After summoning reporters to the WH to question him, Bush petulantly refuses to answer questions

[DeepModem Mom]

Bush had nothing whatever to say. By scheduling this press conference at the precise hour Republicans who oppose his Iraq "surge" began to speak on the House floor, he hogged the TV screen, assuring that the dissenters would not be seen on air.

*

WP: A Man of Many Beliefs Gives a News Conference With Few Answers
By Dana Milbank
Thursday, February 15, 2007; Page A02


President Bush answered in non-answers or in generalities, as in "I believe Iran is an unbelievably vital nation." (By Chip Somodevilla--Getty Images)

President Bush must have heard that National Public Radio was reviving the 1950s program "This I Believe," because his news conference yesterday sounded like an audition.

On Iran: "I believe Iran is an unbelievably vital nation."...

***

Bush has always supported a faith-based initiative, but his recitation of beliefs in the East Room yesterday -- he listed no fewer than 18 principles he holds to be true -- sounded less like a question-and-answer session than a reading of the Nicene Creed. The only thing the president did not believe in was answering the questions he was asked.

When ABC News's Martha Raddatz asked whether he shares the intelligence community's view that Iraq is in a civil war, the Great Believer grew suddenly agnostic. "We've got people on the ground who don't believe it's a civil war," he dodged.

"Do you believe it's a civil war, sir?" Raddatz pressed.

"It's hard for me, you know, living in this beautiful White House, to give you a firsthand assessment," he punted....

***

The president seemed petulant in his refusal to answer questions; he was, after all, the one who summoned reporters to the White House for the purpose of questioning him. Probably, it was the tone of the questions that set him off: While Bush freely voiced his beliefs, the reporters seemed disinclined to accept his statements of faith.

Steve Holland of Reuters asked about Iranian weapons in Iraq. "What makes you so certain that the highest levels of Tehran's government is responsible?"

Bush admitted he doesn't know "whether or not the head leaders of Iran" were involved. "But here's my point: Either they knew or didn't know."...

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/02/14/AR2007021401593.html

[AndyA]

1. One of these days, Bush is going to call a press conference and the press isn't going to show up.

Wishful thinking.

It would serve the silly little wannabe Dicktater right if it happened, though. What a disgrace this man is. So many worthy people could use the oxygen.

[notadmblnd]

6. Oh, they'll show up

sit at his feet and look adoringly into his eyes, while he spews incoherent drivel. None of them would have the nads to boycott. It's a good dream you have there though.

[maine_raptor]

2. "I believe Iran is an unbelievably vital nation."...

But, But, but...........

If it's "unbelievable", how can you "believe" it??????????

Either you believe or you can't.

Edited to add: There, I've rung rings around him logically! (Always wanted to use the line. :rofl:)

[havocmom]

3. Wise up, talking heads! If someone won't answer your questions, shut them out of air time

They NEED the media, not the other way around! If they don't fucking answer the questions, DO NOT GIVE THEM A FORUM.

If talking heads think they can keep their jobs by being stenographers and sticking to the script, they aren't paying attention to corporate cost cutting via personnel! Why should the media moguls pay so many to say the same damn thing? If your voice isn't pertinent, you are OBSOLETE and a financial drain.

GET A CLUE, media heads! The pols need YOU, not the other way around. Practice some journalism and get relevant. Stop being fools & tools!

:rant:

[ChairmanAgnostic]

4. that rovian timing is priceless. But he erred.

that lackey press corpse is not taking kindly to being jobbed for 6 yrs. And you can bet that the GOPers brave enough to stand up to power and the WHite House, will make their stance known. (If only out of self-preservation in 2008).

Bush risks becoming ever more entrenched in his hilterian bunker with only a dog, condi and cheney to tell him he is great.

[Dr.Phool]

5. Pelosi should delay proceedings until he's off the air.

Even if he has to stand on the podium for an hour with his thumb up his ass.

[fed-up]

7. "hard for me"..."living in this beautiful White House"- out of touch f*ckwad n/t

[Virginia Dare]

8. So exactly why do they continue playing this charade?...n/t

[jayctravis]

9. Isn't that his freaking job????

"Do you believe it's a civil war, sir?" Raddatz pressed.

"It's hard for me, you know, living in this beautiful White House, to give you a firsthand assessment," he punted....

Isn't that his job...as the "war president"?