Posted on 11/04/2004 1:26:13 PM PST by Uncledave
Is it my gloaty enthusiasm, or does Bush now speak to the press with more - what's the word - I'll say "confidence" but it's more than that.
Perhaps winning with such a Mandate and seeing the MSM crushed has just made him feel more loose and consequently eloquent
Below is how he consicely took one question on the Mid East (full transcipt at above link). I believe this is a sign of his communications style and confidence to come...
******************
Q Thank you, Mr. President. On foreign policy, more broadly, do you believe that America has an image problem in the world right now, because of your efforts and response to the 9/11 attacks? And, as you talked down the stretch about building alliances, talk about what you'll do to build on those alliances and to deal with these image problems, particularly in the Islamic world.
THE PRESIDENT: I appreciate that. Listen, I've made some very hard decisions: decisions to protect ourselves, decisions to spread peace and freedom. And I understand in certain capitals and certain countries, those decisions were not popular.
You know, you said -- you asked me to put that in the context of the response on September the 11th. The first response, of course, was chasing down the terror networks, which we will continue to do. And we've got great response around the world in order to do that. There's over 90 nations involved with sharing information, finding terrorists and bringing them to justice. That is a broad coalition, and we'll continue to strengthen it.
I laid out a doctrine, David, that said if you harbor terrorists, you're equally as guilty as the terrorists, and that doctrine was ignored by the Taliban, and we removed the Taliban. And I fully understand some people didn't agree with that decision. But I believe that when the American President speaks, he'd better mean what he says in order to keep the world peaceful. And I believe we have a solemn duty, whether or not people agree with it or not, to protect the American people. And the Taliban and their harboring of al Qaeda represented a direct threat to the American people.
And, of course, then the Iraq issue is one that people disagreed with. And there's no need to rehash my case, but I did so, I made the decision I made, in order to protect our country, first and foremost. I will continue to do that as the President. But as I do so, I will reach out to others and explain why I make the decisions I make.
There is a certain attitude in the world, by some, that says that it's a waste of time to try to promote free societies in parts of the world. I've heard that criticism. Remember, I went to London to talk about our vision of spreading freedom throughout the greater Middle East. And I fully understand that that might rankle some, and be viewed by some as folly. I just strongly disagree with those who do not see the wisdom of trying to promote free societies around the world.
If we are interested in protecting our country for the long-term, the best way to do so is to promote freedom and democracy. And I -- I simply do not agree with those who either say overtly or believe that certain societies cannot be free. It's just not a part of my thinking. And that's why during the course of the campaign, I was -- I believe I was able to connect, at least with those who were there, in explaining my policy, when I talked about the free election in Afghanistan.
There were -- there was doubt about whether or not those elections would go forward. I'm not suggesting any of you here expressed skepticism. But there was. There was deep skepticism, and -- because there is a attitude among some that certain people may never be free -- they just don't long to be free or incapable of running an election. And I disagree with that. And the Afghan people, by going to the polls in the millions, proved -- proved that this administration's faith in freedom to change peoples' habits is worthy. And that will be a central part of my foreign policy. And I've got work to do to explain to people about why that is a central part of our foreign policy. I've been doing that for four years.
But if you do not believe people can be free and can self-govern, then all of a sudden the two-state solution in the Middle East becomes a moot point, invalid. If you're willing to condemn a group of people to a system of government that hasn't worked, then you'll never be able to achieve the peace. You cannot lead this world and our country to a better tomorrow unless you see a better -- if you have a vision of a better tomorrow. And I've got one, based upon a great faith that people do want to be free and live in democracy.
The metro-sexuals in the press sounded like the morons they are.
Confident and relaxed says it all. :-)
Amen.
ME TOO...I love President Bush...he's so Texas...a really straight shooter. ;o) He tells them what he's goin' do...they'd better be prepared...he goin' do it. YES!!! ;o)
President Bush deserves admiration for never whining, never responding in kind and never giving up his position in response to these assaults. Instead he believed in the American people. He must be inspired, his ideas and beliefs were clearly validated.
Well, Ronnie Junior is still calling him MR. Bush.
Yep! He fired me up. God Bless you Mr. Presiedent.
GWB was outstanding today.
I think the reason he sometimes underperforms is when he is tired, distracted by more important matters, or just doesn't have time to prepare. Today he was rested and ready to rumble.
I really loved Reagan, but I think Bush will eclipse him, and I think Reagan would approve. Bush is on the cusp of being one of the all time great presidents.
Yes, I noticed that too. It also seemed to me that he was showing contempt towards the news media, by the way he was treating some journalists. It is about the time that they be punished for all those phony stories and for pushing Kerry down our throats.
BTTT
I think GWB is taking the gloves off now. He doesn't have to tolerate the abuse he's received from the press anymore and I'm looking forward to seeing more press conferences like this one.
I think he's been trying so hard all year not to say anything that can be used against him in the election that he has sounded a lot less polished. Ever since the Russert interview and that presser 5-6 months ago, he has begun 'um'ing and 'err'ing a lot, and having a hard time expressing himself. It wasn't that way a year ago. Today, he's back to his pre-2004 self. A bad quote now might cost him a bad headline, but not an election.
The only mistake with the Press Conference was that is was not in prime time. Then a lot of people would be saying to themselves, "Yeah, I made the right choice!"
He was thinking a George Costanze line, "I've got hand."
I am a lover of history, and often though that it was impossible for people to recognize greatness as it is happening around them. By the time I was old enough to realize the stature of President Reagan, he had already passed from the world stage into the sunset of his life. Growing up in the 90s, my attitude for the world leaders was one of contempt. I feared mediocrities like Clinton would be the gray blurs that dulled the pages of future history books (yes, I know how silly "future history" sounds). I had begun to believe that we would never again know Titans of History, that the Politician had replaced the Leader.
Then something happened. I voted for Bush in 2000, but I was not overly political. The election night (I mean month) awakened something in me. Then 9-11 happened. I witnessed the transformation of President Bush from a Politician to a Leader. Whereas I had respected him, I now revere him. I am fiercely proud that he is the President, and that in the future he will be looked back on as a Hero of the Age.
I know wholeheartedly that history will judge Bush to be a great man. I am exultant that there are many of us in the world who know it already.
That is a wonderful post. Thanks.
An that is what the MSM is so afraid about.
What a wonderful post - thank you.
I watched it on C-SPAN over the weekend.
Where was Helen Thomas? I especially wanted to see her there that day to ask one of her lame questions that everyone seems to laugh at.
If you click here and look for "Pres. Bush Press Conference (11/04/2004)" you'll find the video of it.
It's worth watching again and it's worth saving it for posterity.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.