LINCOLN LANDINGS (DNC attempt to attack Bush fails)

American Spectator online ^ | 5-2-03

[doug from upland]

As President Bush was winging his way across the waters off the coast of San Diego for his appearance Thursday on national TV, staffers at the Democratic National Committee were scrambling to find out exactly how much the evening's performance would cost the American taxpayer. "Republicans were always running all these numbers showing how much Clinton and Gore spent for their political gains," said a DNC staffer. "We're trying to do it with Bush and Cheney."

Unfortunately, the opposition researchers were out of luck. In fact, Bush is actually saving taxpayers money by spending the night on the USS Abraham Lincoln, where security expenses are much cheaper than they would have been at a land-based hotel. Moreover, Bush's flight out to the Lincoln on the four-seat S3 Viking aircraft is a flight the Navy usually makes to carriers that are coming in to shore, and Bush did not require use of the Marine helicopter that he usually takes.

"He just got lucky," said the DNC staffer. "We'll be able to get him lots of times in the coming months."

Probably not. Anyone who saw Bush on the deck of the aircraft carrier after landing Thursday afternoon had to realize this was no Mike Dukakis-in-a-tank moment. Almost certainly images from this trip will be replayed time and again during the 2004 campaign, to the benefit of Republicans.

"There isn't a Republican candidate who wouldn't kill to be standing next to him on that aircraft carrier," says a Republican political consultant. "It's a beautiful thing."

[sauropod]

"Republicans were always running all these numbers showing how much Clinton and Gore spent for their political gains," said a DNC staffer. "We're trying to do it with Bush and Cheney."

How original.

[liberalnot]

this one sent chills up and down my neck.

i don't think the dems can crack this.

[WellsFargo94]

While watching the President on the carrier I thought how if Clinton were to be grateful to the military he would have used the sailors as a backdrop while he gave one of his boring diatribes for over an hour and then left.

[Salvation]

Bush has them in the trap. (I really want to say something else, but can't due to the rules!) LOL!

[MJY1288]

What we witnessed yesterday is what makes this country so great. Our Commander-in-Chief deeply respects and admires our men and women in uniform and they feel the same about him. Yesterday was their day in the Sun and I can honestly say I heve never seen anything more patriotic and inspirational in my entire life.

[DD938]

What we all witnessed yesterday was a truly historical event. G.W. will go down as one of our greatest Presidents
and he deserves it. He is a true American.
Eat your heart out Bill. This is what is called "A LEGACY".

[MJY1288]

By the way..... I heard on the radio tonight that today was the all time record for new recruits as well as re-inlistments in the military.

[leprechaun9]

Since Billy Clintoooon recaptured the front lawn of the White House after each military excursion, I was very happy and supportive to see the Commander in Chief demonstrating a part of his actual job description.

Every commander meets with the troops and they appreciate it. I know that I appreciated it when I served in the U.S. Navy.

[jrushing]

I think that what we witnessed yesterday was a brilliant move. If you want to be cynical, the political benefits are tremendous. I refuse to be cynical about it. I think that it was just W. in a sincere moment of gratitude for our service people. He enjoyed being one with them. The Dems can't grasp or understand it, they just know that they've been outdone!!

[Nick Danger]

this one sent chills up and down my neck. i don't think the dems can crack this.

I agree. This one had people reaching for the hankies. If the Democrats attack it, they will come off as mean little cranks.

[kylaka]

Well, the democratic counterpart would be a photo-op standing next to a '57 Chevy with Fidel Castro. Some contrast.... but absolutely accurate.

[DD938]

Stick a fork in the Dems, they're done.

[baseballmom]

Since Billy Clintoooon recaptured the front lawn of the White House after each military excursion

I've seen several references to this - but I have no idea what anyone is talking about. I must have been in the shower when this occured. Can someone fill me in ??

[NJJ]

I wonder when we will be reading stories about the USS G W BUSH.

[teletech]

Bush has them in the trap. (I really want to say something else, but can't due to the rules!) LOL!

It's like he has the RATS running through a maze and everytime they change direction, they keep running into themselves! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

[Lando Lincoln]

"He just got lucky," said the DNC staffer. "We'll be able to get him lots of times in the coming months."

Correction.......it was Clinton who always got lucky. President Bush is simply outsmarting the DNC goofs.

[dirtbiker]

Yesterday was their day in the Sun and I can honestly say I heve never seen anything more patriotic and inspirational in my entire life.

Amen to that! On top of that, Bush did NOTHING to place himself above those around him!

[Verginius Rufus]

I listened to a few minutes of Brian Lamb's morning call-in program on C-SPAN on Friday morning, and one caller began by complaining about how much of the taxpayers' money had been wasted so that Bush could fly to the aircraft carrier...then he launched into a whole litany of typical DNC talking points (including some of the more obscure ones like the claim that Bush didn't fulfill all of his National Guard obligations). Lamb let him go on at unreasonable length before finally cutting him off.

[cardinal4]

Seeing W in a flight suit on the deck, told me there is Democrat that can touch him...