Posted on 01/01/2006 12:32:44 PM PST by ncountylee
CRAWFORD, Texas — For six days, President Bush has stayed in nearly complete isolation on his ranch here — just mountain-biking and brush-clearing, the White House insisted daily, and seeing only one visitor, his mother-in-law, Jenna Welch. He never even ventured into this little town of 600, not even to the cheeseburger joint that he often uses as a political tool to show that he is in touch with his neighbors.
But on New Year's Day, after a brief stop at an Army hospital in San Antonio to visit wounded soldiers, Bush is scheduled to return to the White House earlier than usual from his break and start a campaign to set the tone for 2006 and, perhaps, the remainder of his presidency.
As part of an ambitious strategy the White House has mapped out for the next four weeks, Bush has scheduled two major speeches — one on the economy on Friday in Chicago, another on Iraq — ahead of the State of the Union address, which is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 31. By the time he appears before Congress, Bush's aides are hoping, two of the immediate challenges the president faces — the Supreme Court confirmation hearings of Judge Samuel A. Alito Jr. and the permanent renewal of the Patriot Act — will be behind him.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesargus.com ...
A flat editorial printed as "Top News".
And they wonder why their former readership say they're biased.
I wonder if he'll pretend there is no illegal immigration problem and no tax reform/SS problems poised to remove the republican majorities?
"Bush Retreats"
That is the 'subliminable' message that the Times is seeking to convey.
What a headline.
Never thought of going home for Christmas as retreating. Have you?
Attack, attack, attack!!!
Pinch's life as he knows it is over
Yeah. like Clinton in McDonald's or Kerry/Edwards enjoying a Wendy's burger during the campaign was just regular faire.
I wonder whose house Clinton would have 'retreated' to?
Back in the olde days, the old gray lady was irreplaceable, NOW It even stinks to much to use as fish wrap!No Wonder their stock value is plummeting toward zero!
what part of SS reform and tax bill that you wanted did President Bush leave out of 2005? I recall he spent months traveling and trying to sell private accounts, then the congress stopped the approval of his 2002 tax cuts. As for immigration he has sent to congress three programs, which one did they vote on?
There's a line in one of the Tremors movies where the character says "Is your head up your a$$ for the warmth?!"
I think you meant to say whose ->bedroom did Clinton retreat to, not house.
No slight on 'home for Christmas' intended.
I simply think the Times indulged in an intentional double-entendre, trying to paint the image of a president hounded into retreat.
"...not even to the cheeseburger joint that he often uses as a political tool to show that he is in touch with his neighbors. "
What the Slimes meant was "not even to the burger joint where we had Cindy Shehan antiwar supporters ready to ambush Bush and pepper him with questions and protests".
Conversely, did the Slimes infer that kerry also used that Philly cheesesteak joint as a political tool to show how in touch with bluecollar Philly workers he is? Did clintoon also use Mickey D's as a political tool to show he hung out in fastfood joints with regular folks?
"can I get some provolone cheese on my sandwich?"--kerry.
Funny how the left is fascinated with the word "retreat".
Probably @ a Ritz-Carlton resort with the tab being picked up by George Soros &/or Michael Moore.
If Kristol is right, then the notion of PresBush stepping up and advancing policies to control spending, shrink government and reversing an open border policy that encourages illegal immigration, isn't in the cards. Pathetic.
That means Bush43 will go down as a remarkable leader in the WOT, but a fiscally irresponsible President who never really believed in limited government. Lousy legacy.
By the way, my conclusion is reinforced by the article's very first sentence, which speaks of W spending the first six days of his holiday in isolation.
Again, the Times attempts to depict Pres. Bush as harried, perhaps depressed, cut off from the world. This is consistent with the Newsweek cover of Bush in a Bubble. MSM negative spin.
Funny how the left is fascinated with the word "retreat".
--
How FRench of them.
The effete elite sound defeat and retreat themselves, how neat. :}
What? Survive and Thrive.
How? Take the battle to them.
Good luck to the President. He has to work without much MSM actual reporting to secure the high ground for his Administration and the people. His adversaries should be recognized for what they are--people who would take the country down in order to score political points.
This means no quarter, aggressive campaigning and no mercy or understanding for treachery or cowardice.
Hate to say I was wondering the same thing...
Nope. Never. Not even. Never never never ever ever ever not even one single solitary time ...
Never.
So this story tells me that your President mountain-bikes, visits wounded soldiers and eats cheeseburgers.
Nothing wrong with any of that. He'd fit right in with me and my mates.
Great idea, will join you.
Notice the negative wording on the title alone ...
"RETREATS" as in defeat
and
"launch an AGENDA".
THese people sicken me. Bush is NOT defeated and isn't "launching an agenda" - but rather staying the course on what his plans has been ALL ALONG. Finish the job and leave Iraq.
I wonder if old "Conservatives" will wake up in 2006 to how stupid it is for them to post day after day nothing but foaming at the mouth rants at their OWN side. Curious why they do NOT just move over to Democrat Underground since their retoric shows them over on that side intellectually
I hope he come right back, kicking ass and taking names.
I liked the reforms he proposed. Did you not?
As for immigration he has sent to congress three programs, which one did they vote on?
What programs did he send to Congress? Guest worker programs?
Can't believe anything printed in the Times unless it's verified by two independent sources.
What is more like DU?
Discussing issues one believes could damage the party, or
Namecalling, denial, and blindly following?
Simply amazing how the Freepers who most continually rant at Bush, demonstrate such complete ignorance of basic US Political facts. Amazing how every single post for the Whine All The Time Caucus is a rant about Bush and spending. I guess no one ever explained that the fundamental principal of US Politics is CONGRESS controls the purse strings. Amazing how these self styled "Fiscal Conservatives" never ever seem able to actually say anything about the REAL source of the current fiscal indiscipline, the US Congress.
Congress continually adds as much as 1/3 to the Bush Annual Budget Plan year after year after year but the same old Freepers never seem able to hold CONGRESS accountable of ANYTHING. Guess someone should educate them that we are a Constitutional Republic, not the Presidential Dictatorship of their imagination.
Bush has ONE vote, he can either accept or reject what Congress sends him. Amazing how supposedly intelligent people never seem to grasp the reality that vetoing a bill is NO guarantee that the bill that is sent back by Congress will not be WORSE! Hard to decide which is more amusing their ignorance of fundamental political reality or their arrogance is posting dozens of threads daily to show off their complete lack of even basic understanding.
Thank you for proving my point about you.
The NYT trying to frame the ACLU, a known socialist organization with ulterior motives, as being on par with the legislative branch of this country. And it goes on, the useful idiots that buy this rag lapping it up. Thank G_d their readership is sinking like a rock.
I love it! May I send you a few editions of Madison, WI's "Capitol Times" for your birdie? Same paper, slightly different name. ;)
Is it "wrong" in your view to indicate that I believe immigration and SS reform will damage repubs in spite of the president's obvious efforts?
Personally I'd like to see Bush and his lieutenants start taking on the democRAT politicians who have coninually been bashing him. Many Americans would support him in this endeavor.
Personally? I'm totally ready for him to "launch" a few people "to the moon, Alice!"
I think when we next greet Dubya we're going to see a refreshed, invigorated kick-@ss President...even if he did have to spend part of his holiday with his Mother-in-Law.
(Whom, I am certain, is as lovely and gracious as Sweet Laura!)
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