Bush's Wake-Up Call Was a Snooze Alarm (Fatso Shales Suggests Bush On Drugs)

Washington Post ^ | March 7, 2003 | Tom Shales

[PJ-Comix]

George W. Bush kept seeming to lose interest in his own remarks last night as the president did that rarest of rare things -- for him -- and held a prime-time news conference. Televised live on all the major networks from the East Room of the White House, the occasion found Bush declaring this to be "an important moment" for America and the world, yet he spoke with little urgency and no perceptible passion. Have ever a people been led more listlessly into war? It's tempting to speculate how history would have changed if Winston Churchill or FDR had been as lethargic as Bush about rallying their nations in an hour of crisis. There were times when it appeared his train of thought had jumped the tracks. Occasionally he would stare blankly into space during lengthy pauses between statements -- pauses that once or twice threatened to be endless. There were times when it seemed every sentence Bush spoke was of the same duration and delivered in the same dour monotone, giving his comments a numbing, soporific aura. Watching him was like counting sheep.

[PJ-Comix]

. On the other hand, it hardly seems out of order to speculate that, given the particularly heavy burden of being president in this new age of terrorism -- a time in which America has, as Bush said, become a "battlefield" -- the president may have been ever so slightly medicated.

So how come Fatso never mentioned those shots Clinton received while President? We never knew what was in those shots. The holdover doctor from the Bush administration REFUSED to inject Clinton with a shot that he wasn't told the contents of and was promptly fired.

[piasa]

When libs don't have any points to make, they resort to name calling and insults.

[Always Right]

I think you have to admit the President was kind of boring last night. I certainly wish we had Reagan around to offer a more convincing case. For instance when a reporter asked if we should be afraid of more terrorist attacks if we attack Iraq, Bush offered a weak response. Reagan would have been all over that question saying we should not back down due to threats of terrorists and how we must stand up to evil with a show of strength.

[kattracks]

Of course, this idiot author doesn't get it. President Bush takes seriously his responsibility of protecting America and sending American troops into harm's way, unlike clinton who made life and death decisions concerning our troops while being serviced by an intern.

Phoney theatrics went out with the former resident of the WH.

Thank God.

[Oldeconomybuyer]

Idiots like this author are stuck in a 90's time warp where style trumped substance. This White House is not led by a used car salesman who "feels your pain" on the outside, but doesn't give a [blank] about Americas national interests on the inside.

[piasa]

I didn't think it was boring, I thought the questions were boring and as usual, stupid. That's the nature of press conferences. Even Reagan's press conferences were boring - because of the lack of good questions. Reporters just keep repeating the same questions over and over to see if they can get a response they can twist into something damaging.

The president doesn't need to be "more convincing," since the only people not yet convinced are those who don't want to be convinced and are unwillinging to be convinced. There is ample evidence out there for those who want to look.

The pres has reserved air time for next week for something more substantial. I suspect he will provide something more interesting then.

[A Vast RightWing Conspirator]

I tried to watch that press conference last night. I eventually fell asleep and I don't feel I missed a lot. Does anyone have any idea why did he do it?

W did look grey and somewhat removed from our reality.

[Pravious]

It was "boring" only if you expected some breaking news and didn't get it. But I think the appearance wasn't geared for the news junkies, but for Americans who haven't been paying very close attention.

That said, I presume Shales would have found Algore more interesting? Heh. I can imagine "fire and brimstone" Al coming out against Saddam.. "And I will fight to my....last....breath...."

I agree with the other poster - there have been enough theatrics in the White House with the Clinton administration.

[piasa]

Rummy's are the only ones that aren't boring, but Rummy's humor and rapier wit is for Americans by and large, and so would be out of place in what was a formal stuffy, European style presentation on a serious topic designed for stuffy foreigners' consumption.

;o)

[Howlin]

Bump to that.

[piasa]

from the looks of it, it was designed to send the Europeans a final message regarding how they want to go down in history.

[Howlin]

So how come Fatso never mentioned those shots Clinton received while President?

The same reason he never asked for Clinton's medical files.

The same reason there were no homeless during the Clinton administration.

It's spelled A-G-E-N-D-A.

[Judith Anne]

I thought he looked fine. He has the weight of this country on his shoulders and was solemn. He's not an actor, he's our president. I don't want him spouting sound bites.

[dawn53]

This author's a jerk for sure.

I thought the President did fine considering the circumstances.

Face it, he was going to be criticized whatever his demeanor.

Too sober they say, but if he had been jovial, then he would have been criticized as too flippant. If he was passionate, they'd call him a warmonger, looking forward to war. If he completely dismissed the Europeans (as a couple questions seemed to want him to do) he'd be called a unilateralist.

What I like about GW is this: he does what he does, he doesn't seem to care what "they" (the press and the Dems think).

If he gets reelected, fine; if he doesnt, fine; if the polls are against him, fine; but he will do what he thinks is right, and he will make the decision, not the press, not popular opionion, not the peacemarchers, not the Europeans or the UN.

[WhiteGuy]

any idea why did he do it?

Approval numbers have been slipping?

[UncleSamUSA]

Hey Shales, go back to writing about "Survivor" and "Saturday Night Live". That's about all your meager mini-brain can comprehend.

President Bush's demeanor last night was perfect - somber, serious, determined, thoughtful, reflective, direct, and full of resolve.

This was done, I believe, partly to counter the cartoon-like image he has in left-wing Europe of being an "impulsive cowboy" and partly to show the citizens of the United States that he has thought this issue through and is clear in his resolve and serious in his judgment.

In this he was completely successful, and the whining and the brickbats from the usual suspects on the left wing both here and overseas makes not a tad of difference at all.

Bravo Mr President. Bravo.

[PJ-Comix]

Americans by and large, and so would be out of place in what was a formal stuffy, European style presentation on a serious topic designed for stuffy foreigners' consumption.

You should see what happens when YOURS TRULY gets into conversations with European tourists. They quickly look like deer caught in the headlights. I don't discuss politics with them but my brand of humor FRIGHTENS them. I might even get some of these encounters on videotape as part of my documentary for Ruthenian TV (more on that later).

[BluH2o]

I think you have to admit the President was kind of boring last night.

Agree ... he took up nearly an hour of prime time on the networks and really didn't say much that we didn't already know. About 30 minutes into his news conference I found myself thinking OK that's enough ... cut, you've said all that needs to be said for the time being ... give it a break.

[Miss Marple]

Apparently you missed the part where he said:

1. We will call for a UN vote "regardless of the whip count." He wants everyone to "lay their cards on the table."

2. He told the reporters, the American people and the world that we will act, regardless of whether we have UN approval or not.

I did not find the press conference boring. The audience was world-wide, so bombast and jokes would have been highly inappropriate. It is also important to remember that most people in this country still get their news from the sound bites on ABc, CBS, and NBC and have not heard most of these points up until now.

Finally, I do not think relatives and friends of people in the Gulf would have appreciated a president who was NOT solemn about his responsibilities.

[Howlin]

and really didn't say much that we didn't already know.

You have to admit that WE aren't average Americans. We know more than most reporters.

That press conference wasn't directed at us.