# GWB's Prepackaged Press Conference Today **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [March 16, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834 "2005-03-16T16:35:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/1 "2005-03-16T16:35:30Z")
Well. We all know that every question he was asked had already been submitted to Karl Rove and the PNAC guys well before the pre-planned Press Conference. So Karl and PNAC boys had already briefed the President exactly how to answer every question. And yet, the American people (at least 52% of them who put that parrot in the White House again), buy this bullshit that has been packaged and presented by “for-profit" media. He can recite his reasons for what he does, including outsourcing of torture. I don’t need nor buy his (profit motivated friends’) reasons. Gore Vidal once said something to the effect that in this age of “manufacturing consent” assisted by the mainstream media, it is no wonder that the Americans go every four years to the polls and vote against their own best interest. Subject of this debate: Did you buy anything that Bush said in the Press Conference today? Or was the cash register profits of his cronies ringing in your brain as he uttered every pre-written scripted word? ---
**Author:** ![Brutus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/91b2a8/32.png) [@Brutus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brutus)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 4:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/2 "2005-03-16T16:44:12Z")
> [@Wake up call](#): > > Subject of this debate: Did you buy anything that Bush said in the Press Conference today? Or was the cash register profits of his cronies ringing in your brain as he uttered every pre-written scripted word? Here’s an idea (though it will take work on your part past whipping up some stupid rant): What was said during the press conference that you take issue with? ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/3 "2005-03-16T17:42:44Z")
> [@Wake up call](#): > > Well. We all know that every question he was asked had already been submitted to Karl Rove and the PNAC guys well before the pre-planned Press Conference. So Karl and PNAC boys had already briefed the President exactly how to answer every question. No, we don’t all know it. I certainly imagine Mr. Bush thoroughly prepares himself, but I’m not aware of any mechanism that is pre-screening the questions he’s asked. Are you contending there is such a mechanism? ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/4 "2005-03-16T18:30:22Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > No, we don’t all know it. > > I certainly imagine Mr. Bush thoroughly prepares himself, but I’m not aware of any mechanism that is pre-screening the questions he’s asked. > > Are you contending there is such a mechanism? Here’s a clue… [http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/003773.php](http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/003773.php) > [@](#): > > Apparently the White House failed to stage manage a glorious photo op for Bush today in Germany when the host government refused to agree with a White House request that a planned Town Hall appearance be stacked with only friendly questioners using questions screened in advance. Since the White House used this tactic at all of Bush’s public appearances during the fall campaign, and since Condi got away with a selected audience and pre-screened questions in France last week, the White House obviously felt that they could get away with this again in another country. ---
**Author:** ![rjung](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/45deac/32.png) [@rjung](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rjung)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/5 "2005-03-16T18:35:37Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > I certainly imagine Mr. Bush thoroughly prepares himself, but I’m not aware of any mechanism that is pre-screening the questions he’s asked. Dunno if the press conference in the OP was pre-screened, but it’s not as if there isn’t a [precedent](http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article1922.htm) for it from this administration: > [@](#): > > Communications director Dan Bartlett said this White House uses news conferences more sparingly than other types of presidential events, because “if you have a message you’re trying to deliver, a news conference can go in a different direction.” > > “In this case, **we know what the questions are going to be, and those are the ones we want to answer,** ” Bartlett said. “We think the public will see the thought and care and attention he’s given to a lot of the different questions that are being asked about the diplomatic side and the military side and the potential post-Iraq issue. These are all legitimate questions that he has answers for and wants to talk about.” > > –_Washington Post,_ March 7, 2003 It’s also interesting to note that apparently Bush does _less_ preparing for press conferences than his predecessors did: > [@](#): > > Aides said the idea was first discussed Tuesday, and said Bush spent two to four hours preparing, between Wednesday night and yesterday afternoon. Clinton had formal briefing books and Kumar’s research suggests some presidents blocked out whole days to prepare. One thing the OP doesn’t address – how many gay escorts were in attendance? 😉 ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/6 "2005-03-16T18:40:47Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > Here’s a clue… > > [The Left Coaster: Germans Refuse White House Request For Bush To Appear At Stage-Managed Town Hall Event](http://www.theleftcoaster.com/archives/003773.php) This doesn’t refer to a press conference, rather a town hall meeting. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [March 16, 2005, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/7 "2005-03-16T18:48:12Z")
> [@PatriotX](#): > > This doesn’t refer to a press conference, rather a town hall meeting. A rose by any other name is still a rose… It was still an oppurtunity for a group of people to ask Bush questions was it not? ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 8:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/8 "2005-03-18T08:43:15Z")
> [@Brutus](#): > > Here’s an idea (though it will take work on your part past whipping up some stupid rant): What was said during the press conference that you take issue with? OK. Brutus. Here we go. Let’s have some fun. Here are a couple of the clown’s jewels. I have plenty more from the mouth of this dork. Let me know if you want more. > [@From GWB’s Press Conference](#): > > Our troops will come home when Iraq is capable of defending herself. But I say “anxious to come home,” every – nobody – people want their troops home, but they don’t want their troops home if it affects the mission. And completing the mission means making sure the Iraqis can defend themselves. But will Iraq ever be capable of defending herself? Exactly when that’ll be? Come on now. Since we are the ones who decide when Iraq is capable of defending herself, we can be there for 5, 10, 20, 30 or beyond 40 years until we decide whether they are capable of defending themselves (or when they are going to run out of oil). Come on. Who are you kidding? It is over 40 years we have been saying that it is the “sovereign” House of Saud who has “asked us” to be there “to protect” their sovereignty” !!! Give me a break. It is the Oil, stupid, just as Clinton said “It is the Economy, stupid”. > [@From GWB’s Press Conference](#): > > I think people like the idea of being able to take some of their own money – in other words, government says, you can decide, as opposed to, we’ll decide for you, you get to decide if this is in your interest. And you get to decide whether you want to set some of your money aside in an account that will earn a better rate of return than that which will be earned in the Social Security system. That’s an important part of making sure the system works for the individual. Yeah, and the government can also say: there is Las Vegas, take your week’s paycheck and place a bet on a Blackjack table. It is you who can decide. But if you don’t know how to play Blackjack, that is your problem. Go hire Merrill Lynch investment advisors with your miserly paycheck to teach you how to play. Of course, what they don’t tell you is that the Merrill Lynch fees far outweigh your entire paycheck. So, who is winning here? ---
**Author:** ![duffer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duffer/32/1026_2.png) [@duffer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/duffer)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 9:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/9 "2005-03-18T09:04:10Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > A rose by any other name is still a rose… > > It was still an oppurtunity for a group of people to ask Bush questions was it not? Well, as long as we have a thread open to bash Bush, who cares what the OP entailed, right? Remember the scene in _The Perfect Storm_ near the end when the boat was rising and falling in really high waves? That’s how I feel about you based on posts political/non-political. **Wake up call** , here’s a wake up call. (Heh, I have a feeling you’ll see that often based on this). When you want to Pit Bush, put it in the Pit. I see little, well actually nothing, in your OP that is worthy of a debate. As you state in your last line, you have your mind made up about it and just want to bitch about it. Very acceptable here, considering it’s Bush, but wrong forum and lame attempt to appear witty. YMMV, IMHO, and all other qualifiers needed. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/10 "2005-03-18T14:22:24Z")
> [@Reeder](#): > > A rose by any other name is still a rose… But a gardenia is not. > [@Reeder](#): > > It was still an oppurtunity for a group of people to ask Bush questions was it not? Does ‘press conference’ = ‘an oppurtunity for any group of people to ask questions’? Or is the definition of the word ‘press’ somehow involved? You’re getting to be as bad as Rumsfeld. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/11 "2005-03-18T14:24:11Z")
As Mr. Limbaugh says, “Words mean things.” ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/12 "2005-03-18T16:54:50Z")
Quoted Limbaugh (or Franken) should get your GD posting priviliges revoked for a week. You’re right that there’s a huge difference between press conferences and these fake ‘town hall’ PR activities. Though the whole ‘Gannon/Guckert’ thing brings that into question. ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/13 "2005-03-18T17:46:22Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Quoted Limbaugh (or Franken) should get your GD posting priviliges revoked for a week. Confucius’ rectification of names is just so over done and wouldn’t have nearly the same impact on **Reedy**. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [March 18, 2005, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/14 "2005-03-18T17:58:55Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Quoted Limbaugh (or Franken) should get your GD posting priviliges revoked for a week. > > You’re right that there’s a huge difference between press conferences and these fake ‘town hall’ PR activities. Though the whole ‘Gannon/Guckert’ thing brings that into question. I don’t mean to get into a hijack, but why the hell should quoting Al Franken a) be equated with quoting Rush Limbaugh, and b) be seen as some kind of negative? Al Franken is an intelligent and politically minded person who trades in facts. He doesn’t lie or distort, except when clearly engaged in satire. If he makes errors, he corrects them. I could see an argument made that citing him is essentially citing a secondary source, since he relies on information or expert opinion generated by others. But you appear to be suggesting that citing Franken would be wrong for other reasons. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/15 "2005-03-19T20:11:08Z")
I would suspect others might say the same thing about Limbaugh. I trust neither of them. It’s the only sane thing to do. In the end, they’re both commentators with different viewpoints. That is, they’re giving you their opinions of the data. Stick to the data yourself and leave the middleman out. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/16 "2005-03-19T21:08:08Z")
I know the Bush team demanded to pre-screen questions at the “town hall” presidential debate last year, but I don’t think they do the same at WH press conferences. Reporters do not have to submit their questions in advance and can ask what they like – provided they get called on. (Of course, Helen Thomas was pushed to the back of the room in 2003 and rarely gets called on any more.) ---
**Author:** ![PatriotX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/c4cdca/32.png) [@PatriotX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PatriotX)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2005, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/17 "2005-03-19T21:26:02Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > I would suspect others might say the same thing about Limbaugh. > > I trust neither of them. It’s the only sane thing to do. In the end, they’re both commentators with different viewpoints. That is, they’re giving you their opinions of the data. Stick to the data yourself and leave the middleman out. Limbaugh is intentionally and consciously funny with the facts. That’s the great joy in listening to him. ---
**Author:** ![Wake\_up\_call](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/dec6dc/32.png) [@Wake\_up\_call](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wake_up_call)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2005, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/gwbs-prepackaged-press-conference-today/294834/18 "2005-03-21T14:37:36Z")
> [@duffer](#): > > Well, as long as we have a thread open to bash Bush, who cares what the OP entailed, right? It is not about Bush bashing. It is the whole charade, in which Bush really plays an insignificant part. [Here](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/03/20/arts/20Rich.html?incamp=article_popular_2) is another man’s opinion about the current state of Fake News. It was published yesterday in the New York Times.