And in China.
Posted on 08/18/2005 10:51:58 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
If it's August and the press is languishing in Crawford, Texas, it's time for the annual Bush vacation media bash. This means that unless there's a kidnapping or runaway bride story to hold the nation's interest, the media will instead launch into their favorite summer pastime; turning the president's visit home into a four-week sentence of derision and contempt.
The media seem not only offended that the president has the audacity to take a month off but that he persists in doing so in the middle of media nowhere. Unlike Bill Clinton who, until he left office, had no private residence to call home, President Bush dares prefer the dry dust of Texas to the haughty climes of chic, liberal playgrounds.
Beginning with his first year in office, his month-long trek to Crawford has occasioned wrath and scorn from the left and their media wing. Barely six months into his first term, USA Today was already chiding with the headline, "Poll Finds Most Are Put Off By Bush Vacation." The paper immediately tagged him as another lazy cowboy:
Bush's advisers are sensitive to the perception that he doesn't work as hard as some of his predecessors. If Bush returns as scheduled on Labor Day, he'll tie a modern record for presidential absence from the White House -- held by Richard Nixon at 30 days. Ronald Reagan took trips as long as 28 days.
Gratuitous though it was of USA Today to include Nixon and Reagan, there was no mention of President Clinton's frequent soirees which, when covered by the press, often included posed photo-ops of romantic hand-holding or dreamy beach-dancing with his devoted bride and hobnobbing with Hollywood celebrities. No such treatment is accorded Bush in Crawford, as the only thing he brushes up against is brush.
A year later, USA Today returned to its now-favorite subject, this time with "Bush Vacation Plans Draw Heat from Democrat," reporting that "A leading Democrat criticized President Bush on Tuesday for planning to spend a month at his Texas ranch while the stock market plunges and foreign affairs remain volatile."
In 2003, CBS's website registered with a little ditty called "Bush Vacation Is Over," where we learned that "Vacation is over for President Bush, who is back at the White House with a long list of pressing issues awaiting his attention," which of course went on to discuss neglected budget deficits and volatile foreign affairs.
In the August run-up to the '04 election, CBS, in an otherwise even-handed piece, nonetheless couldn't resist citing a DNC press release titled, "George W. Bush: Taking Vacation, Not Responsibility." They dutifully went on to note his total ranch days to date as 254, adding, "The Democratic National Committee loves to needle Mr. Bush about the time spent at his ranch."
And a rollicking 2004 piece by Fred Kaplan in Slate called, "The Out-of-Towner," posited that Bush's 2001 vacation may have been responsible for 9/11. Kaplan explained "how our government let disaster happen" and concluded, "The 9/11 commission has unveiled many critical problems in the FBI and the CIA. But the most critical problem may have been that the president was off duty."
This year's serving of sour ranch dressing takes on historic proportions as the Washington Post headline screams, "Vacationing Bush Poised to Set a Record." And, to clarify his position in the slacker hall of fame alongside you-know-who, the subtitle reads, "With Long Sojourn at Ranch, President on His Way to Surpassing Reagan's Total."
In a rare departure, the Post actually makes reference to Mr. Bush's predecessor: "Bill Clinton, lacking a home of his own, borrowed a house on Martha's Vineyard, except for two years when political adviser Dick Morris nudged him into going to Jackson, Wyoming, before his reelection because it polled better."
What the Post fails to mention, however, is President Clinton's own record-setting performance as the all time globe-trotting president, especially during the time of his impeachment. Clinton's total of foreign trips -- business and pleasure -- nearly eclipsed those of his three predecessors combined, at a cost of untold millions to the American people.
Typical of the media's treatment of Clinton was in 1998 when he jetted off to Africa with 1,302 of his closest friends. He was generally let off the hook for his role in the hideous genocide in Rwanda because, after all, he apologized for slavery, didn't he?
No; media mockery and derision are reserved for him who merely wishes to eschew Beltway bloodsuckers for boots and barbecue. With the Congress and most of D.C. scattered to the winds until fall, those unfortunate enough to be stuck covering the president will continue to bemoan their lot and bewail his sloth.
In truth, what they really despise is having to endure the 100 degree heat, suffer Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld's ill-advised attempts at cowboy-wear, and, worst of all, breathe the insufferable air of red-state America.
Lisa Fabrizio is a columnist who hails from Connecticut. You may write her at mailbox@lisafab.com.
And in China.
I thought the same. How would not using my own air conditioning help the troops? I do things that actually DO help, like sending letters and care packages.
Meanwhile the Senators and Representatives are working their butts off?
It's all about "feelings". Feel what they are feeling and save some heating oil.
We could also rent camels and Hummers I suppose as well.
Maybe we could go to the Army surplus store and wear fatigues to show our solidarity with the troops. A sea of green. Or are we wacky over kahki?
And
It seems like every year since Bush took office whenever he goes on his August vacation, the media dwells on his time away from the White House as if Bush is just sitting on a beach, sipping pina coladas all day and getting a tan, ignoring the problems facing the country.
I remember things being different during the Clinton years... The media seemed to delight itself talking about the Clinton's vacation time, amused over how the President would unwind. It didn't seem to bother anyone that Clinton could not be bothered with national security issues while on the golf course. No one seems to mind that Congress is out of session for August recess either...
The left and the media (am I being redundant?) seem to act as if Bush is completely out of touch with his responsibilities as President and Commander-In-Chief when he is on these so-called "vacations." However, as The Washington Post reports, while on these vacations, "Bush continues to receive daily national security briefings, sign documents, hold teleconferences with aides and military commanders, and even meet with foreign leaders. And from the president's point of view, the long Texas stints are the best way to clear his mind and reconnect with everyday America."
Still, the media loves to focus on how much "vacation" time President Bush takes...
Until now, probably no modern president was a more famous vacationer than Ronald Reagan, who loved spending time at his ranch in Santa Barbara, Calif. According to an Associated Press count, Reagan spent all or part of 335 days in Santa Barbara over his eight-year presidency -- a total that Bush will surpass this month in Crawford with 3 1/2 years left in his second term."The Oval Office is wherever the president of the United States is," said Kenneth M. Duberstein, who was Reagan's last White House chief of staff. "With the communications being what they are, the president can communicate instantly with whomever he wants anywhere in the world."
Whether in the White House, overseas, or at his ranch in Crawford, President Bush is the President and Commander-In-Chief at all times.
But Bush is nice to them.
It may not be a show down at high noon, but a few good-natured shots are fired as President Bush gives the press pool a tour of his ranch at Crawford, Texas, Aug. 25, 2001. White House photo by Moreen Ishikawa.
I sure hope Chelsea outgrew those Lard-legs she got from Hill and Hubb.
Clinton's foreign trips were populated by a myriad of Friends of Bill on the taxpayers' dime. Betty Currie had to go as did many other indicteds, unindicted co-conspirators and hangers on. The bum had no home so the taxpayers treated them. I believe over 1,000 went to Africa and Asia. Isn't he generous?
ST. THOMAS, Virgin Islands (AP) President Clinton moved his winter vacation some 1,200 miles south and established his family and their new dog, Buddy, in a beach house near the emerald waters of the Caribbean. - (02 Jan 1998)
If President Bush stood on a corner and handed out a million dollars each to every man, woman, and child in the country the lamestream media would still come up with a reason to bash him. They still can't get over the fact that both they and their phony war hero lost.
Here it is from me to all the liberals and their water-carriers in the lamestream media: YOU LOST! GET OVER IT!
Hey! We should be glad they're off. It hits us in our pockets when they're in session.
I like that picture of Bush on the pickup. Can't wait to show it to my wife. She cringes when I dress exactly like that, right down to the fray on the jeans bottom.
He doesn't put on airs.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush lead the Inaugural Parade down Pennsylvania Avenue en route the White House, Thursday, Jan. 20, 2005. Marking the beginning of his second term, President Bush took the oath of office during a ceremony at the U.S. Capitol.White House photo by Eric Draper
You'd think it would be easier for the media to get drugs closer to the border.
Neither do I.
"If you don't want to be bashed, then don't do what appears to be bashable."
Everything he does is bashable according to the media, or hadn't you noticed?
OK, but it will stop the bashing about vacations.
Sorry CW, my #58 was meant for stuartcr.
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