THINK!!!
Bush has lost either way if CFR gets to his desk. Either he signs it and alienates conservatives and rabid FReeps -or- he vetoes it and gets crucified by the press. Congress MUST kill it if it is to be killed.
Now, if Bush needed weak-kneed GOP Congresscritters take the heat and kill the bill, would he run around reassuring everyone that he'd safely veto it if it gets to his desk??? OR would he HAVE to signal them that whatever they pass could become law?
IF it is a deliberate strategy it is brilliant, and you are right: it's the only way to perform a spine implantation in the Senate. But these retreats, both the Member's only one and the COS one, usually are held out of press earshot to be candid with one another and the administration. That's why it makes me uneasy: normally you wouldn't hear anything about this retreat anywhere in the press, and if partipants think the events are being manipulated they lose their value. Assuming it isn't a deliberate lie, (and Roll Call would normally talk to several sources from different offices to confirm the statement) the administration is taking a risk that folks won't believe what they say in future "let's lay all our cards on the table" meetings.
The only thing for us to do is not get complacent about what Bush will do either way and keep pushing the White House to veto.
A true leader would not care what they said.