Posted on 05/11/2003 6:43:50 PM PDT by FairOpinion
But some politicians on the mainland, and on the other side of the political aisle, criticized the president's tail-hook landing as an overpriced photo opportunity.
Word about the partisan sniping traveled fast throughout the ship.
Many sailors couldn't quite believe it was happening, that the historical presidential visit was becoming cheapened by talk that it was just a well-choreographed display that would win the president votes in the next election.
It was the latest example. On ship or on shore, a person's position shapes their perception.
Bush didn't need to land on the Lincoln's flight deck, or use it later for a presidential platform, to win votes on the ship.
He already had most of them. Had them before, as a matter of fact.
"Al Gore was against guns," Seaman Lucas Crowell said. "From there on out, it was a pretty easy decision."
Bush still pressed as much flesh as a president could, though, during an 18-hour visit aboard the metal maze that makes up America's largest warship.
It seemed that all but a few of the 4,000 sailors still on board the Lincoln after it left Hawaii had a chance to get close to their commander in chief, shake his hand, say thanks, ask about Texas.
Days followed with sailors sharing stories about their meeting with the president and frantic searches to find who might have taken a photo that would prove it.
Barely 24 hours had passed after the president's departure before some sailors had changed their computer screensavers with photos of them and Bush.
Some told me they didn't vote last time around. They will now.
But whether one had a chance to look Bush in the eye and thank him for coming, or just be part of the backdrop for his national speech, sailors throughout the ship spoke in positive and glowing terms about the visit and the president.
He was real. He was personable. He was genuine.
(Excerpt) Read more at heraldnet.com ...
The horrors.
Come on, they had been at sea 10 months!
Bottom line: Bush Aboard the Carrier worked as A Good Thing for everyone except hard-core Democrats and certain members of the press (which is a tad repetitious). If every major step by the Bush Administration until the next election plays the same way, he will lose exactly 3 Electoral College votes in the next election (D.C.).
'Tis a consumation devoutly to be wished.
Congressman Billybob
... Reporters who hadn't figured out a way to escape from the halo of security people surrounding them sat on their notebooks, frustrated.
The barriers came in batches.
For all but the White House press corps, there would be no using of the presidential platform for a TV backdrop, or no live coverage of the president's landing except by the Beltway bunch: "We cover the president." Reporters who hadn't figured out a way to escape from the halo of security people surrounding them sat on their notebooks, frustrated.
The barriers came in batches.
For all but the White House press corps, there would be no using of the presidential platform for a TV backdrop, or no live coverage of the president's landing except by the Beltway bunch: "We cover the president."
The White House itself made other events off-limits, like the president breaking bread with enlisted sailors.
Shut-out reporters rightfully complained loudly, as if such protests could produce a magical elixir that would evaporate the limits on access to the president. Some apparently also believed such a potion would be more powerful the louder the complaint.
Some sailors were probably happy the snake oil wouldn't work.
After the president moved around the flight deck after his landing, exchanging small talk and passing out "thanks," photographers on the periphery began to shout at sailors who were blocking their view. "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
Some moved and missed their chance to meet the president.
The White House itself made other events off-limits, like the president breaking bread with enlisted sailors.
Shut-out reporters rightfully (huh??) complained loudly, as if such protests could produce a magical elixir that would evaporate the limits on access to the president. Some apparently also believed such a potion would be more powerful the louder the complaint.
Some sailors were probably happy the snake oil wouldn't work.
After the president moved around the flight deck after his landing, exchanging small talk and passing out "thanks," photographers on the periphery began to shout at sailors who were blocking their view. "Get out of the way! Get out of the way!"
Some moved and missed their chance to meet the president.
If Bush had truly wanted this to be a photo op for 2004, then the reporterettes would have been given top-secret badges and allowed to photograph non-stop.
After reading this, I am inclined to believe that the curlish sniping about a photo op is from reporters NOT being allowed to report to their hearts content. No matter how much of a pain in the *ss they make themselves to sailors trying to do their job.
I wonder why only the regular WH press corp was allowed greater access? Funny how no one has mentioned this before now. Sour grapes, indeed.
For a true ketchup lover, it's not about the meat. It's all about the ketchup.
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