Thanks to all for comments - one time ping to say that I think this is actually an important issue (of major long term importance):
how the left is allowed to “frame” such judgments in the media, to the public, to political “pros” and indeed to “history” is of crucial significance.
We already lost this particular battle long ago, but over time it is useful and important to continue to challenge dominant media narratives again and again.
When it is pretended (and comes to be “conventional wisdom”) that a rabid charlatan like Michael Moore is correct in his propaganda use of this incident, then that kind of propaganda creates its own significance, however despicable.
I maintain that there was nothing wrong with Pres. Bush remaining in that classroom for 7-8 min., that there were no substantive or national security reasons for him to rush out abruptly.
Of course, if Pres. Bush HAD excused himself and quickly departed then the left would have created a meme of “Pres Bush rattled by 9/11 attacks, lose his cool before students etc.”
We need to see and understand how these propaganda battles function. It was a “no win” situation in propaganda terms, when it comes to the uses which can be made by scumbags like Michael Moore.
The only (useful) thing Pres. Bush could do in those 7-8 minutes is what he did do: remain calm, complete his current public activity promptly, and steel himself for what was to come.
...and so called conservatives who were all aboard the Bush bandwagon following 9/11 but now find it convenient to continue the piling on even this insignificant and idiotic event..............