Posted on 09/14/2001 6:44:30 AM PDT by dictatorMA
Meehan, Neal raise doubts on leadership of president by Andrew Miga
Friday, September 14, 2001
WASHINGTON - Two prominent Bay State Democrats questioned President Bush's leadership style yesterday, cracking the veneer of bipartisan unity Congress has shown in the wake of the twin terrorist attacks.
``It's not a question of what he's saying,'' said U.S. Rep. Richard Neal (D-Springfield). ``The content is fine. But the blandness with which it is delivered has caused considerable reaction.''
U.S. Rep. Martin T. Meehan (D-Lowell) scoffed at reports Air Force One was targeted by terrorists - the reason Bush aides have put forth to explain why the president delayed his return to Washington after Tuesday's attack on the Pentagon. ``I don't buy the notion Air Force One was a target,'' said Meehan. ``That's just PR. That's just spin.''
The Bush White House has been on the defensive as pundits and some lawmakers have suggested the president backed down in the face of terrorist threats this week.
Bush has been under fire for not returning to Washington more quickly after Tuesday's attacks to take control of the situation and reassure a jittery public.
Some pundits have suggested his detour to safe military bases in Louisiana and Nebraska sent a message of weakness. The president's father angrily defended his son during an appearance before energy industry officials in Boston.
``I am annoyed with those who criticized him for not returning to Washington right away,'' said the elder Bush. ``I know George is strong.
``I know that he has a fantastic national security team around him. I know that, in reaching out to the Congress as we're seeing now, and reaching out to our friends and allies and others around the world, he's doing the right thing,'' the president's father said.
But both Neal and Meehan noted that Bush's performance thus far has paled in comparison to the effective mix of leadership and verve shown by New York City Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani during the latest crisis. Giuliani has managed to convey both reassurance and forcefulness, using numerous public appearances to convince the public that despite the tragedy, officials are in control and handling the problem in an effective manner.
``Giuliani has been outstanding,'' said Meehan. ``Every elected mayor and governor in the nation could learn a lot from Giuliani.'' Meehan, who stressed he did not want to sharply criticize Bush given the current crisis, noted that Bush is relatively inexperienced as president, having been in office less than a year.
``He's a new president and he doesn't have the experience that Bill Clinton had,'' said Meehan. ``Under the circumstances he's done pretty well.''
Neal said several Democratic colleagues agree with his assessment that Bush must show a more forceful, vigorous style as he seeks to rally the nation behind him for what many expect will be a long, intense fight against terrorists.
``In politics you have to use imagery to send a message to people,'' said Neal. ``Leadership delineates the difference between a town manager and a president. A president should know how to use imagery, symbolism to lead.''
Neal recalled that former President Clinton had one of the most memorable days of his presidency shortly after the brutal Oklahoma City bombings. Clinton, obviously moved by the massive human suffering, delivered an emotional speech that sought to ease the pain as well as inspire.
``If President Clinton had a better moment than he did in that hangar in Oklahoma City, I never saw it,'' said Neal. ``He lifted the spirits of an entire nation that day. That's what a president does. He provides comfort. And he finds a way to inspire people, to lift them up as well.'' Neal said despite his criticism, he is reserving final judgment on Bush: ``It's a bit early to make a judgment here.''
U.S. Rep. Martin T. Meehan (D-Lowell) scoffed at reports Air Force One was targeted by terrorists ... ``I don't buy the notion Air Force One was a target,'' said Meehan. ``That's just PR. That's just spin.''
Let me get this straight... The Pentagon is damaged and the WTC lays in ruins and he doesn't believe Air Force One could have been a target? People that take this line of thinking (that Bush should have rushed back to DC and not taken the precautions he did) are INSANE!
Dick Gebhart has been all over the air promising bipartisanship for the tough decsions Bush will have to make in the coming days, weeks and month, and he can't even keep these two idiots in line on a decision that any reasonable person would agree with...
Brian was the only tv reporter ever to confront the man with such a question. I am certain that Kilmeade would be dead if Clinton was still president.
Marty Meehans DC office is 1-202-225-3411
Richard Neals DC office 1-202-225-5601
Does anyone have their e-mail addresses handy?
Ahhh,you just missed to ultimate example of this if you weren't listening to or watching NBC news. Kute Kommie Katie basically had a unpaid political advertisement for Bubbette! that may have well been the kick-off for Bubbette! 2004 presidential campaign. This thing was so well co-ordinated that they even had video playing of Bubba being cheered by NYC crowds while Bubbette! was talking about how her family sympathized with the loss of their fellow NY'ers. She even managed to make a claim that she (Bubbette!) was out in the streets looking for her missing daughter,and how relieved she was when she spotted Chelsea and her friends (SS agents,no doubt) walking down the street towards her! Can you imagine Bubbette! herself walking out in the streets to search for ANYBODY? Hell no,she would order her flunkies to do this. None the less,Kommie Katie not only allowed her to get away with it,but seemed to get a little emotional listening to these lies.
This thing was VERY carefully scripted. Not a single "question" was asked by Kommie Katie that Bubbette! didn't have a whole speech prepared in answer,and like I said before,they even had matching videos playing while she was talking.
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