A day in the life of President Bush (10/1/06): photos & news

1) Too bad about your Vikes. I was pulling for them. I like Brad Johnson---an average QB who just wins, baby.

2) The pic makes my butt look big . . . but I went on a diet since, Pres. Bush embarrassed me so by being in such great shape.

LOL,
I don't ever update my Freeper page. Heck, I'm to the point I don't even update my VITA anymore.

Neat-o!!

I saw a blurb from NRO stating that Woodward's new book was not doing well at all at the book festival.

I can understand not updating ones curriculum vitae. I haven't updated mine in 18 years. Haven't needed it.

But one's FR home page - now that's important <grin>.

You know, Miss Marple, way back when Rintense started the Dose, I had the same thought. I planned to do a daily, or at least weekly, recording of just what was going on with the Democrats and what Dubya was doing for our country. I wanted it for my grandchildren. I didn't do it.

Now I hate myself.

Congratulations to you on your well-carried out plans. This country will be better off for your efforts.

Oh, what a great picture of the President and First Lady!

I saw a blurb from NRO stating that Woodward's new book was not doing well at all at the book festival.

Good to "see" you, CA. Hope all is going as well as can be expected for you.

As for Woodward's book, it's just another one of his BS tomes. One gets very tired of the same old pontificating by the same old elites who think their word is gold and their [blank] don't smell.

I've been reading where Roger Ailes is shaking things up at Fox. In my opinion one huge mistake they've made is to hire so many of the same old talking heads we've seen all over the political shows for at least 20 years; 30 in some cases. What we need are fresh faces with fresh perspectives, not tired retreads whose world view ossified around 1970.

Oh, what a great picture of the President and First Lady!

That one is very special. I'd love to know what the President was thinking at that moment. His expression has a touch of irony to it.

Loved this first picture, thanks.

ACTION PLAN . . .

This Friday (10/6) I will be attending a luncheon fundraiser for my congresswoman, Jean Schmidt. MUCH to my delight, the fundraiser is going to feature a very special Press Secretary that we all know and love, TONY SNOW . . . which brings me to my 'action plan':

I think we should dedicate one of our DOSE threads this week to the posting of photos and the writing of uplifting/supportive comments to our President and his Press Secretary -- ohiowfan has volunteered (or maybe I volunteered her) to do so on TUESDAY (10/3). I will then print this special DOSE and, should all go well, give the document to Tony on Friday!!

WHAT DO YOU THINK?!

Relative to our Mr. Snow, the following link features an awesome Q&A between Tony and a reporter from one of the Pittsburgh papers:
http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_472976.html

MUST READS . . .

WHO'S REALLY IN DENIAL?
It's not President Bush.
by William Kristol
10/09/2006, Volume 012, Issue 04

"Americans face the choice between two parties with two different attitudes on this war on terror."
--George W. Bush, September 28, 2006

President Bush is right. It would be nice if he weren't. The country would be better off if there were bipartisan agreement on what is at stake in the struggle against jihadist Islam. But despite areas of consensus, there is still a fundamental difference between the parties. Bush and the Republicans know we are in a serious war. It's not the Bush administration that is in a "State of Denial" (as the new Bob Woodward book has it). It's the Democrats.

You can read the rest of the article at
http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/012/753pbkao.asp

IF THIS IS SUNDAY, IT MUST BE TIME FOR
another Washington Post front-page hit piece against the Bush administration. Two weeks ago, it was Rajiv Chandrasekaran's false and misleading attack on the Iraqi reconstruction effort. Last week, it was Karen De Young's one-sided report on the National Intelligence Estimate, as fed to her by anti-administration leakers.

This week, it's Bob Woodward claiming that that "secret reports countered Bush optimism" on Iraq. Woodward's piece is a joke from the opening paragraphs. There he juxtaposes President Bush's claim that "years from now people will look back on the formation of a unity government in Iraq as a decisive moment in the story of liberty" and the beginning of a retreat by the foces of terror, with an internal report predicting that 2007 would be a bloody year in Iraq. But there's no contradiction here. Bush was not making a prediction about the level of violence in Iraq in 2007; he was stating that the formation of the government signaled the beginning of the long-term demise of terrorism. This prediction may be too optimistic, but it hasn't been shown to be, nor would a prediction about the long-term that turned out to be overly optimistic prediction amount to deception.

Back Talk has more on the Woodward hit piece. I guess we can expect the Post to lead with "drive-by" attacks in the Chandrasekaran, De Young, Woodward style every Sunday until the election.

UPDATE: Mario Loyola at NRO's Corner explains why Woodward himself is guilty of deception.

Posted by Paul at 04:01 PM

Go to the original post where you will find live links to the additional sources cited above:
http://powerlineblog.com/archives/015432.php

WHITE HOUSE BACKS RUMSFELD, DENIES CHARGES ON IRAQ
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush has confidence in Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, despite accusations that he botched the Iraq war and earlier efforts by top Bush aides to replace him, the White House said on Sunday.

White House counselor Dan Bartlett also said Condoleezza Rice, who served as Bush's national security adviser before becoming secretary of state, had proposed a complete change of Bush's national security team after his 2004 re-election.

This was in addition to efforts by White House Chief of Staff Andrew Card to replace Rumsfeld, as reported in a new book by Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward on Bush's handling of the war.

"The president has full confidence in Secretary Rumsfeld," Bartlett told ABC's "This Week." Rumsfeld was doing an "enormously difficult job," he added.

. . . Rumsfeld, who critics say failed to adequately plan for the Iraq war or send enough troops, remains the right person to lead it, Bartlett said. "We recognize that he has his critics, we recognize that he's made some very difficult decisions. Some people don't like his bedside manner," Bartlett said.

Bush wants Rumsfeld "to bring him the type of information he needs to make the right decisions in this war," Bartlett said.

Rumsfeld said on Sunday he would not resign and that Bush had personally called to offer support. "Oh my lord, yes," he said in response to a question on whether Bush affirmed his support.

You can read the rest of the article at
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20061001/pl_nm/bush_iraq_dc;_ylt=AmvtrfFOPTg3JyRfZNtZt_yWwvIE;_ylu=X3oDMTA4NGRzMjRtBHNlYwMxNjk5

MY FATHER MY PRESIDENT
By Doro Bush Koch

I purchased my copy of this book today (at my local Borders store) -- the photos are GREAT and the content looks great as well!

http://www.amazon.com/o/ASIN/0446579904/ref=s9_asin_title_1/104-5408211-4131122

LOVE the photo . . . you don't look too bad either (ha!).

Just wanted to let you know that I purchased your latest book, "America's Victories: Why the US Wins Wars and Will Win the War on Terror" and have added it to my MUST READ stack . . . I also plan to include a copy in EVERY appreciation package I send to Afghanistan and Iraq from now until Christmas!!

http://www.amazon.com/Americas-Victories-Wins-Will-Terror/dp/1595230211/sr=1-1/qid=1159750517/ref=pd_bbs_1/104-5408211-4131122?ie=UTF8&s=books

Wolf, did you happen to catch Andy Card on one of the morning talk shows speaking about his part in Woodward's book? Anyone see this? I'm interested in what other's thought about Card's comments.

Woohoo for the special Tony thread!

Thanks to you for "volunteering" ohioWfan!

Thanks to ohioWfan for agreeing!

Sending copies of LS's book in packages to Iraq/Afghanistan is a great idea, Dr. Deb! Will do so too.

I am on myspace.com and noticed this pretty lengthy bulletin. I copied it and sent it out as an e-mail. Now I am posting it on here!
Bruce Vincent is real.
TruthOrFiction.com contacted him and he says that this is an accurate account of his encounter with President Bush in May, 2004.

George W. Bush
Story by: Bruce Vincent
For those of us who sometimes find ourselves having doubts about our President, here is an excellent piece--- Worth every minute it takes to read it. This is from a man, Bruce Vincent, from Montana who received an award from the President. He writes:

I've written the following narrative to chronicle the day of the award ceremony in DC. I'm still working on a press release but the White House press corps has yet to provide a photo to go with it. When the photo comes I'll ship it out. When you get done reading this you'll understand the dilemma I face in telling this story beyond my circle of close friends

Stepping into the Oval Office, each of us was introduced to the President and Mrs. Bush. We shook hands and participated in small talk. When the President was told that we were from Libby, Montana, I reminded him that Marc Racicot is our native son and the President offered his warm thoughts about Governor Racicot. I have to tell you, I was blown away by two things upon entering the office.
First, the Oval Office sense of 'place' is unreal. The President later shared a story of Russian President Putin entering the room prepared to tackle the President in a tough negotiation and upon entering the atheist muttered his first words to the President and they were "Oh, my God." I concurred. I could feel the history in my bones. Second, the man that inhabits the office engaged me with a firm handshake and a look that can only be described as penetrating. Warm, alive, fully engaged, disarmingly penetrating. I was admittedly concerned about meeting the man.
I think all of us have an inner hope that the most powerful man in our country is worthy of the responsibility and authority that we bestow upon them through our vote.

I admit that part of me was afraid that I would be let down by the moment -that the person and the place could not meet the lofty expectations of my fantasy world. This says nothing about my esteem for President Bush but just my practical realization that reality may not match my 'dream.'
Once inside the office, President Bush got right down to business and, standing in front of his desk, handed out the awards one at a time while posing for photos with the winners and Mrs. Bush. With the mission accomplished, the President and Mrs. Bush relaxed and initiated a lengthy, informal conversation about a number of things with our entire small group.

He and the First Lady talked about such things as the rug in the office. It is traditionally designed by the First Lady to make a statement about the President, and Mrs. Bush chose a brilliant yellow sunburst pattern to reflect 'hope.' President Bush talked about the absolute need to believe that with hard work and faith in God there is every reason to start each day in the Oval Office with hope.
He and the First Lady were asked about the impact of the Presidency on their marriage and, with an arm casually wrapped around Laura, he said that he thought the place may be hard on weak marriages but that it had the ability to make strong marriages even stronger and that he was blessed with a strong one. After about 30 or 35 minutes, it was time to go. By then we were all relaxed and I felt as if I had just had an excellent visit with a friend.
The President and First Lady made one more pass down the line of Awardees, shaking hands and offering congratulations. When the President shook my hand I said, "thank you Mr. President and God bless you and your family." He was already in motion to the next person in line, but he stopped abruptly turned fully back to me, gave me a piercing look, renewed the vigor of his handshake and said, "Thank you - and God bless you and yours as well."

On our way out of the office we were to leave by the glass doors on the west side of the office. I was the last person in the exit line. As I shook his hand one final time, President Bush said, "I'll be sure to tell Marc hello and give him your regards." I then did something that surprised even me. I said to him, "Mr. President, I know you are a busy man and your time is precious. I also know you to be a man of strong faith and have a favor to ask you."
As he shook my hand he looked me in the eye and said, "Just name it." I told him that my step-mom was at that moment in a hospital in Kalispell, Montana, having a tumor removed from her skull and it would mean a great deal to me if he would consider adding her to his prayers that day. He grabbed me by the arm and took me back toward his desk as he said, "So that's it. I could tell that something is weighing heavy on your heart today. I could see it in your eyes. This explains it."

From the top drawer of his desk he retrieved a pen and a notecard with his seal on it and asked, "How do you spell her name?" He then jotted a note to her while discussing the importance of family and the strength of prayer. When he handed me the card, he asked about the surgery and the prognosis. I told him we were hoping that it is not a recurrence of an earlier cancer and that if it is they can get it all with this surgery.

He said, "If it's okay with you, we'll take care of the prayer right now. Would you pray with me?" I told him yes and he turned to the staff that remained in the office and hand motioned the folks to step back or leave. He said, "Bruce and I would like some private time for a prayer."

As they left he turned back to me and took my hands in his. I was prepared to do a traditional prayer stance - standing with each other with heads bowed. Instead, he reached for my head with his right hand and pulling gently forward, he placed my head on his shoulder With his left arm on my mid back, he pulled me to him in a prayerful embrace.

He started to pray softly. I started to cry. He continued his prayer for Loretta and for God's perfect will to be done. I cried some more. My body shook a bit as I cried and he just held tighter. He closed by asking God's blessing on Loretta and the family during the coming months. I stepped away from our embrace, wiped my eyes, swiped at the tears I'd left on his shoulder, and looked into the eyes of our president.
I thanked him as best I could and told him that me and my family would continue praying for he and his. As I write this account down and reflect upon what it means, I have to tell you that all I really know is that his simple act left me humbled and believing. I so hoped that the man I thought him to be was the man that he is. I know that our nation needs a man such as this in the Oval Office.

George W. Bush is the real deal. I've read Internet stories about the President praying with troops in hospitals and other such uplifting accounts. Each time I read them I hope them to be true and not an Internet perpetuated myth. This one, I know to be true. I was there. He is real. He has a pile of incredible stuff on his plate each day - and yet he is tuned in so well to the here and now that he 'sensed' something heavy on my heart.

He took time out of his life to care, to share, and to seek God's blessing for my family in a simple man-to-man, father-to-father, son-to-son, husband-to-husband, Christian-to-Christian prayerful embrace. He's not what I had hoped he would be. He is, in fact, so very, very much more.

If you decide to forward this story...please do not add to it. Let his encounter stand as he wrote it.

Thank you for sharing your experience at the Michael W Smith concert . . . He's one of my favorites!

FYI: 'W' performed the 'flag' song at the Republican National Convention in 2004 -- the same evening that our 'Dubya' gave his acceptance speech. [I have the performance on DVD -- it was AWESOME!]

Wow. Thanks very much. I'm working on additions and new material for the paperback ed due out next May. (BTW, note the copy of "America's Victories" on the President's desk!)

You know I am thrilled to have a special TS thread!!! Thank you Ohio. I am also thrilled that you get to go to the luncheon, Deb. We want a full report! :) Thanks for your work, as always.

Also, check my post, #88, for what I think is a cool GWB story.

You know, every time I see a soldier in an airport---and if it's not intruding or too embarrassing for the person---I go up and shake his or her hand and thank them. I'd give them each a book, but soon would be on the street with the Katrina victims. So I give them a card and tell them, "This book is about YOU."

I've even had some write me back and tell me how grateful they were for people to stand up for them back home.