The AP article is a bit better:

quote:

Bush Teleconference With Soldiers Staged By DEB RIECHMANN, Associated Press Writer 1 hour, 32 minutes ago WASHINGTON - It was billed as a conversation with U.S. troops, but the questions President Bush asked on a teleconference call Thursday were choreographed to match his goals for the war in Iraq and Saturday's vote on a new Iraqi constitution. "This is an important time," Allison Barber, deputy assistant defense secretary, said, coaching the soldiers before Bush arrived. "The president is looking forward to having just a conversation with you." Barber said the president was interested in three topics: the overall security situation in Iraq, security preparations for the weekend vote and efforts to train Iraqi troops. As she spoke in Washington, a live shot of 10 soldiers from the Army's 42nd Infantry Division and one Iraqi soldier was beamed into the Eisenhower Executive Office Building from Tikrit — the birthplace of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein. "I'm going to ask somebody to grab those two water bottles against the wall and move them out of the camera shot for me," Barber said. A brief rehearsal ensued. "OK, so let's just walk through this," Barber said. "Captain Kennedy, you answer the first question and you hand the mike to whom?" "Captain Smith," Kennedy said. "Captain. Smith? You take the mike and you hand it to whom?" she asked. "Captain Kennedy," the soldier replied. And so it went. "If the question comes up about partnering — how often do we train with the Iraqi military — who does he go to?" Barber asked. "That's going to go to Captain Pratt," one of the soldiers said. "And then if we're going to talk a little bit about the folks in Tikrit — the hometown — and how they're handling the political process, who are we going to give that to?" she asked. Before he took questions, Bush thanked the soldiers for serving and reassured them that the U.S. would not pull out of Iraq until the mission was complete. "So long as I'm the president, we're never going to back down, we're never going to give in, we'll never accept anything less than total victory," Bush said. The president told them twice that the American people were behind them. "You've got tremendous support here at home," Bush said. Less than 40 percent in an AP-Ipsos poll taken in October said they approved of the way Bush was handling Iraq. Just over half of the public now say the Iraq war was a mistake. White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Thursday's event was coordinated with the Defense Department but that the troops were expressing their own thoughts. With satellite feeds, coordination often is needed to overcome technological challenges, such as delays, he said. "I think all they were doing was talking to the troops and letting them know what to expect," he said, adding that the president wanted to talk with troops on the ground who have firsthand knowledge about the situation. The soldiers all gave Bush an upbeat view of the situation. The president also got praise from the Iraqi soldier who was part of the chat. "Thank you very much for everything," he gushed. "I like you." On preparations for the vote, 1st Lt. Gregg Murphy of Tennessee said: "Sir, we are prepared to do whatever it takes to make this thing a success. ... Back in January, when we were preparing for that election, we had to lead the way. We set up the coordination, we made the plan. We're really happy to see, during the preparation for this one, sir, they're doing everything." On the training of Iraqi security forces, Master Sgt. Corine Lombardo from Scotia, N.Y., said to Bush: "I can tell you over the past 10 months, we've seen a tremendous increase in the capabilities and the confidences of our Iraqi security force partners. ... Over the next month, we anticipate seeing at least one-third of those Iraqi forces conducting independent operations." Lombardo told the president that she was in New York City on Nov. 11, 2001, when Bush attended an event recognizing soldiers for their recovery and rescue efforts at Ground Zero. She said the troops began the fight against terrorism in the wake of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and were proud to continue it in Iraq. "I thought you looked familiar," Bush said, and then joked: "I probably look familiar to you, too." Paul Rieckhoff, director of the New York-based Operation Truth, an advocacy group for U.S. veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, denounced the event as a "carefully scripted publicity stunt." Five of the 10 U.S. troops involved were officers, he said. "If he wants the real opinions of the troops, he can't do it in a nationally televised teleconference," Rieckhoff said. "He needs to be talking to the boots on the ground and that's not a bunch of captains." http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051014...pr_wh/bush_iraq

Of course, what do you expect with an approval rating dipping below 40%? Not even diehard apologists can compete with his stupidity.

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Retro ...

quote:

"If he wants the real opinions of the troops, he can't do it in a nationally televised teleconference," Rieckhoff said. "He needs to be talking to the boots on the ground and that's not a bunch of captains."

quote:

Originally posted by occrider Of course, what do you expect with an approval rating dipping below 40%?

That's the problem really. This is an administration that seems to be more concerned about PR management and preserving its public image than in actually getting things done properly. They can't possibly expect to turn the situation in Iraq around when they refuse to listen to dissenting opinions and when the interaction between the higher levels of the administration and the troops on the ground is fucking scripted to ensure that the president only hears exactly what he wants to hear.

The Republican Party distanced itself from reality a long time ago and shit like this just illustrates exactly how far away their world is from ours.

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quote:

Originally posted by Renegade That's the problem really. This is an administration that seems to be more concerned about PR management and preserving its public image than in actually getting things done properly.

That has been their modus operandi since they got into power. No real change there.

MrS

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-"Reality" is the only word in the language that should always be used in quotes.

quote:

Originally posted by Renegade That's the problem really. This is an administration that seems to be more concerned about PR management and preserving its public image than in actually getting things done properly. They can't possibly expect to turn the situation in Iraq around when they refuse to listen to dissenting opinions and when the interaction between the higher levels of the administration and the troops on the ground is fucking scripted to ensure that the president only hears exactly what he wants to hear.

They need to watch more Sprite commercials. "Image is nothing, thirst is everything"

Such doctored interviews are probably standard practice in the world of political PR. I mean who is going to risk interviewing someone on national television and having that person make totally make of mockery of them? I wish someone would do that, that would be hilarious.

Bush: So how is the war faring, from what I understand we seem to being making good progress right?
Soldier: Yeah right you f*ck, its hell down here! F*cking hell I tell you!!

That'll be the day when any politician lets something like this get on TV.

Heh I'd pay to see that happen especially to Dubbya.

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Music for your Mind

Here's the video if you haven't already seen it, guys. It's hilarious, but if you aren't wincing through most of it then you're made of stronger stuff than I am:

http://dissent.blogspot.com/2005/10...-unplugged.html

Speaking of hilarity, take a look at some of the responses on Free Republic:

quote:

PISANO: The MSM just can't stand Bush doing a photo op. [..] Who in their right mind would want to be asked questions on TV impromptu by their Commander-in-Chief and just told to "WING IT DUDE".

quote:

lonestar67: I do think the media covereage of the event-- including FOX-- is bogus. Suggesting the event was staged is thoroughly disingenous. did the news organizations envision Bush making random cell phone calls to unsuspecting soliders? The fact that five of them were officers is ridiculous. This men fight and risk their lives for the cause in Iraq but we are to dismiss them as shills? It is increasingly apparent-- even on FOX-- that only contempt of the US military operation in iraq can be validly expressed on air. All representations that contradict this line are variations on a hoax.

quote:

FreedomNeocon:Don't you know... nice guys finish last. You know why they say that? Its because women (espically women under the age of 30), are a paradox. They say they want a 'nice guy' who treats them well, help them out, defends them, does selfless things for them, etc... yet there is a paradox. The guy who treats them like trash and then for one momente treats them 'less' like trash are is attributed MUCH more for that moment of 'less abuse', than a man who consistantly treats her well, or 'tries to hard' or seems 'too needy', etc. Point is Fox is slowly starting to look as 'their base' as nice guys who don't have any other optoins. What is it with these 'media networks' anyway? They figure there is more 'utility' in a spot of MSM spin for the lefties (ie Brit's Katrina hysteria, or following 'the headine' in this case), than being 100% consistant in not being a usual kookaid lemming like the rest of them. Its a business choice, I guar-un-tee.

quote:

DK Zimmerman: There is absolutely no indication (and even a disclaimer) that it was scripted, other than Rieckhoff's unsubstantiated claim. [...] I also have some idea of how these things are set up, although I wasn't personally present for the one in question. Everything and everyone I've seen or heard denies the troops were told what to say, only when their turn would come up and what question they would be asked. Frankly, the idea that military folks would sit still for a scripted session such as you suggest happened is insulting in itself.

quote:

armydawg1: My fuse runs short with the Fox network now. I have noticed too that they seem more and more like their friends in the MSM, the "I hate America" crowd. Too bad.

Apparently if you close your eyes and block your ears, you can believe whatever you want. The fact that some Republicans would sooner believe that Fox News is part of the liberal "MSM" than the Republicans might have actually fucked-up speaks volumes.

Oh well, at least they have the Pentagon on their side:

quote:

WASHINGTON — Pentagon officials are denying that a live video conference between President Bush (search) and U.S. troops in Iraq was staged. "On behalf of these fine young men and women, we certainly regret any perception that they were told what to say. It is not the case," said Pentagon spokesman Lawrence Di Rita.

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,172262,00.html

Unbelievable.

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I fucking love freeperville. They will eat their children and spouses if they suspect dissent from Bush there. They really deserve a small island without any boats all to themselves.

I haven't been there lately, but I wonder what they have said about this interesting "soldier" in the staged session? I mean, it's still real even when you use a military press spokesman as one of your props for a staged question and answer with the President, right?:

http://villagevoice.com/blogs/bushb...hive/001948.php

She still counts, right?

Jesus I'm fucking loving this story more and more.

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Whence September dusk grows crisper still,
with leaves all crimson conquered,
I yearn to shout,
and dance about,
and stick pickles in my honker...

From a soldier actually involved in the interview...
(not that I'm sticking up for Bush as much as the truth here so fuck off with your rhetoric before you even go there...)

quote:

Speaking with President Bush Yesterday, I (bottom right corner in the picture) was chosen to be among a small group of soldiers assigned to the 42ID's Task Force Liberty that would speak to President Bush, our Commander-in-Chief. The interview went well, but I would like to respond to what most of the mass-media has dubbed as, "A Staged Event." First of all, we were told that we would be speaking with the President of the United States, our Commander-in-Chief, President Bush, so I believe that it would have been totally irresponsible for us NOT to prepare some ideas, facts or comments that we wanted to share with the President. We were given an idea as to what topics he may discuss with us, but it's the President of the United States; He will choose which way his conversation with us may go. We practiced passing the microphone around to one another, so we wouldn't choke someone on live TV. We had an idea as to who we thought should answer what types of questions, unless President Bush called on one of us specifically. President Bush told us, during his closing, that the American people were behind us. I know that we are fighting here, not only to preserve our own freedoms, but to establish those same freedoms for the people of Iraq. It makes my stomach ache to think that we are helping to preserve free speech in the US, while the media uses that freedom to try to RIP DOWN the President and our morale, as US Soldiers. They seem to be enjoying the fact that they are tearing the country apart. Worthless! The question I was most asked while I was home on leave in June was, "So...What's REALLY going on over there?" Does that not tell you something?! Who has confidence in the media to tell the WHOLE STORY? It's like they WANT this to turn into another Vietnam. I hate to break it to them, but it's not. Tomorrow morning, the Iraqi people will vote on their constitution. The success of our mission or the mission of the Iraqi security forces is not defined by the outcome of that vote. If the people of Iraq vote this constitution down, that only means that the FREE, DEMOCRATIC PROCESS is at work in Iraq. They are learning to voice their opinions in the polling stations, not through violence. If it is voted down, they will have the chance to draft an even better version; One that may better serve the people of Iraq. This is up to them. It is history in the making and I will not let the media or anyone else (who has not spent more than two weeks here) tell me otherwise. I have been here for almost a year. I have seen the progress made in so many ways from January's elections to this referendum. Don't tell me what the Iraqi people can or can't do. They will tell you with their VOTES!

>>Source<<

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The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass...and then you see it...
...white shores...and beyond...the far green country under a swift sunrise."

What the heck did you people expect? Its not like any of this is new for Bush. We've been shown he never goes into these things without intense preparations. Whether its a speech, interview, or debate, they put Bush through boot-camp style rehearsals for it.

Could you imagine Bush having to think on his feet for something like this? I could. I'm sure the administration could too. That's why they do everything in their power to avoid it.

Oh, and they lied about it. Big whoop. I don't think theres anyone left with the energy to bash this administration on their hypocrisy anymore. Its obvious they're going to keep doing it and theres nothing of any significance anyone can or will do about it.

This is all getting very tiring. I mean we have 3 more years of this left. Lets try to pick our battles and not get caught up in every single little scripted Q&A.