Posted on 12/05/2006 5:15:55 PM PST by GretchenM
President Bush met with Robert Gates, his nominee to replace Secretary of Defense Rumsfeld, before Gates headed to the Senate for his confirmation hearing. View brief webcast of Bush and Gates at WH today. The Senate Armed Services Committee voted unanimously (21-0) to send Gates's nomination to the full Senate; a vote is expected Wednesday.
Bush had lunch with James Baker. The much-leaked Iraqi study group report is scheduled for a full public release tomorrow.
The leader of the Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq, Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, met with VP Cheney. Tony Snow said today, "... as Mr. al Hakim noted, the sectarian violence has been going on [in Iraq] for 82 years [since 1924]."
Those who have followed this Bush family through trial and fatigue, through more than one attempt to steal an election, who have watched President George Herbert Walker Bush preside over an immensely successful family and know his deeply-held emotions and pride in his children, will understand why "Poppy" Bush broke up when speaking to Floridians in Tallahassee about the service of his son, outgoing governor Jeb Bush. Here's a link to the video. Pres. Bush 41 said, "The moral of this story is to serve with honor, and your governor has served with honor."
Click here to see Deck the Halls, and Welcome All, the WH web site with videos and information about decorating the White House for Christmas -- this year and back through 2001. Mrs. Bush said, "Roland, our former pastry chef, came back -- by popular demand -- to build a beautiful gingerbread house that all of you can see right here. If you look closely, you'll see that Barney and Miss Beazley are driving Santa's sleigh at the very top. Kitty is here, right underneath the birdhouse."
Thank you for posting the DOSE tonight . . . The First Couple look stunning in their official Christmas portrait!!
BOB GATES:
Certainly, Bob Gates is no Don Rumsfeld; however, given the realities of today's political environment, Gates will be able to provide the President with the 'cover' he needs to actually win the battle in Iraq. Bottomline: Gates will play the Washington game so that President Bush can (discretely) achieve every objective he has advocated in Iraq . . . By 2008, the Democrats won't know what hit them!
IF YOU'RE UPSET BY THIS WEEK'S POLITICAL EVENTS, I ENCOURAGE YOU TO WATCH BRIT HUME'S INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT BUSH . . . YOU'LL FEEL MUCH BETTER AFTERWARD!
http://www.foxnews.com/specialreport/index.html
I'm off to finish the laundry so that I can then complete my prep work for a college fair tomorrow! Night all!
I loved that. Had the sense that she dug around or had someone dig around to find some particularly meaningful prior Christmas event and she brought that one forward. It's nice to be connected with the past -- and it was a subtle way of injecting the reminder that, like FDR and the US in 1941, we are also at war this Christmas.
The pictures tonight are very special. Thank you for posting the dose tonight, with these pictures.
That video, more than any prior, made me wonder how many tears Poppy Bush has shed in private over the public, and totally unnecessary, flagellations his sons have undergone.
I loved watching Jeb's kind face when Poppy was trying to speak. And the way he couldn't restrain himself from going to stand with his dad, put an arm around his shoulder, give him some water ... it was a precious interaction.
Thanks for the dose Gretchen
You said it before but Gates does have nice eyes
My gut tells me that W chose Gates because of his 26 years with the CIA; that he wants to win the war on terror through emphasizing that branch of the Weapons Tree, de-emphasizing the Pentagonal mindset but in no way diminishing its value or use. Time will tell.
They have just shown it on BOR
It sort of puts Christmas right there front and center (where I like it!) to see these, doesn't it?
Hi snugs!
I was, once again, impressed with the interior shots of the WH. I've never been there so this is as close as I get to seeing how lovely it can be. Spruced up for the holidays, Wow!
Yes re Gates's eyes. He exudes kindness. I'd never have dreamed, by seeing his photo, that he spent 26 years at the CIA.
It's very festive and special. It shows what skilled florists can do [the topiaries and poinsettias]. Also is very American and beautiful.
Jewels: "I don't think it's just Jeb, although he is rightly proud of him, I think it's ALL the crap thrown at both of his boys that have finally caught up with 41!"
I had that same thought while watching the video. GHWB was talking about (and feeling genuine pain for) both sons, while addressing the accomplishments of his second son.
Amen to that
THANK YOU for linking Brit's interview with the president. I don't have Fox News on cable any more and had no idea Fox would put this on their site.
GORGEOUS pictures tonight. I love each room more than the one I've just seen.
I guess the crowning glory was Gates coming from a White House breakfast with the President to his hearings, and he says to the democrats, we are not winning the war in Iraq. Now I KNOW several guys over there and they say if the media was really concerned with fair and ballanced, they would show just a few of the good things that have happened. They tell me that we are winning, it's not fast and it's not pretty, but it is a win!
Thanks for your links and upbeat comments as usual
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.