Philosophy, Not Policy Why Bush isn't good at interviews.

Opinion Journal ^ | February 8, 2004 | Peggy Noonan

[Alissa]

President Bush's interview on "Meet the Press" seems to me so much a big-story-in-the-making that I wanted to weigh in with some thoughts. I am one of those who feel his performance was not impressive.

It was an important interview. The president has been taking a beating for two months now--two months of the nonstop commercial for the Democratic Party that is the Democratic primaries, and then the Kay report. And so people watched when he decided to come forward in a high stakes interview with Tim Russert, the tough interviewer who's an equal-opportunity griller of Democrats. He has heroic concentration and a face like a fist. His interviews are Beltway events.

[Torie]

I saw the last 40 minutes of the interview. I give Bush a C-. He was too unfocused, lacked an ability to find the words to express himself, and was particularly poor in handling Iraq questions. He did best on domestic issues, although not great on the deficit. I don't think he did his homework for this interview, and Bush needs to do his homework. He just can't wing it ala Clinton. Noonan is it about right, and was actually trying to soften the blow with some warm and fuzzy above the fray musings.

[texasflower]

I'm glad you reposted that. You will keep it handy throughout the season I hope!

[texasflower]

Per the "advisor", whoever that is, this was the President's idea.

It was in an article posted yesterday.

[thesummerwind]

I hate Tim Russert! He has a face like a ham.

ROFL!!!

A Potato Ham...........

And Peggy Noonan said Timmy has 'a face like a fist'. Today I wanted to hit his fist with my fist!

Let's all be honest. This was not a great performance by G.W. There will be other days, and things will change as we get to late summer and early fall.

Let me assuage all our feelings by reassuring you all that the old-time Dems. are quite worried that Kerry "will not wear well" on Americans over the next nine months. They are saying he is way too boring,, down, dull, and monotoned.

Even the Bush-hating Molly Ivens said recently of Kerry, "Kerry's so boring he could take the excitement out of a soccer riot." That's beautiful.

So the interview was not good, Russert was an operative a**hole, but G.W. will smoke in the fall.

From a thread the other day.........

GWB: HBS MBA -- http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1070924/posts

"By reputation, the President was a very avid and skillful poker player when he was an MBA student. One of the secrets of a successful poker player is to encourage your opponent to bet a lot of chips on a losing hand. This is a pattern of behavior one sees repeatedly in George W. Bush’s political career.

He is not one to loudly proclaim his strengths at the beginning of a campaign. Instead, he bides his time, does not respond forcefully, a least at first, to critiques from his enemies, no matter how loud and annoying they get. If anything, this apparent passivity only goads them into making their case more emphatically."

*******

Be calm, but get out the vote. The Dems. have some serious hate on their side that must be overcome.

[thesummerwind]

I'm glad you reposted that. You will keep it handy throughout the season I hope!

Yes, my flower.

It needs to be said, over and over again. There will be some nice surprises in the late summer and early fall by the White House card players.

Then, Kerry will dryly monotone himself into oblvion after November as we ask him on his way out, "John, why the long face?"

[texasflower]

He is not jr and you know it. He does not like to be referred to that way, because he is NOT a jr. and it is the height of disrespect for you to refer to a sitting president in that manner.

Furthermore I strongly disagree with your assertion that he does not have a consistent political philosophy.

That is one of his strongest traits. He has a vision and a strongly philosophy that his vision is based on. That never wavers with him.

He has answered the NG question over and over in the past and he answered it this morning.

[Choose Ye This Day]

The only reason I listen to Laura Ingraham is I can tell by the tenor of her voice that she has the hots for me!!!

No, for me!!! (Oh wait, I'm married. Please disregard.)

[nutmeg]

ping!

Please FReepmail me if you want on or off my infrequent ‘miscellaneous’ ping list.

[thesummerwind]

Is that Enquirer REAL???????????

John Heinz Kerry Fonda

[Pedertwin]

"... you have not received a reply to your question about coding. Welcome to FR. By the way, I had a friend named Peder. I haven't thought of him in a long time...Here are the links.
http://www.freerepublic.com/forum/a3aa5843c228c.htm
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1011945/posts
http://www.2createawebsite.com/build/html.html
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/757944/posts Tammy

Thanks, Tammy for the links and the nice welcome. I'm not a "him," but I'm glad I trigger some good memories for you just the same. (:

[BlueAngel]

Very well said, olliemb!

[thesummerwind]

Steyn ........ "As we learned in the days after, because of incompatible computers, the FBI was unable to e-mail pictures of the 9/11 killers to local offices. Yet there's money for rock 'n' roll nostalgia, and an "indoor rain forest" in Iowa. "The president should not be the National School Superintendent, the Pharmacist-in-Chief, the Curator of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, or the Inspector-General of Janet Jackson's Breasts. "And, if neither politicians nor the electorate understands that at a time of war, then republican government is doomed." ...and I'm leaving the reservation right behind him.

Heavy.

[Lady In Blue]

I do too! I think Peggy still hasn't gotten over the fact that President Reagan is no longer president. She forgets that the Gipper was an actor for 40 some years and of course he was a great communicator with a beautiful voice.As much as I liked Ronald Reagan,I still prefer our plain spoken,natural cowboy President!

[185JHP]

An ol' rampaging Texas sowhog found out some things about W. Haven't heard much from her lately - not that I want to.

[Pedertwin]

Rokke said: "...I am a huge fan of GWB, but usually cringe during most of his interview appearances. I thought he did very well in this one. I found him focused, thoughtful and sincere..."

The SINCERITY factor is what came through for me, Rokke. I saw a guy who is intent on going the distance to finish what he started in the aftermath of 9-11-01. He believes in the direction he's going and is intent on LEADING the pack in eradicating the terrorist underground that threatens both our national and global security.

[labard1]

I much prefer Reagan on both domestic and foreign policy, but his philosophical son is Dubya, whose policies are much more Reagan than GHWB.

Reagan's speeches were poetry AND powerful. Dubya's heart is in the right place, and he's a fabulous poker player. He's got the right foreign policy for the right reasons. His domestic policies are a mixed bag, but certainly better than the Dim alternatives. His speeches can be compelling. I'll certainly support him. But, alas, I miss Reagan.

[KQQL]

Yes it's real:

CHECK FOR YOURSELF:

http://www.nationalenquirer.com/neo/newsstand.cfm

[thesummerwind]

Great.

That girl isn't Jane Fonda on the cover with him though, is it? That was one of the women he was dating??

[Bella]

On the premise that Peggy is correct here, I think Bush ought to challenge the candidate the Dems choose to a written debate.

Written debate? They should have 3-4 verbal debates..Have a question, what's that ear piece that he's been wearing? Has anyone noticed it in his ear? I've seen him adjusting it a few times...Does anyone know anything about this? Is this why he pauses so much when responding?

[DestroytheDemocrats]

"all that the old-time Dems. are quite worried that Kerry "will not wear well" on Americans over the next nine months. They are saying he is way too boring,, down, dull, and monotoned. "

Good point and good post.