Experts: Iraq withdrawal now would be bad idea

Al Mendhar ^ | 2005 Jun 19

[motzman]

I remember Ronald Reagan use to address the nation about once every 6 months

But that was a different time, with a lot less media. Nevertheless...Reagan was EXCORIATED constantly by the media. People who didn't care about politics hated Reagan by default, because of the media.

Plus, "Presidential addresses" don't have nearly the juice they used to due to (primarily) media fragmentation. The people who are apathetic or don't really care much will find another channel or pop in a DVD, etc. What they will hear about regarding any such speech is the overwhelming liberal bashing of the President in print, local news, CBS evening news, etc. Why would Bush subject himself to that?

Bush's media handling has been first-rate. The results speak for themselves.

IMHO, of course.

[atlanta67]

"People who didn't care about politics hated Reagan by default, because of the media."

hmmm..i would say the 1984 election contridicts that statement

[AzaleaCity5691]

We couldn't win Vietnam, we entered the thing with our hands tied behind our back from day one.

Instead of battling a guerilla insurgency for 10 years (basically what we did) we should have gone in their with one clear goal, having U.S troops march into Hanoi to raise the flag of South Vietnam.

[motzman]

People who didn't care didn't vote.

The partisans will always go their way. The unattached are the ones to shoot for. They generally go for results (explaining Reagan's and Bush's wins).

By "talking too much" Bush exposes himself to perception problems from the unattached. Although no election is at risk, his agenda will be, if he keeps giving the media ammo to attack him.

And ANYTHING Bush says will be used as ammo to attack him with.

I do understand how frustrating it can be at times....but it wouldn't matter if Bush had Clinton's silver tongue (ewwww!) - "The Media" is very left-wing.

[CyberAnt]

"the enemy will follow our soldiers home"


Yes .. you can take that to the bank!!

[CyberAnt]

"Americans who are telling pollsters they want U.S. troops out of Iraq could see some nasty consequences if President Bush heeded their wishes ..."


I believe this is why President Bush doesn't govern using polls.