Bush Was Brilliant at his Press Conference on Saddam’s Capture

newschannel5.com ^ | 12/15/2003 5:29:44 PM | NewsChannel5.com

[Destro]

Bush was brilliant at his press conference on Saddam’s capture. So brilliant that I wish he would hold these off the cuff press conferences more. I think he has been ill served by his handlers who keep him and the press at arm's length.

To be frank, Bush can't read a speech very well. In all the prepared statement moments that put him in he comes off as slow and halting and a little out of his element. That is not fair but that is the perception one may take from watching him read a TelePrompTer.

But when Bush is himself, speaking one on one, with no prepared statements he commands presence like a president should.

I have to admit I almost forgot how good Bush can be when he is at his elements, though most of my fellow Freepers did not. I do plead guilty to doubting, but I blame Bush's "handlers" for blocking access to him.

Bush was Reaganesque at this press conference, and like Reagan he should talk direct to the American people as often as possible.

Another reason why I was so pleased with what Bush said was that he refused to hand over Saddam to an international court the way Clinton did for Milosevic. Not that I like Milosevic, but inventing a court that destroys national sovereignty is allowing a bad precedent. Saddam did his crime to Iraq and in Iraq he should be judge just like Milosevic should be judged in Serbia not at some U.N. kangaroo court. FREE SLOBO!! (and then try him in Serbia).

I amy hold up tearing up my Republic membership card for a bit.....

Now for the news. ------------------

NewsChannel5.com

Bush Holds Press Conference On Saddam’s Capture

Posted: 12/15/2003 10:24:00 AM

Updated: 12/15/2003 5:29:44 PM

President Bush said he has a message for Saddam Hussein -- “good riddance.”

At a White House news conference Monday, Bush called the former Iraqi dictator’s capture this weekend a “great moment” for the Iraqi people -- and he said they need to be involved in the process of trying Saddam.

Bush says the U.S. is working with the Iraqis to develop such a process -- one that will stand up to “international scrutiny.” The president said he has his own personal views of how to deal with Saddam, but he said it’s the views of the Iraqi people that are important.

Responding to whether the arrest will speed up the pullout of troops from Iraq, Bush pledged to “stay the course” until the job is done. He said he can’t put a timetable on the mission, and that the level of troops will depend on the security situation on the ground.

Bush said supporters of Saddam have “lost any hope of regaining power.” He said, “the nightmare of Baathist tyranny is finally over.” He added, “the world is better off without you, Mr. Saddam Hussein.” And he said when the heat was on, Saddam dug himself a hole and “crawled in it.”

[Reagan Man]

I'd say PresBush was near brilliant today. Job well done.

Bush is a plain talker. PresReagan was a plain speaker.

I think Bush does better in press conferences, while Reagan was better in public speeches.

Reagan was a great communicator. Bush does okay.

[Destro]

Sorry I doubted him-but it was not my fault I forgot - Bush's press handlers MADE ME FORGET!

[Brett66]

Another great thing about handing him over to Iraqis is that Kofi, and his wimpy-can't-stand-the-death-penalty crowd, are removed from the equation.

[RightOnTheLeftCoast]

"To be frank, Bush can't read a speech very well."

Wha?

The man's delivered some of the most brilliant political speeches of the past century-- and that's not just my opinion. I don't know what this author is smoking, but I want some.

[EggsAckley]

The Iraqis have earned the right to deal with this monster.

[chiller]

W is excellent in 'au natural' like in this press conference. And Smart enough to stay away from trouble. On the other hand, seveal major speeches have been off the charts too, (State of Union after 9/11, the UN speech, the UK speech...)

Conviction rules the day.

[RobFromGa]

Since it's the holidays, you can have a follow-up... Link to transcript

[Reagan Man]

Press Conference of the President Room 450 Eisenhower Executive Office Building

[RobFromGa]

Mine's better than yours...

[Salvation]

Very good from the little bit I saw!

[oyez]

I would think PresReagan would be quite proud of PresBush. I also think PresReagan is somewhat responsible for PresBush being president.(Well,duh!) God bless them all.

[what's up]

Dubya doesn't show all his cards at once.

He pulls them out as they are needed.

[Reagan Man]

Oh yeah. ;^)

I liked this excahnge today.

THE PRESIDENT: Stretch. Big Stretch. I'm sorry. (Laughter.)

Bill Simon: Q I know you said there will be a time for politics. But you've also said you wanted to change the tone in Washington. Howard Dean recently seemed to muse aloud whether you had advance knowledge of 9/11. Do you agree or disagree with the RNC that this kind of rhetoric borders on political hate speech?

THE PRESIDENT: There's time for politics. There's time for politics, and I -- it's an absurd insinuation.

[Destro]

I am the author of those words and if you think Bush "delivered some of the most brilliant political speeches of the past century" I would like to have what YOU are smoking!

By the way, I don't consider speeches important any longer. In fact they are anarchic. Presidents don't even write the words of their speeches so I don't pay them any attention since it turns into a contest on who as the best writers and who is the best actor. Bush is not an actor he is just who he is.

[Destro]

I don't consider speeches important any longer. In fact they are anarchic. Presidents don't even write the words of their speeches so I don't pay them any attention since it turns into a contest on who as the best writers and who is the best actor. Bush is not an actor he is just who he is.

[Reagan Man]

>>>God bless them all.

Ditto.

[RobFromGa]

I disagree with every word you wrote above except "the" and "to". The rest is absurd.

[Destro]

You mean Bush is a brilliant speech reader? Don't be too Bushbotish.