Would Bush stand in front of a banner at a dumbass convention that proclaimed “Dumbass!”? No, of course not. The Bush people knew that the banner would be presented behind him while he gave his speech. The WH agreed to produce the banner for them because they understand the message that is conveyed by that banner being presented behind him in the context it was in— Bush in his flight suit talking about the war. Clinton started the use of these banners at presidential appearances that were heavily photoshopped— shortly after photoshop came out. The Bush WH does an even better job of it. They are very aware of how pictures can communicate things. The White House was talking about “dead enders” at that time. They wanted to convey the message that Iraq had been liberated and that a threat had been thwarted (”America sent you on a mission to remove a grave threat and to liberate an oppressed people, and that mission has been accomplished.” — a post “Mission Accomplished” speech to the troops in Qatar).
Don’t be naïve.
Thanks for the sage advice. I’ll try not to be naive. Just having fallen off the turnip truck, however, will make it difficult for me. I hope I can accomplish that mission.