No questions:
By on Dec 6th, 2005 at 2:55 pm
No questions:
“In a sharp break with the [Council on Foreign Relation's] own traditions, Bush is being allowed to speak — for 50 minutes — then leave without taking any questions. ‘Obviously, we strongly suggested — certainly made the case — that it would be in the interest of the president and in the interest of our membership that the president take questions,’ council vice president for communications Lisa Shields told me this morning. ‘But true to his format, they declined.‘”
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Like Bush could answer an off the cuff question from somebody that isn’t a staunch supporter of these morons.
December 6th, 2005 at 2:58 pmObviously, the CFR thinks letting him speak will be like lancing a boil — a painless opportunity to let the diseaseed fluid drain out.
The CFR has no use for Dubya. They’re still rooting for his old man to win this Oedipal conflict.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:07 pmI really think that the president needs to understand that the public is not going to stand for his “I’m right/You’re wrong if you disagree” attitude much longer. He needs to follow the Lincoln model and start surrounding himself with people who disagree with him if he wants to understand why his “message” is not getting through, not matter how many times he repeats it virtually verbatim.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:08 pmEverything Bush touches turns to SH*T.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:08 pmHere’s my question:
“Mr President, do you beleive that completing the Palestine–Israel wall and moving the capital of Israel to Jerusalem will bring the Second Coming closer and if so, do you think that these two goals should then be part of US foreign policy?”
Damn, he’s gone again.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:11 pm“Everything Bush touches turns to SH*T.”
Then what does the sh!t turn to when he touches it? Because you know he does.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:11 pmHere’s a question for all of you to respond (if you know):
Haw GW II ever had an speech with questions before an unscreened crowd? Honestly–has he ever in his presidency entertained a Q&A with everyday folk? I cannot remember him ever doing this early on, and God knows they wouldn’t have let him do this after 2003…
anyone know?
December 6th, 2005 at 3:16 pmThis is one more example of the spoon fed public who I’m sure is just happy as a collective clam about the govt. This is the Administration’s plan; say anything they want, accept no questions or descent and say were just trying to do our jobs. Please oh please let everyone you know to just vote ABR, anything but republican.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:24 pmThey are setting themselves up for the biggest turn of the tables possible and when the next administration comes in they’ll just thumb their noses at the GOP for their thug tactics. Cheney can present W with as much nobility as possible with the military and the grey haired Fox watchers but they have to be held accountable or at the very least accesible. Campaign for Accountability in Govt. Simple bumper sticker. Also we have got to switch voting days to Saturday, this would be the kiss of death for the GOP . More ideas please.
Bush won’t be speaking for 50 minutes, he’ll be reading and moving his lips for 50 minutes.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:27 pmThey should have refused his opportunity to speak unless he agreed to play by their well-established rules.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:31 pm#4 that’s known as the King Midas touch in reverse..and king Shrub definately has it
December 6th, 2005 at 3:31 pmBy allowing him to Speak and Dash, they are approving of his arrogance.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:35 pmBetter to be thought a fool…
Get the point! To answer these questions would be far too difficult for someone of his limited intelligence!
ANYTHING that could be put on record would have been met with an off-hand remark that does not address the question originally asked anyway…
So WHY prolong the torture?
December 6th, 2005 at 3:39 pmdamn, I jsut lost a nice long post…I have too much work to do to rewrite the whole thing…but the jist of it:
Bush is speaking to CFR to provide a new backdrop after being critized for his highly military audiences
This “dignified crowd” will still listen to what he says and accept at face value like the millitary
The 4 part lecture series just refers to the audience, not the substance, he will speak the same message to different audiences (all of which screened/subdued/dignified) so he can show how popular he is …. just like BOR setting up Alito to fight the War on Christmas, Bush is setting this up to APPEAR to have wider acceptence
December 6th, 2005 at 3:47 pmExcellent question, punchy. Our pres doesn’t believe he has to answer to anybody. He’ll ‘converse’ as long as it’s off the record and confidential. Otherwise, “prescreened questions only so I can formulate an answer”.
December 6th, 2005 at 3:48 pmThe pres has lived a secluded life equal to that of royality…he never dealt with the public before (except maybe around New Haven’s Yale campus) and will not start now that he represents all of the country’s citizens
December 6th, 2005 at 3:50 pmhttp://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.glpetittsings.com/graphics/scrooge.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.lopforums.com/showthread.php%3Ft%3D225%26page%3D14%26pp%3D50&h=435&w=388&sz=16&tbnid=56qpJn5JfYkJ:&tbnh=122&tbnw=109&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dscrooge%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D&oi=imagesr&start=1
December 6th, 2005 at 4:03 pmThere probably wasn’t enough time to get his “backpack.” This President certainly brings new meaning to statesman.
December 6th, 2005 at 4:20 pmThis WAS part of the Above story Second page;;;
“QUESTIONER: And two, would you state, as part of the administration, unequivocally tonight that the CIA and its surrogates, in whatever form they are, do not torture any place in the world?”
Gonzales’s reply, in its entirety: “The president speaks for the administration. We all work for the president of the United States, including the vice president of the United States and including every member of the CIA.”
December 6th, 2005 at 4:22 pm~~
the kind of Judge every Neo-kook needs…wonder if it comes in pocketsized? -Aj
I saw that too AJ, but when I see anyone from this admin answer a question that type of response is so typical that I am no longer surprised or even notice
December 6th, 2005 at 4:26 pmTaco Loco,
December 6th, 2005 at 4:27 pmGood points in #10,12. Those institutions that allow the talk and dash are just pawns for the king. No Q&A, No talk should be the norm, this man is an elected offical not f*ing royalty. Chimpus speaks only to uniformed audiences any more, how much dissent there? I’d like to see him go before a college crowd like Cheney did last month and take a good heckling from the crowd. This man is out of touch with life, middle class, America. He’ll have a quite non-existence after he leaves office. No public service like Carter or Clinton for this sh*thead.
Bush cannot speak without a script — hell, he can’t even speak with a script! He can’t answer questions because he doesn’t have facts at his recall. His slogan filled sentences, irrelevant and trite phrases, coupled with his junior high school vocabulary are embarrassing — and his handlers know it, if he doesn’t.
December 6th, 2005 at 4:30 pmMr President, how can I get more people to vote for you?
Mr President, your campaign has the momentum of a runaway freight train. Why are you so popular?
Mr President, I don’t have a question, I have three thank-you’s.
December 6th, 2005 at 4:31 pmMarie,
December 6th, 2005 at 4:35 pmi too have a hard time answering serious questions when I go on drinking binges
Our king isolates himself from his subjects.
December 6th, 2005 at 4:38 pmThis is 5 year old news. it has got to sink in to everyone who wants change to look at the mistakes that were made, like putting Gay initiatives on the ballots in 11 states.(This I believe was Karl Rove’s finest single feat). The war in Iraq will be an issue for sure for some time to come, but Domestic policy that is not just driven by the social conservatives has to be a big part of the platform. IE; lowering health care costs, global warming, and rebuilding New Orleans and major energy initiatives, like hybrid/ Hydrogen vehicles.The President is painfully inarticulate, that was a direct quote from Mona Charen, and for all his lackness of reality he has been given a pass , Why? Fear The average age of voters is going up and older people are afraid of losing what they, unfortunately don’t see as entitlements, and are not going to side with anything radical so they can do just like we are doing now suffering for the leadership they voted for. OUT VOTE THEM ABR. Anything but Republican. More ideas please.
December 6th, 2005 at 4:49 pmPunchy,
I do remember when the reporter (John Dickerson, I think) asked the president what mistakes, if any, he has made. We all remember his stammering, stuttering, confused look that ended with, essentially, “I can’t think of any. I wish I knew this question was coming.”
For what appeared, at least, to be an unanticipated question, his answer was very revealing. Not only could he not give a serious answer (or even a joke one like trading Sammy Sosa), he admitted that he was unprepared for anyone to even ask such a question of him. Seriously, and I think he’s on record as saying this, he feels that he doesn’t have to answer to anybody, and that includes the American people or the press on their behalf.
December 6th, 2005 at 5:08 pmThey should dis-invite him.
December 6th, 2005 at 5:17 pm#22, Marie is so right.
Also:
December 6th, 2005 at 5:19 pmTheir lies and corruption have caught up with them.
Soon, no public appearances at all, just t.v.
#24, Chris:
OUCH! That’s funny!
#26 Flyman:
I am SOOO happy to live in Massachusetts! Establish residency and get Married! should be our new motto!
#27 W. Schneider:
December 6th, 2005 at 5:23 pmGood point! Remember the “bulge” on his back?!!? Oh No, he wasn’t being fed answers… ;-)
True Blue, I am currently a resident of MD. and a former resident ot Texas and I have only one motto for us all OUT OF MY BEDROOM AND OUT OF MY WALLET.Well with that being said PR or Propaganda however you like to look at it is the vehicle of choice for the right. So what’s a secular humanist spiritual news junkie to do? Tell my friends, skip the dogma on the right and appeal to peoples wallets. Thanks for the reflections.
December 6th, 2005 at 5:37 pmTrue Blue,
I remember, and I have never quite been satisfied with that “tailoring” explanation. Perhaps if they could duplicate it for the press it might not seem so implausible.
But that would mean questioning his administration’s veracity, and they take to that about as well as Bill O’Reilly does.
December 6th, 2005 at 5:39 pm#24, Chris,
December 6th, 2005 at 5:59 pmI keep hearing rumors that he is meeting Jim Beam after hours these days (he does give the appearance of being more dazed then usual some days), oh, if we could only prove this to be true. I’d hoist a few myself in celebration – maybe even dance on the table too.
I’d hoist a few myself in celebration – maybe even dance on the table too.
Comment by Marie — December 6, 2005 @ 5:59 pm
Careful, Marie, or Joe Sixpack might just show up at your door to watch (and probably make a few suggestions, too. Ya gotta love the guy’s sense of humor, bawdy as it may be.) :)
December 6th, 2005 at 6:05 pmEveryone here has pretty much covered it, ditto I say.
Where are the Rightys?
December 6th, 2005 at 6:13 pmI think we are seeing lower numbers of Right Wing responses here lately because they are all on thier month long vacation now.
December 6th, 2005 at 6:18 pm“His outrageous prediction sends the wrong message to our troops, the enemy and the Iraqi people just 10 days before historic elections,” Mehlman said in a statement. “Democrats across the nation should stand up and reject the pessimism of their chairman.”
Can the United States ‘win’ the war in Iraq?
Yes, within two years 13% 6734 votes
Yes, but a long haul 25% 12516 votes
No 62% 30944 votes
Total: 50194 votes
This QuickVote is not scientific and reflects the opinions of only those Internet users who have chosen to participate. The results cannot be assumed to represent the opinions of Internet users in general, nor the public as a whole. The QuickVote sponsor is not responsible for content, functionality or the opinions expressed therein.
Related:
Dean: U.S. can’t win Iraq war
December 6th, 2005 at 6:29 pmI agree wit da DEAN !
December 6th, 2005 at 6:30 pmIf they don’t ask me no questions I ain’t gonna make to gammatrical errors!
December 6th, 2005 at 6:45 pmMurtha: Waiting for democracy ‘not a plan’
Democratic Congressmen reacts to Bush’s vow to stay in Iraq on Hardball.
I Agree with Murtha.
December 6th, 2005 at 7:40 pmWe are witnessing the reincarnation of Richard Nixon.
December 6th, 2005 at 7:53 pmAsk Bushie a question?
Ha, thats a joke. He couldn’t sum up 2+2 without stuttering, sighing and sweating.
December 6th, 2005 at 8:09 pmDid anyone read “How Bush Created a Theocracy in Iraq” by Truthdig.com? I think I got it form truthout.org. 12/02/05.
December 6th, 2005 at 8:33 pmI found it very explanatory.
Well, crap. With no rightwingers here to help speak up for GeorgieBoy, I guess it is up to me to explain why he won’t take questions.
Correct me if I’m wrong, but here are a few of his recent statements:
“As a matter of fact, I know relations between our governments is good.” W on US/South Korean relations, Nov. 8, 2005
“Wow! Brazil is big!” W on being shown a map of Brazil by Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, Nov. 6, 2005.
“Brownie, you’re doing a heck-of-a job.” W to FEMA Director Brown 10 days before Brown resigned.
“It’s totally wiped out….It’s devastating. It’s got to be doubly devasting on the ground.” W to his aides on Hurricane Katrina from Airforce One, Aug 31, 2005.
“I was going to say he’s a piece of work, but that might not translate too well. Is that all right, if I call you ‘a piece of work?’” W to Jean Claude Juncker, Priminister of Luxembourg, June 20, 2005.
“You see, in my kind of work you gotta keep repeating things over and over and over again for the truth to sink in, to kind of catapult the propaganda.” W in Greece, NY, May 24, 2005.
I mean, I think the truth is starting to sink in and if he was to try and answer any questions, the propaganda would catapult for sure.
December 6th, 2005 at 9:17 pmWow…there otta’ be some terrific fodder for DubyaSpeaks if he’s gonna’ ramble on for 50 minutes!!! Has anyone noticed that the “slogan banners” and props he is surrounded with at every speech might be there because he can’t remember what the hell the topic-o’-the-day is??? Victory in Iraq…Victory in Iraq…Victory in Iraq and so on and so on. Doesn’t much matter what words come out of his mouth, his speeches AND his “answers” are ALWAYS recycled. “If it’s Wednesday, it must be Speech (Answer) #7, etc. What a complete waste of 50 minutes…sure glad I don’t have to sit through it!
December 6th, 2005 at 9:56 pm“Wow! Brazil is big!â€
December 6th, 2005 at 10:53 pmJoe, I laughed all day when I heard that one!
Bush just used CFR, and Haas let him use them. Bush was in need of an different audience because the military base speech has become a joke, and going to American Enterprise Institute, Bush’s war closet, would not come across as legitimate (that’s where Cheney goes to sell propaganda). Therefore, might as well corrupt the Council on Foreign Relations – and having Richard Haas there made it even easier. Not only have all these “think tanks” become a joke, but it turns out, they have all been wrong about everything, from foreign relations, to the economy, to the war in Iraq – wrong, wrong, wrong. It’s all become a farce.
December 7th, 2005 at 7:57 pm