Posted on 06/05/2004 3:46:11 PM PDT by Archangelsk
C-SPAN missed the full statement. Anyone have a copy?
I'm watching Bush Sr talking, it's night and day. It's close, it's personal. I know it should be moreso than W, but the contrast is striking.
You want a transcript, not the video. President Bush could not have done a worse job, it was stiff, poorly read, lacking emotion, and he looked stunned and frozen. Deer in the headlights, indeed. A stunning contrast to President Reagan, President Bush came across as tiny and ineffective. Pray that the media doesn't play this clip over and over, its the kind of moment that can doom a campaign, an oratory 'Dukakis in a tank'.
He better step up to the plate for the televised funeral. Where the heck were his advisors, why did no one have him at least practice this to make sure it would go off ok? No exaggeration, the delivery was horrible. Is Rove MIA?
I take no joy in noting this, President Bush is a good man, a good leader, and must win in November. But this is the kind of gaffe that cement media myths and sink campaigns. Hopefully nobody saw it.
I thought his remarks were heart-felt and sincere.
President HW Bush is speaking now.
I'm thankful that so far we've not had to suffer hearing the lip-biting ex-42.
President Bush could have waited till tomorrow since it is so late and he goes to sleep early but he wanted to do it asap. Another class act.
Shame on you. I wonder how eloquent you would be if you had kept the schedule President Bush has kept in the past few days.
I can see cnn funeral coverage.
"That was Mr. Bush's eulogy of Ronald Reagan. We go to Vice President Gore for an opposing view."
PS Let's make all tag lines be Reagan quotes!
He has to get the cameras together and everything, so nobody should be surprised the audio quality wasn't the best.
It was a good statement and from the heart.
It rocked.
This was a last minute change.
He was originally going to just release a written statement.
Give the main a friggin' break.
Geez give the man a break.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/
*All speeches and official statements are posted on this link.
Of course he is in a difficult situation, but there are times when one must rise to the occasion. Normally he does. But this time it bombed. Normally he is not required to be a skilled orator, the rightness of the cause, his positions, and his integrity and determination is enough. But this is the death of Ronald Reagan, where so much is wrapped up in the nostalgia and recollection of how he made us feel good, the twinkle in the eye. The contrast could not have been greater.
Sorry, but this is politics, there is a campaign going on, and there are instances (that we do not choose but rather arise without warning) where we are often defined, fairly or unfairly, by how we react. This has the potential of being one of those moments, and is no time for gaffes. Believe me, I wish it were not so, but this was a poor performance that carries risks. His advisors better make sure that he is prepared for the spotlight of the funeral. It has the potential to go a long way in determining this election, whether you or I like it or not. Rove is not there to be a cheerleader.
You take great joy in this.
So are you going to jump on every thread and bemoan that the Republicans don't jump into campaign moan a la Paul Wellstone when Mr. Reagan died?
I saw it, and I don't know what you're talking about.
Here's a link to the statement (thread):
Text From Bush speech on Reagan.
This is a sad hour in the life of America. A great American life has come to an end.
I have just spoken to Nancy Reagan. On behalf of our whole nation, Laura and I offered her and the Reagan family our prayers and our condolences.
Ronald Reagan won America's respect with his greatness, and won its love with his goodness. He had the confidence that comes with conviction, the strength that comes with character, the grace that comes with humility, and the humor that comes with wisdom.
He leaves behind a nation he restored and a world he helped save.
During the years of President Reagan, America laid to rest an era of division and self-doubt. And because of his leadership, the world laid to rest an era of fear and tyranny.
Now, in laying our leader to rest, we say thank you.
He always told us that for America, the best was yet to come. We comfort ourselves in the knowledge that this is true for him, too. His work is done. And now a shining city awaits him.
May God bless Ronald Reagan.
He did step up to the plate as he has done countless times before. He'll continue to do so.
BS - this is a real man responding to the death of a man he greatly admired.
If you want politics, go to the Wellstone funerally.
I repeat, shame on you.
Fox News just said that President Bush was in bed when he was told of Reagan's death. He insisted on getting up, putting on a suit and going before the cameras to show respect for the President he most admires.
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