Bush perceives himself as a ‘strong asset’ to GOP

September 20, 2007

Today’s White House press conference didn’t include too much talk about politics — except for the president’s condemnation of MoveOn.org, which he said launched an “attack…on the U.S. military” — but Cox Newspaper’s Ken Herman threw the president an entertaining softball.

BUSH: Herman, have you got a question?

Q Yes, sir, thank you.

BUSH: You’re welcome.

Q Mr. President, for Republicans seeking election next year are you an asset or a liability?

THE PRESIDENT: Strong asset. (Laughter.) Ann.

Q Can I follow?

BUSH: No. (Laughter.) I knew I made a mistake calling on you in the first place. (Laughter.) …Look, candidates who go out and say that the United States is vulnerable to attack and we’re going to make sure our professionals have the tools necessary to protect us are going to do well. Candidates who go out and say that helping these Iraqis realize the benefits of democracy are going to do well. Candidates who go out and say that it’s very important for the United States to have clear principles when it comes to foreign policy, they’ll do well. Candidates who say we’re not going to raise your taxes will do well.

So, as far as Bush is concerned, Republicans should not only embrace him as a “strong asset” on the campaign trail, but should also emulate the beliefs and agenda that have made the president the successful and popular leader he is today.

I’d hope that Republicans embrace Bush’s advice, but I don’t think Dems are that lucky.

Sensible Republicans – and, yes, I realize that term comes close to being an oxymoron – see Bush as a strong-willed ass, not a strong asset.

  • I’ve notice a great unifying theory of DC wankery. If you get right down to it, Bush’s problem is Lieberman’s problem is Rumsfeld’s and Thomas Friedman’s and David Broder’s problem: Hubris.

    These guys can’t make a mistake, and they’ve found themselves party to the worst mistake of the Republic, so this collective denial kicks in. Lieberman’s just like Bush: the “chastening” of losing the primary only unleashed his arrogance, and the guy’s become completely unhinged. Judy Miller… these are arrogant people whose self worth is based on their perceived superiority and knowledge that we blogger dorks consistently mock. No wonder they hate us.

    It’s like every failure cements the failings and locks us on course because to change now could be perceived as an admission of miscalculation. When we see a cliff, we step on the gas because to slam on the breaks is an admission you’re heading the wrong way.

  • As far as I’m concerned, all those GOP candidates across the land can prop up a life-size George Bush poster next to them at every campaign event, wear a George Bush doll around their necks (think “albatross”) and wear fuzzy slippers with Bush’s face on them – let them remind the people that Bush is “the man.”

    Better yet, let ’em take Georgie out on the campaign trail, in the flesh.

    Just take him, please.

  • Yeah, that very same election advice Bush is giving worked well for R candidates in 2006. . .

    But this surprised me: candidates who go out and say that the United States is vulnerable to attack . . . are going to do well.

    He’s encouraging terra-ists! Why do Republicans hate America? The Senate should pass a Sense of the Senate resolution that no sitting President should suggest America is weak and vulnerable!

  • We’re vulnerable to attack in America, that’s why we need to focus on Iraqi National Security. Any questions?

  • “candidates who go out and say that the United States is vulnerable to attack because George Bush and the GOP virtually ignored the recommendations of the 9/11 commission, have failed to secure our ports and borders, failed to secure our chemical plants and nuclear facilities, and stressed our military and our Treasury to the breaking point on a war based on manipulated and false information. . . are going to do well.

    Really, I think the man lives in a reality of his own making, one where he never, ever has to feel like the failure he is because he deems everything a success. I can’t be the only one who thinks a few changes to his carefully constructed world will land this man in a straitjacket and on serious psychoactive drugs.

  • Why would the Bush Cabal follow the recommendations of something that they so stridently opposed from its inception?

  • I can’t be the only one who thinks a few changes to his carefully constructed world will land this man in a straitjacket and on serious psychoactive drugs.

    Indeed. I think the Bush Bubble is much like the movie, The Truman Show. His whole world is fabricated by his NeoCon Masters. He is completely disconnected from reality by design.

  • a few changes to his carefully constructed world will land this man in a straitjacket and on serious psychoactive drugs. —Anne

    I’m pretty sure the “serious psychoactive drugs” part may already be true. Have you seen him lately? He has a very deranged look in his eyes and his pallor isn’t very healthy looking either.

    Or maybe it is time for him to start those drugs. Just think. If he went on psych meds, he might realize that his behavior has been insane and change course. That has happened to a couple of my relatives. Who knows what a well measured dose of Zyprexa might do for the prez.

  • GRACIOUS – the few times I have been able to bring myself to spend a few minutes watching him, I have had the distinct impression that he is medicated AND coming apart at the seams.

    I keep thinking about how we didn’t find out about Reagan’s Alzheimer’s until he was safely out of office, and wondering how people are going to feel when the first books and interviews are done post-January 20, 2009, and we have it confirmed that it was taking a full-time staff to keep the man propped up and on-script, and scaring the crap out of us with the stories about just what was really going on behind the scenes.

    Would you trust this man with a chainsaw? Not so much…

  • Anne: No I would not trust that man with a chainsaw, but no fear, he has thermonuclear weapons, and he is going to bomb Iran. If we can get through the next eighteen months without a world wide catastrophe precipitated by our decider, I will begin to believe once again that God is merciful.

  • There’s a reason the GOP presidential candidates are channeling Reagan and not either Bush. Reagan’s the last relatively well-liked Republican president.

  • Hi,

    This General is an honorable man who has dedicated his life to OUR country and has the Bronze Star Medal for Valor

    ___

    Gen. David H. Petraeus
    Commanding General ~~ Multi-National Force – Iraq

    General David H. Petraeus assumed command of the Multi-National Force-Iraq on February 10th, 2007, following his assignment as the Commanding General, U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth. Prior to assuming command at Ft. Leavenworth, he was the first commander of the Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, which he led from June 2004 to September 2005, and the NATO Training Mission- Iraq, which he commanded from October 2004 to September 2005.

    That deployment to Iraq followed his command of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), during which he led the “Screaming Eagles” in combat throughout the first year of Operation Iraqi Freedom. His command of the 101st followed a year deployed on Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia, where he was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations of the NATO Stabilization Force and the Deputy Commander of the US Joint Interagency Counter-Terrorism Task Force-Bosnia. Prior to his tour in Bosnia, he spent two years at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, serving first as the Assistant Division Commander for Operations of the 82nd Airborne Division and then as the Chief of Staff of XVIII Airborne Corps.

    General Petraeus was commissioned in the Infantry upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1974. He has held leadership positions in airborne, mechanized, and air assault infantry units in Europe and the United States, including command of a battalion in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and a brigade in the 82nd Airborne Division. In addition, he has held a number of staff assignments: Aide to the Chief of Staff of the Army; battalion, brigade, and division operations officer; Military Assistant to the Supreme Allied Commander – Europe; Chief of Operations of the United Nations Force in Haiti; and Executive Assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

    General Petraeus was the General George C. Marshall Award winner as the top graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Class of 1983. He subsequently earned MPA and Ph.D. degrees in international relations from Princeton University’s Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, and later served as an Assistant Professor of International Relations at the US Military Academy. He also completed a fellowship at Georgetown University.

    Awards and decorations earned by General Petraeus include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Distinguished Service Medal, two awards of the Defense Superior Service Medal, four awards of the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal for valor, the State Department Superior Honor Award, the NATO Meritorious Service Medal, and the Gold Award of the Iraqi Order of the Date Palm.

    He is a Master Parachutist and is Air Assault and Ranger qualified. He has also earned the Combat Action Badge and French, British, and German Jump Wings.

    In 2005 he was recognized by the U.S. News and World Report as one of America’s 25 Best Leaders.

    LIAR…I do not think so.

    Peace!
    Steve
    General David Betray Us

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