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.

[Miss Marple]

Thank you for taking the time to do this!

The Rats are thinking they can erase this shining moment from our minds.

I am hoping someone makes a billboard of the picture and drives it on a truck around and around the Capitol!!

[Bahbah]

Everytime I see that picture, well...sigh.

[Wonder Warthog]

"Personally, I think the WH should ignore the dims."

DISAGREE!!! The WH should kick the Democrats in the ass (or any other available anatomic appendages) at every possible opportunity. Attempting to "ignore" them and being "polite" is what has caused all the problems. Kick ass and take names.

[Matchett-PI]

"This commander in chief is not being serviced by an intern while discussing life and death matters of troop deployment with a congressman. This is what a real commander in chief looks like.":

And this is what the DemocRAT'S commander in chief looks like:

[Nea Wood]

You ought to call Larry Elder, too. He was talking about this, I think it was yesterday. There was a caller who used to be in the military, and he insisted that the service people on the Abraham Lincoln would have resented the visit from the Prez because it would have caused more work for them and more stress! Larry was asking for anyone with inside knowledge to call him and verify whether what the caller said was true.

[PeoplesRep_of_LA]

Good work Doug, I heard you on Mark and Larry out here the other day, shamelessly plugging FR. I don't know if they got that.

Personally I hope this manufactured "controversy" continues. I think it wonderful that we're still talking about this outstanding event. Democrates were able to look past their hate of Bush they would be smart to just forget about it. I say we defend Bush vigorously, not because this needs it, but because it keeps the story alive and in memory.

No one ever said the Democrates were smart.

[Miss Marple]

On some issues I caution patience, but on this one I am really pulling for going Thermonuclear on the Rats.

The White House should be dignified, of course, but there is no reason why WE can't help them out!

[rwfromkansas]

good job

[ohioWfan]

Maxine just may be right there, Miss Marple. The suit fits just fine, as far as I can tell......

Is that grounds for impeachment, do you suppose or is it just 'shameful' and 'flamboyant?'

[jimt]

Many thanks for the post !

[Aria]

Savage would probably use this if you send to him.

[FairOpinion]

I just had another thought.

Since Townhall.com recently announced FR as one of their "member groups". Maybe you can get them to link to this story. That would start to give it more publicity.
Do you have any contacts at WorldNetDaily.com, they maybe could pick it up too.

[ohioWfan]

Besides which, the louder they complain, the more the media shows the video clip of the landing, and the glorious reception of the CinC from the troops, and the worse it gets for the Rats!

I'm really loving this controversy!

[Kaslin]

Personally, I think the WH should ignore the dims. This is a non-issue that is biting the dims in the a$$. Most citizens loved it and see the petty dims for what they are.

I am sure the White Hose does ignore the democRats and rightly so

The only people upset are the dyed in the wool dims that would be upset if Bush walked out to the carrier.

Exactly. It's best not to pay attention to their drivel

[rollin]

Now why would you want to send it to Waxman? Since when does he ever look at facts?

[Blood of Tyrants]

The son of a Freeper emailed his parents over THREE weeks ago and gave the date of arrival in Bremerton. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/908669/posts

The date of arrival was set before the first SS agent even flew to Hawaii to get aboard the Lincoln.

[mamaduck]

The power of email will be put to work directly!

[mamaduck]

will send this info along with email of article!

[Grampa Dave]

This blows the rats claim about the ship being delayed totally out of the water.

[Grim]

Here's what's REALLY buggin 'em.