BUSH TO LAND ON CARRIER AT SEA

New York Post ^ | 5/01/03 | DEBORAH ORIN

[kattracks]

May 1, 2003 -- WASHINGTON - President Bush today turns "Top Gun" and boards a warplane to fly out over the Pacific for a dramatic landing on the homeward-bound aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, where he'll declare that "major combat" in Iraq is over.

[HairOfTheDog]

I don't know what time! - Just put the TV on the news and leave it there today!

[2Jedismom]

Just put the TV on the news and leave it there today!

Ugh...I don't have cable, so that's asking a lot!

;-)

[AndrewC]

a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt

Alexander knew the Iliad by heart. He loved Homer, and always slept with a copy of the Iliad under his pillow. His first teacher was Leonidas, a relative of Olympias. Leonidas instilled in Alexander his ascetic nature for which he became famous during his future campaigns; he lived simply, in a Spartan way, eating and sleeping together with his troops.

[damper99]

Another sloppy bit of reporting is that "believing it's the first tailhook landing by a President". This implies that no President ever had the experience. Bush 41 was a carrier pilot, although it was years prior to him holding the office.

[skeeter]

This is what I was thinking. In the past our leaders got out front.

In recent years, they've increasingly insulated themselves from the danger even the average person faces to the point where the president and congress will likely be found 250 feet underground in a hardened bunker somewhere in West Virginia at the first sign of trouble.

This guy is willing to take a little risk in making this gesture, and the effect won't be lost on the troops.

[TheRightGuy]

Dangerous? Yes.
Publicity Stunt? I guess. I would call it a dramatic gesture.
Stupid? No way. This is what we pay the man for.

And besides, he'll look a helluva lot bettter than Dukakis in a tank.

[ArcLight]

It's like he's trying to show off. I really, really like the guy, but they should have told him to sit his @$$ down on Air Force One and lay off the hot dogging.

[Miss Marple]

If HE were flying the plane, it would be showing off. Since someone ELSE is the pilot, he is simply a passenger!

How is that showing off? I think you should ask the crew of the Abraham Lincoln if it is showing off. I would bet they don't think so!

Was throwing the first baseball at the World Series "showing off?" How about cutting brush at the ranch?

The American people like a President who is a leader, who isn't afraid to take the risks. This is a good thing to showcase the Navy, get America's attention, and have some fun.

For myself, I do not want a President who is locked in DC 24/7 and only appears to give policy speeches. That is boring. We are a dynamic country and deserve to have a bit of enjoyment after the last few months.

In addition, he is leaving the ship before it docks, so that the troops get the attention and don't have to be delayed by security.

Quit grumbling. You could be back in the days when Clinton grabbed all the credit for everything, even when he had nothing to do with the success of something. Remember him "taking the hill" in front of the White House? THAT is showing off!

[deport]

a stupid...dangerous...publicity stunt

---

Boy aren't you mostly correct..... Makes the democrats mad as hornets and doesn't hurt his standing with the public one bit.... great to recognize the men/women that have been in harms way and doing a great job.

Why don't you fly your state flag? Aren't you proud?

[el_texicano]

I do understand your concern. I would seek only to assuage that concern, the man knows what he's doing. Have no fear. ;->

[katana]

I am praying (as usual) for his safety and am jealous to the bone that he's going to get a carrier landing. The son of a good friend made one last year and he said it was the thrill of a lifetime.

Symbolism is an important part of how any leader communicates. Dubya and his people (like Reagan) seem to understand this very well. Throwing the first pitch at Yankee Stadium just days after 9/11 prompted Billy Crystal (no fan of the president, I'm sure) to say "would you look at the guts on that guy!".

[Hila]

Indeed, why vulgar? There is nothing vulgar about this choice: it honors our military - quite appropriate for a President who means what he says concerning our armed forces. As usual, this is most probably well thought and it will be safe, especially with all the prayers that accompany our CIC. Vulgar is the mention of the former disgraced bufoon of a president.

[Trace21230]

Give me a break, it's not "stupid" nor is it a "publicity stunt."

This president has more courage and integrity than any recent occupant of the White House.

I remember when he threw out the first pitch at the World Series in NYC. That was leadership in action.

This is no stunt. It's a tribute to the men and women who serve in the armed services.

Of course, the DNC-plants will spin it as a "publicity stunt," so I suppose we should prepare for that line.

Thanks for giving us the heads up on the DNC's talking points.

Trace

[Willie Green]

Was throwing the first baseball at the World Series "showing off?" How about cutting brush at the ranch?

Whether he's at a baseball game or cutting brush at his ranch, there's always another guy standing just a few steps away whose only duty is to carry a little piece of luggage in case of an emergency. Where is there room for this guy and his "football" on this flight?

[razorbak]

He's probably already on the ship. They're not going to give his actual schedule out in real time.

[Trace21230]

"This is dumb and vulgar."


Ummm, yeah. . . .flying on a military aircraft and greeting the troops in the field is "dumb" and "vulgar."

Perhaps you'd like our president to live out his term from a padded glass bubble, but I for one am glad we don't have some mamby-pamby priss in there.

GO BUSH!!!!

Trace

[Dead Dog]

part of leadership is sharing risk. Stupid and dangerous would be for him to campaign in Gay Bay.

[Dead Dog]

[tracer]

BUSH TO LAND ON CARRIER AT SEA

At least he isn't planning to land on a carrier in port....

[Joe Hadenuf]

Since he is going to be within a stones throw from the border, maybe on the way to the carrier he they can fly over the border and drop a few thousand leaflets, giving directions to his ranch in Texas, offer up some of that good ol konservative compassion, invite a few hundred thousand more of those hard working illegals to go to Texas..