FR EXCLUSIVE: INTERVIEW WITH HIGH LEVEL NAVY COMMANDER REGARDING PRESIDENT BUSH'S TAILHOOK LANDING

a Navy commander | May 9., 2003 | dfu

[doug from upland]

After listening to the rantings and ravings of the DemocRATS who are both jealous and livid after seeing a beloved commander in chief do a tailhook landing on the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN, I wanted to get the real story.

After about 5 calls and transfers and return calls, I just spoke with a Navy commander who deals with public relations. He is very high level, but because this issue is so sensitive, I agreed that I would not use his name.

When asked whether the visit of the president delayed the arrival of the Lincoln, the answer was a resounding "Absolutely not!" The Lincoln arrived when it was scheduled to arrive. Ships slow down and speed up all the time.

The Navy does not have its ships land early. No. It is just not done. It is a logistical nightmare. Tugs and other port services have to be arranged. In 1991, the USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT arrived 20 hours early off the coast of Virginia. It sat out there looking at land for 20 hours. And they never come to port at night.

There were 20-25,000 families and friends expecting to watch the return of the ship and greet their loved ones.

"Psychologically," said the commander, "it would have been a nightmare. People made plane reservations, hotel reservations, long trips by car. Imagine what it would have been like for them to arrive to meet there loved ones, but it turned out that they came a day late for the event. We would have had 20-25,000 people really angry with the U.S. Navy."

The commander gave me his worst scenario for a public relations nightmare. It would be a grandma who drove all the way from Des Moines to see her grandson arrive, only to be told that she didn't make it in time; that they decided to come to port early. What do they say to her?

The commander is amazed at this flap, which has been totally invented by the media. This should be a non-issue with them. Some in the media were sworn to silence, and they were given the May 2 date about 3-4 weeks ago. They knew it would be coming to port at that time. At the appropriate time, the crew and families were notified. You just do not change the date.

As to the landing on a Viking rather than Marine One. The costs are roughly the same. Fuel and other costs for that Viking were already allocated and spent. If the President was not aboard that plane, it would have made a landing on the ship anyway. It would have done so sooner or later because it was in the budget to do it.

What has been lost in all of this, according to the commander, is that it was the Navy's idea for the President to come aboard and make a tailhook landing. They opted for an F-18. Because of security, however, the White House opted for the Viking, a 4-seater which could accommodate Secret Service.

"We would do this again," said the commander. "Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt, every president has landed aboard a Navy ship."

We finished with a laugh at the media. Members of congress and journalists are flown in and not charged. And these are the people creating an issue where none should exist.

[McGavin999]

Shhhh, don't say anything. Everytime the dems complain, the media just shows the wonderful pictures of our president. A friend of mine got to see them for the first time the other day. She didn't pay any attention to what was being said, but said all she could think of was "Da*n he looks good in a flight suit".

[doug from upland]

Actually, many FReepers have been doing original stories here for some time. The FReepers are everywhere. The RATS are not going to be able to hide.

[jackbill]

I don't know what others see in that photo, but I see mutual respect.

[liberalnot]

good going!

he's right. no one treats the travel plans and expectations of so many people on a whim without causing lots of mixups and anger.

another democrat media hallucination dispatched.

[nicmarlo]

Thanks for the ping, ohioWfan....e-mails going out! Thanks DFU! : )

[maxwellp]

I don't mind at all that my tax dollars went to pay for President Bush landing on the USS Abraham Lincoln. I'd even donate more tax dollars to see him do it again. I'd even make a donation. It was a GREAT moment in American history. And in my household we were brimming over with pride.

The Democrats are really digging their own grave, big time. Even every-day, ordinary Democrats are noticing something screwy with this party. Democratic friends of ours are saying they were thrilled with President Bush landing on the Abraham Lincoln and were dismayed with Byrd's remarks. I don't say much in reply - I figure it's better to let them figure it out for themselves.

[damper99]

Not only does he look good in a flight suit, he looks like he belongs in one. He looks like a wing commander, which is a harder image to project than that of the CINC wearing a flight suit. Man, he looks like he belongs with the crew! A natural.

[CyberAnt]

Maxine went ballistic today - she was being interviewed by Rick Roberts on KFMB 760 AM in San Diego. He kept trying to play a tape of a statement she had made about the carrier landing, and she was raking him over the coals for trying to make her accountable for her words.

He said later that he had called her over 12 times and it always ends in the same way ... she is screeming at the top of her lungs and calling him a racist.

The dems have totally lost it - IMHO!

[CyberAnt]

Yes, I heard that too about him staying on land in California. He came to the west coast to give a speech in Santa Clara (Silicon Valley), so he would have been required to stay in a hotel somewhere. Staying in a hotel is a logical nightmare. You have to pay for 3 floors; the one the President's on - the one above, and the one below - for security. I dare say that would have been a little pricey, plus all the food for a security staff to monitor the rooms at the hotel.

[CyberAnt]

ROTFLOL - Priceless!

[Miss Marple]

If you right click on the X, does it say "show picture?"

[nicollo]

Great Stuff, DFU!

Of course the Navy was behind this one -- they got more (good) publicity in one afternoon than all their advertising could generate in year.

A quick note on this:

"We would do this again," said the commander. "Ever since President Franklin Roosevelt, every president has landed aboard a Navy ship."

Other presidents have boarded naval vessels long before FDR. I also worry about the word "landing" in conjunction with an aircraft carrier. Strikes me as funny that an airplane can "land" on a ship at sea. ... lol!

George Washington had to have sailed while in office, if only on the Potomac between DC and Mount Vernon (I don't know). Abraham Lincoln famously sailed to Richmond as a guest of the Navy in 1865. Theodore Roosevelt reviewed the Great White Fleet from a Navy ship, as did William Howard Taft, several times. Both journeyed on Navy steamers to Panama while in office, and both used the presidential yacht, which dated back before them, although I don't know that is was a Navy ship. Anybody know?

In other words, Presidents and the Navy go waay further back than FDR.

[ladyinred]

BRAVO doug! Thanks so much for doing this. This is explosive news in my opinion. It is obvious the liberal media in conjuction with the RATS are making an issue out of a non issue for their own political gain. I hope so much this backfires on these donkey's from hell.

[okimhere]

Now what could have been neater...he's some inspiring leader Our troops have been reborn...they're more proud that they wear the uniform

LOL LOL..........great song. Ya did good!

[CyberAnt]

It might have been a new flight suit - but I just don't see why it would need to be custom made - most pilots are tall; no offense to those who aren't.

Besides, if it was a custom suit - it was not very well made; it was a little short for the President.

[doug from upland]

Glad you liked the song. Go bump it on the song thread so others can enjoy. Thanks.

[ironman]

Washington Post:
Friday, May 9, 2003; Page A02

The headline on a May 8 article about President Bush's visit to the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln incorrectly said the ship was delayed. The ship arrived at its scheduled time after waiting offshore for a day.

[doug from upland]

I guess the Post writer should have done some homework. I'm sure the commander would have been glad to talk to him and straighten him out.

[Soaring Feather]

bttt

[speekinout]

Can you see this picture? If so, the method I use works for you.

Nope. Are you using a Win only method?