Posted on 05/26/2006 9:54:07 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
What happened to the Texas swagger?
Maybe it went the way of his poll numbers. Maybe this is a newly reflective President Bush. Or maybe the first lady had her say.
Whatever the case, when Mr. Bush said at a news conference on Thursday night that he regretted some personal mistakes, like declaring "bring 'em on" in 2003, he seemed a little like the chastened husband who finally admitted he had done something wrong. Whether it worked or not depends on whom you ask.
"Sad day in Crawford, they're hanging their heads," said William J. Bennett, the former education secretary and conservative radio talk show host. Mr. Bennett said many of his listeners expressed dismay at what they considered Mr. Bush's groveling.
"One of the attractive things about the president is that he talks Texas," Mr. Bennett continued. "But what broke my heart is when he said, 'I need to be more sophisticated.' What is this, Kerry talk? Is he going to use 'elan' the next time he speaks?"
Hold on a minute, said Kenneth M. Duberstein, President Ronald Reagan's last chief of staff. "The country loves mea culpas from the president," Mr. Duberstein said. "It makes them human. This is part and parcel of the influence of Josh — making sure you don't go out there and thumb your nose at the entire world."
"Josh" is Joshua B. Bolten, the new White House chief of staff, who was reared inside the Beltway, educated at Princeton and has never uttered a Texas colloquialism that anyone has heard.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
when I heard these clips on Rush today - I knew it was a bad move.
the republican base has stood with the president in iraq, we are the only ones left supporting him. what exactly does Bolten think this accomplishes? republicans don't want to hear this stuff.
Nope. She's gone.
I take credit of course.
She was zotted.
We used to have a saying in Naval Air that I think is appropriate for "W" at this point:
"No Guts -- No Air Medal! " *S*
Seems to me that the President might be well off keeping his philosophical "pedal to the metal".
Or to coin the Iron Lady's mantra: "George, don't 'go wobbly' on me!"
The president's political enemies are lurking in the shadows, awaiting just such a signal of doubt or diminution in resolve!
Balls, George! Balls! Repeat after me...Got it?
Yeah. Strange that she'd even want to have an account on here. Not sure what her intentions were. I don't have 15 minutes of my life I'm willing to commit to DU, DailyKos, or one of those liberal sites. No one here is interested in her message.
The things he's apologizing for were the things I liked about him.
Uh, I don't think GW has any problem in that department. He along with Howard and Blair have been the only 3 world leaders that have exhibited "balls".
I thought Bush handled the question well. The press was hoping for a revelation it could make something of. This isn't anything it can do anything with. He didn't admit to any mistakes with the military or any mistakes in his actions as president. Instead, he said a simple phrase was a mistake. That said, I think he should have said accepting Ari Fleishcer's resignation was his mistake.
Me, too. It's called "cowboying up" and it's OK. You're either *for* us or *agin'* us.
Any U.S. President has handlers, period. President Bush had handlers from his time as TX Governor. That isn't what matters.
President Bush has had a damn tough watch, and it's only 3/4 done. He's had to face some of the most difficult types of challenges for America, and he's faced them with energy and feeling, and I believe, genuine moral courage.
I believe the President has grown weary. I think this latest come-down is the result of many things not going well the past year, and this fall is a time of reckoning.
Please do not disparage President Bush simply because he needs to catch his wind. I'm no Bush-bot -- I disagree mightily with some of his policies, and there are times when I wonder what the hell he's thinking.
But I'll give him this: he's faced an awful lot of tough situations and come through them. He still has my respect and appreciation as our President.
It was a stupid question - one never asked clinton I might add - .
What did the dbm expect him to say. Imagine if President Bush had answered "nothing" I can just hear dbm words now.
Like I said it was a very stupid question.
Actions speak louder than words IMO.
I am so glad we kicked saddams but that it makes up for it.
Now, if he decides to take on Iran I will go up and buy him a big juicy texas sized steak.
Frankly, that was one think I backed the president on. "Bring it on", expressed exactly what we should have our enemies thinking about. Bother us and you'll get your ass kicked. No need to appologize for telegraphing that.
Bolton is just another punk that thinks he is one of the elite and that anything from Texas is ignorant.
I am so sick of the supposed elites thinking they are so much better than anyone else. Of course those 'elites' would never protect the country, never be able to understand that when planes attack the WTC and kill 3000 people that America is under attack. They would never be able to mount a war.
Even today, the stupid 'elites' do not understand we are in a war, they do not understand that you protect your borders, they do not understand that you prosecute the law breakers among your group. They are ignorant and I am ashamed of them.
"I hate to say it but it looks like the process of castrating the president is nearly complete."
I have been thinking the same thing!
"Rush took this a sign that we're winning in Iraq and he made this concession from strength."
I didnt like the mea culpa, but I agree with that ^ assessment. These coments would only have been made if the war was being won.
Bull! The Washington media love mea culpas from Republicans. And once they get the first one, they know more are coming. They just have to keep up the pressure.
"Tony, the UN continues to be appalled at the torture tactic of the air conditioning being too cold at Gitmo. When will the President admit that it was a mistake to hold prisoners there and comply with the UN's call for it to be closed?"
Of course, RATS who don't apologize are called proud, stoic and unwavering while Republicans are called stubborn, at odds with advisors, and increasingly seen as isolated even among the inner circle.
I particularly love it when they think people who speak "Texan" are dumb as doorknobs and then find out that your dialect has nothing to do with your intelligence or accomplishments.
I've watched the affluent people from my town send their children off to finishing school so that they could speak properly and go out into the world to better themselves. One, who starred in a James Bond movie and has been a professional actress for many years probably would have not of made it if she had not dumped her twangy South Texas accent at finishing school. My favorite actor with the twangy Texas accent is good ole Ben Johnson.
You inherit your accent and speech mannerisms from your place of birth (if you stay there long enough) and your parents. Be proud of the way you speak, no matter what dialect you speak.
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.