIGENCE. Your pathetic attempts at spin doctoring DON’T WORK!!
October 14th, 2005 at 1:39 pmThis preposterous bit of media manipulation by the administration should be placed next to the heroic image of Bush with his megaphone on the pile of 9/11 rubble, defiantly declaring, “Pretty soon they’ll all hear us.”
Was myth-mating moment also staged? Who initially shouted out “We can’t hear you!” to the president, eliciting his quick-witted response? Was it a plant? Probably… for how could we imagine this president capable of a quick, off-the-cuff retort?
Its sick and disheartening… especially when one considers that Bush was largely elected on his perceived “strength”, a notion that was largely forged by that image of him on the rubble with his megaphone.
October 14th, 2005 at 2:42 pmw4ta, knowing something is going to happen, having advanced plans to increase your photo op’s and lies is what this administration does. That and totaly dismanteling all our safety net’s, finacial and enviromental concerns. Keeping our eyes and ears full of fear tactics while they empty our pockets,cut, drill and kill all they can. The entire bunch of them is dedicated to power and wealth.We are their worker bees and they do not care if we are enslaved, infact that is their hope. They are the polluters and are in bed with all the bad guys that support both sides of this war against Iraq and the american people. N.O. was a good example. Believe their plan is to put in more oil refineries, pipe lines and large condos for the rich. This is the worst pres. and administration I have see….Blessings
October 14th, 2005 at 3:20 pmSharon,
Agreed. I am not surprised by either photo-op, the 9/11 rubble or the dialouge with the soldiers. In fact, I believe we were just very lucky to obtain the footage of the soldiers being prepped. How many times have we not seen the prep, the staging, the scripting?
I believe the media should shove this down our throats… and juxtapose the soldier fiasco with some of the better-played Bush photo-ops (the megaphone “… soon they’ll all hear us!” statement) and force us to question the validity of what we’re seeing.
October 14th, 2005 at 4:56 pm… Re. #46 : That summed it up nicely for me , afterthought ! The neoconners are ALWAYS yelping about being ‘ attacked ‘ , but the majority of spewage comes from the ‘ right ‘ side of the car seat ! Don’t make the American people pull this car over , neocons – you WILL get your bottoms smacked ! Just like Rove , & Delay , & Frist , & Libby , & Abramoff , & Brown – Oh , I could go on ( & on , & on ) ! … ;)
October 14th, 2005 at 6:30 pmWake up EVERYONE, smash your TV’s and get on the streets, NO MORE OF THIS ‘ SCRIPTED ‘ BS. No more Innocent killings , NO MORE , NO MORE , NO MORE. And even after this someone says that he/she agrees with the president(idiot),, then i dunno what to say…. there are no word in the dictionary for such messed up, screwed up, insane, delusional people. Sorry people.
October 14th, 2005 at 10:54 pmMY OPINION IS THAT NO GOOD WILL EVER ARRISE FROM AN ADMINISTRATION LEAD BY LIARS AND THIEVES…MFM
October 15th, 2005 at 7:06 pm40% Of Americans still support Bush.Are you finaly
October 19th, 2005 at 6:02 pmready to admit the Unesco and OECD studies that show
America to be at the bottom end of litteracy in the
developed world are dead right.Bush is the price you pay for the outrageous high school drop out rate.
This is the drawback to telling losers they are winners.
Comment by Brian — October 13, 2005 @ 1:23 pm
This is tha motto of tha Democrizzles Party, isnt it? Tell’n killa they is winna? Or is it bizzoth parties? Democracy sucks . Death row 187 4 life. Even whiznen it isnt fo’ sheezy.
October 31st, 2005 at 2:43 pm#
40% Of Americans still support Bush.Are you finaly
ready to admit the Unesco and OECD studies that show
America to be at the bottom end of litteracy in the
developed world are dead right.Bush is the price you pay for the outrageous high school drop out rate.
Comment by ciccio — October 19, 2005 @ 6:02 pm
Crazy thing is you hizzy no betta choice, coz you foo` yoself into believ’n that one side aint corrupt. Choose yo poison. Poser or sweet so you betta run and grab yo glock.
October 31st, 2005 at 2:49 pm[...] So, by Mr. Bush’s logic, there are no people in New Orleans paying a heavy price for terrorism, ie. looting, gangs, it is a virtual war zone there. Also by his logic, no one is dying in New Orleans. The total number of dead in New Orleans, as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita and the resulting chaos is 864. How disrespectful can you be to the families that had loved ones that perished in these storms? Tossing them aside as if their deaths don’t matter? They do. » http://thinkprogress.org/(article) [...]
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