Free Republic

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/ct20050919.shtml Media misleads with Katrina message Cal Thomas September 19, 2005 It was a perfect moment for the media to use President Bush's speech from New Orleans against him. ABC correspondent Dean Reynolds corralled about 10 evacuees and put them in chairs in the parking lot of Houston's Astrodome where they watched the president's nationally televised address. Afterward, they were asked to comment. All of the evacuees were black and apparently poor. Given the template of news coverage - a majority of blacks are said to believe aid was slow in coming because white people like George Bush don't like...

As some may have recognized in my last column, by my use of the words “disgusted, ”unburdened by principle,” “Big Government,” and “tartar sauce,” I was not very pleased with President Bush’s address to the Nation regarding the coming long-term response to Hurricane Katrina’s aftermath. My disappointment focuses around several distinct points. Primary among these is that I have had about all I can afford of “compassionate conservatism.” Unnecessary deficit spending is neither conservative nor compassionate, and if someone discovers the budgetary difference between a compassionate conservative and a bleeding heart liberal, please, let me know. So far, my best...

(snip) In Jackson Square, Bush found his voice for the first time since the levees broke. He described the people he had seen on the ground and the recovery work that had already been done. He promised to rebuild the Gulf Coast and re-engineer New Orleans, and added -- wisely, in view of Louisiana's heritage of corruption -- that inspectors general would oversee the spending. But despite the Great Society tone of his speech, he did not promise another Great Society. He proposed instead a Gulf Opportunity Zone -- presumably, a tax-free status to encourage investment. He called for Worker...

Instead of "he said, she said," today's column concerns "They said, you said, I said." "They" are the hardy souls rounded up by ABC News to listen to President Bush's speech to the nation Thursday night. I happened to tape the event and was so astonished by it that I made a transcript. What they said illuminates what you said in response to what I said -- or what you think I said -- last Monday. Reporter Dean Reynolds found a dozen people -- all African-Americans -- who'd been evacuated from the flooded streets of New Orleans, sat with them...

As the petty carping from Senators Reid and Kerry indicates, President Bush’s speech from Jackson Square was a success. Again, he accepted responsibility for the torpid response of federal authorities. He showed empathy for the victims and recognition the poor had borne the brunt of the New Orleans disaster. He came prepared with a credible agenda of action. And the biblical allusions fit well with Southern and religious folks, black and white. Not a great speech, but Gersen did the job, put the President out front and center as Big Boss in the rebuilding of New Orleans. Also, New Orleans...

I didn't find much in President Bush's Katrina speech that surprised me. His recovery plan carries the characteristic stamp of this administration. The difference between conservative compassion and liberal compassion is not the size of government, but how the money is spent. With massive government programs a given, I certainly opt for the president's preference for tax credits rather than federal grants and management. I also appreciate what appears to be a voucher-like program for displaced children to attend the school of their choice. But, I was very disappointed with the president's rhetoric about race. Permitting himself to give credence...

September 18, 2005--Thirty-five percent (35%) of Americans now say that President Bush has done a good or excellent job responding to Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. That's down from 39% before his speech from New Orleans. The latest Rasmussen Reports survey shows that 41% give the President poor marks for handling the crisis, that's up 37% before the speech. Fifty percent (50%) of Americans favor the main proposal from that speech--a federal commitment of $200 billion to help rebuild New Orleans. Twenty-seven percent (27%) are opposed and 23% are not sure. The spending plan has not been well received by...

Mr. Bush's plan: Words & deeds ... Sunday, September 18, 2005 President Bush did what he had to do Thursday night in New Orleans. He offered soothing words, showed leadership by falling on the homeland defense sword and offered an ambitious plan to help rebuild the Gulf Coast. And while we might quibble with some of the details, we applaud the president. The federal government will take the lead in rebuilding hurricane-devastated public infrastructure -- roads, bridges, schools and water and sewage systems. And we are heartened by Mr. Bush's fealty to strict oversight to combat fraud. Laudable, too, is...

A lot of liberal bloggers are commenting on this picture. Apparently Bush didn’t button the top button of his shirt in the correct position. Is it just me or is it a bit hypocritical for Democrats to be commenting on people’s clothes after this:

Many organizations in the MSM have tried to label Bush as a lame duck because of the Hurrican Katrina situation. Did anyone notice that the DOW went up 80+ points after the day of his speech? Business operators are enthused at the state of the economy and this will only attract more foreign investment. The rebuilding after Hurricane Katrina can only be a success. The true test will be on October 15th, the biggest day of the New World Order history. If Iraq is successful in passing the Constitution foreign investment into the U.S. will sky rocket, especially if rebuilding...

ABC is really "piised off" that the Katrina Victims in the Astrodome have good words and feelings for Bush and NOT for Blanco and Nagin. See the video... http://thepoliticalteen.net/2005/09/16/abcbias/

"On Thursday night President Bush spoke to the nation from my city. I am not a Republican. I did not vote for George W. Bush -- in fact, I worked pretty hard against him in 2000 and 2004. But on Thursday night, after watching him speak from the heart, I could not have been prouder of the president and the plan he outlined to empower those who lost everything and to rebuild the Gulf Coast."

Presidential address:FNC: 3,959,000 (9:02 to 9:25pm) CNN: 2,261,000 (9:00 to 9:24pm) MSNBC: 614,000 (9:00 to 9:25pm) Peaks: FNC: 4,021,000 (9:15 to 9:30pm) CNN: 2,414,000 (9:15 to 9:30pm) MSNBC: 1,028,000 (9:30 to 9:45pm) 9pm hour: (P2+ / 25-54) FNC: 3,688,000 / 1,115,000 CNN: 1,977,000 / 624,000 MSNBC: 798,000 / 356,000

ABC Bush speech booth audio (wifi hack) ABC Bush speech booth audio (wifi hack)Original video (WMV format, 1.8Meg) What ABC Reporter Reynolds heard in his ear during the broadcast: Reynolds: "I'd like to get the reaction of Connie London who spent several horrible hours at the Superdome. You heard the president say repeatedly that you are not alone, that the country stands beside you. Do you believe him?" Connie London: "Yeah, I believe him, because here in Texas, they have truly been good to us. I mean-" (ABC Booth producer #1) CUT ! (ABC Booth producer #2) CUT ?...

Date: Fri, 16 Sep 2005 21:09:06 -0700 (PDT) "You talk about a major big media backfire, folks, this is it," said radio talk host Rush Limbaugh during his show Friday. Dean Reynolds, in the parking lot of Houston's Astrodome, speaking with black evacuees from New Orleans... The full transcription of Reynolds' interviews follows: [bracketed "subtext" commentary by AmericanArchConservative - in behalf of reporter Dean Reynolds...] "I'd like to get the reaction of Connie London who spent several horrible hours at the Superdome. You heard the president say repeatedly that you are not alone, that the country stands beside you. Do...

I searched for the words: "Bush speech text address transcript" individually and in various combinations. But I cannot find the actual text of his speech. I'm sure it must be here on FR. Can anyone direct me to it? Thanks.

I Will Rebuild With You, Mr. President By Donna Brazile On Thursday night President Bush spoke to the nation from my city. I am not a Republican. I did not vote for George W. Bush -- in fact, I worked pretty hard against him in 2000 and 2004. But on Thursday night, after watching him speak from the heart, I could not have been prouder of the president and the plan he outlined to empower those who lost everything and to rebuild the Gulf Coast... I know, maybe better than anyone, that there are times when it seems that our...

What media bias? This media bias … Right after President Bush’s address to the nation last night, ABC reporter Dean Reynolds went out interviewing Katrina victims. He asked Bush-bashing baiting questions, however the woman he interviewed didn’t bite on to it. Note: Around the 17 second mark you can tell Reynolds cut her off to ask her another question because he was unhappy with the result. DOWNLOAD and view video here. >>> http://thepoliticalteen.com/video/abcrey.wmv

RUSH: Let's go to the audio sound bites. Here's President Bush last night from New Orleans. BUSH: I also offer this pledge of the American people: Throughout the area hit by the hurricane, we will do what it takes. We will stay as long as it takes to help citizens rebuild their communities and their lives. And all who question the future of the Crescent City need to know: There is no way to imagine America without New Orleans, and this great city will rise again. RUSH: So let's go now to the Astrodome in Houston, where lying in...

Reporter apparently sought critical remarks after speechAn ABC News reporter who apparently expected hurricane evacuees to criticize the president after his speech last night, instead heard words of praise for Bush and blame for local officials. Dean Reynolds, in the parking lot of Houston's Astrodome, spoke with black evacuees from New Orleans, but "not one of the six people interviewed on camera had a bad word for Bush – despite Reynolds' best efforts," said the Media Research Center in a report on the segment. "You talk about a major big media backfire, folks, this is it," commented radio talk host...

ABC News producers probably didn't hear what they expected when they sent Dean Reynolds to the Houston Astrodome's parking lot to get reaction to President Bush's speech from black evacuees from New Orleans. Instead of denouncing Bush and blaming him for their plight, they praised Bush and blamed local officials. Reynolds asked Connie London: "Did you harbor any anger toward the President because of the slow federal response?" She rejected the premise: "No, none whatsoever, because I feel like our city and our state government should have been there before the federal government was called in." She pointed out: "They...

Brent Baker's blogTo ABC's Surprise, Katrina Victims Praise Bush and Blame NaginPosted by Brent Baker on September 16, 2005 - 00:50. ABC News producers probably didn't hear what they expected when they sent Dean Reynolds to the Houston Astrodome's parking lot to get reaction to President Bush's speech from black evacuees from New Orleans. Instead of denouncing Bush and blaming him for their plight, they praised Bush and blamed local officials. Reynolds asked Connie London: "Did you harbor any anger toward the President because of the slow federal response?" She rejected the premise: "No, none whatsoever, because I feel...

After President Bush's speech an ABC new correspondant interviewed a few of those that are displaced by the hurricane. It was a priceless moment. A middle age Black woman was asked if she was angry at President Bush because of the slow response of the federal goverment. She hit the nail on the head with her reply. She stated that she was not angry at Bush, but that she was angry at Nagin and Blaco for their lack of response. She also wanted to know why they didn't use the school buses to evacuate the city. The correspondant then tried...

The White House was under pressure from its supporters last night to come up with a price tag for rebuilding New Orleans after President George W Bush promised "one of the largest reconstruction efforts the world has ever seen". In a prime-time address to the nation delivered live from the centre of the flood-ravaged city, Mr Bush sketched out one of America's largest ever federal spending programmes. The sweeping scale of his proposals has more in common with the traditions of the Democrats than his Republican Party and could transform the legislative priorities and possibilities of his second term. "We...

FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2005 Bush's strong message: 'Not just survive, but thrive' A day of good news in New Orleans was topped off Thursday night by a presidential address from the historic city, where George Bush outlined a plan to carry out what he said is America's aim for the entire, devastated Gulf Coast: "Not just to survive but to thrive, not just to cope but to overcome." His strong message also acknowledged mistakes made during the horrific days following Hurricane Katrina and pledged an immediate review of the emergency plans of every major city in America. Earlier in the...

RUSH: I want to warn you, some of you people out there are loaded for bear. I've been reading the e-mail today, and I just want to warn you, I'm in a fabulous mood today. I'm in a good mood, so don't expect me to be fit to be tied and angry and all that sort of stuff. I understand a lot of you are. A lot of you think, "Well, whatever, what's the difference now between conservatives and liberals, Rush? I mean big spending, big spending, what the hell, it's over with." I mean, I've just got reams of...

<p>Hurricane Katrina evacuees living in El Paso were pleased to hear President Bush pledge to rebuild New Orleans in his address to the nation Thursday night.</p> <p>But some evacuees are as upset with Bush now as they were two weeks ago after the hurricane devasted New Orleans and parts of Alabama and Mississippi.</p>

A high-level muckety-muck writes, in partial answer to my column today worrying that the president's speech will alienate conservatives while not converting liberals to his cause: Most conservatives praised the President's speech last night, though there are some who worry that we are embarking on a "new Great Society." In my estimation this concern is ill-founded. Here's why. No one wants to spend billions of dollars if it can be avoided. Yet we face a situation in which the Gulf Coast region was hit by the worst natural disaster in American history. There is no alternative but to spend billions...

President Bush says the federal government must cut spending to pay for Gulf Coast relief; rules out tax

President Bush said three things last night that desperately needed to be said. He forthrightly acknowledged his responsibility for the egregious mishandling of the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. He spoke clearly and candidly about race and poverty. And finally, he was clear about what would be needed to bring back the Gulf Coast and said the federal government would have to lead and pay for that effort. Once again, as he did after 9/11, Mr. Bush has responded to disaster with disconcerting uncertainty, then risen to the occasion later. Once again, he has delivered a speech that will reassure many...

A Good Speech by a Good Man September 15, 2005 06:45 PM PST Perfect pitch returned tonight, and the president's looks backward and forward were on target. As Chris Matthews observed, it sounded a little LBJ/FDR-like in its vows about the underclass of the recovery region, but that is exactly why it worked so well: That is what needs to happen, and he identified the best approaches in the empowerment of entrepeneurs and the retraining of the evacuees. The enterprise zone could prove a turbo charged motor to the effort, and the promise of innovation was well delivered. So too...

President George W Bush has promised the US government will do and spend whatever it takes to rebuild the hurricane-hit Gulf Coast. Speaking from New Orleans, Mr Bush said billions of dollars would be spent on the reconstruction - "an unprecedented response to an unprecedented crisis". New Orleans' mayor said three districts would re-open next week, and the historic French Quarter a week later. Meanwhile the confirmed death toll from Hurricane Katrina rose to 792. The president's prime-time speech from the French Quarter came on his fourth trip to the region since Katrina smashed communities across the Gulf Coast over...