Bush won't "negotiate with himself"

[Champ]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In Washington, there are plenty of ways to say "no comment," but President George W. ahs Bush offered his own formulation, after he refused to "negotiate with myself in public."

Bush used the phrase to deflect a question on the future of Social Security (news - web sites) at a televised news conference.

"Now, the temptation is going to be, by well-meaning people such as yourself and others here, as we run up to the issue, to get me to negotiate with myself in public," Bush told the questioner on Monday. "To say, you know, "What's this mean, Mr. President? What's that mean?

"I'm not going to do that. I don't get to write the law. I'll propose a solution at the appropriate time," Bush said.

In essence, this Bushism means the president will discuss options on such issues as Social Security with members of Congress who write the law, but not with the media.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=856&ncid=856&e=1&u=/nm/20041220/od_uk_nm/oukoe_bush_negotiating

[KingChicken]

1. He said he won't negotiate with terrorists, maybe he'll stick to it... nt

[darkism]

93. Damn you beat me to it n/t

[Sara Beverley]

110. He doesn't have enough "self-respect" I don't blame him.

:shrug:

[meegbear]

2. don't discuss it with the people who will be affected by it ...

fucking asshole.

[musette_sf]

3. "Beavis likes to negotiate with himself"

"Yeah!.... hehhehhehmheh.... I usually win."

[quiet.american]

4. What an ass-clown

I promised myself I would stop using that phrase, but some promises are made to be broken.

[mojavekid]

20. Please don't stop, it fits * to a tee.

* is SUCH a train wreck, when viewed both as an individual, and with his Administration, that It has forced the creation an entirely new vernacular; that of the "Way Beyond Fuck Up"

...Ass Clown,,,I like it!

[quiet.american]

61. :) n/t

[Radio_Lady]

73. What does "n/t" mean?

[puddycat]

75. n/t = no text

[crispini]

5. What a wanker.

The worst thing about this pResident is his abuse of the English tongue. What a completely nitwitted, language-mangling, overblown, self-important YOBBO.

[Cocoa]

28. he is indeed a wanker

but not in public. :-)

[Pachamama]

68. What is a YOBBO?

:shrug:

[crispini]

86. Dork.

Yokel. Hoodlum. Weenie. Turd-head. :evilgrin: Ok, maybe that last one's not in the dictionary.

[Pachamama]

89. I thought it was an acronym...we have so many hear on DU, its hard keeping

up....not to mention, there are so many names to call that idiot...Most often, words fail me.

I woke up this morning and was in the kitchen with the kids making breakfast when my girlfriend who had been with me as a poll monitor in Ohio on election day called and said "turn on the radio or tv and listen to our despicable leader"....I did, and despicable is too kind of a word and "leader" is completely inappropriate to call him...

He's an embarressment....a disgrace... :puke:

[HarveyBrooks]

97. Well...

maybe not the WORST thing! I can think of a few hundred worse things about Captain Pinhead.

[tavalon]

101. Oh, God, I wish that were the worst thing about him!

I would say the people who have surrounded him and pull his puppet strings are the worst thing about him. Without them, he is just another moron, with them he is a very dangerous moron.

[AlexHamilton]

103. hmm

That's bad, but probably not the WORST thing about him. ;)

Alex
Impeachment by the People

[LynnTheDem]

6. The dictator made it clear:

That's the interesting thing about being the president. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel like I owe anybody an explanation."
--GWB 02/20/02

[JohnOneillsMemory]

104. Hitler knew that dictatorship appealed to the fearful and confused.

"People whose lives are barren and insecure seem to show a greater willingness to obey than people who are self-sufficient and self-confident. To the frustrated, freedom from responsibility is more attractive than freedom from restraint. They are eager to barter their independence for relief of the burdens of willing, deciding and being responsible for inevitable failure. They willingly abdicate the directing of their lives to those who want to plan, command and shoulder all responsibility."
~Eric Hoffer “The True Believer”

and Hitler's version from Mein Kampf in 1923-

"The masses of the people prefer the ruler to the suppliant and are filled with a stronger sense of mental security by a teaching that brooks no rival than by a teaching which offers them a liberal choice. They have very little idea of how to make such a choice and thus are prone to feel abandoned. Whereas they feel very little shame at being terrorized intellectually and are scarcely conscious of the fact that their freedom as human beings is impudently abused...physical intimidation has its significance for the mass as well as the individual...For the successes which are thus obtained are taken by the adherents as a triumphant symbol of the righteousness of their own cause; while the beaten opponent very often loses faith in the effectiveness of any further resistance."-

[stellanoir]

7. possible translations

-he has no conscience

-he's nothing more than a stubborn bastard

-he has no capacity for introspection whatsoever

-he's incapable of contemplating complexity

-he takes his instructions directly from God

eom.

[kysrsoze]

12. Good news is he refuses to take advice from that idiot

Uhhhh...at least I think it's good news.

[louis-t]

25. You forgot

-too stubborn to do the right thing.

[leftchick]

8. He does not negotiate with ANYONE!

why the hell would he leave himself out? :crazy:

[uppityperson]

14. Exactly!

[driver8]

34. Maybe he's afraid he'll outsmart himself... n/t

[MaineYooper]

43. it'd be a battle of wits between two unarmed foes. n/t

[Demeter]

60. You Overestrimate Him, Them , Whatever!

[zann725]

90. LMAO! Thanks!

n/t

[AlinPA]

9. Don't give Bush** credit for that stupid remark; his speechwriters

or KKKarl Rove thought it was cute. (I don't know who first used "KKKarl Rove" here, but thank you, I use it all the time when referring to that maggot Rove)

[mojavekid]

96. In Suskind's book "The Price of Loyalty"

Sec. Of Treasury Paul O'Neill quotes Bush as using this same phrase in regards to Bush's first tax cut. O'Neill was trying to get Bush to accept some conditions on the 1.2 trillion $ tax cut. It was right after O'Neill went to work for Bush - in 2000.

A great read, I had to stop reading books on Bush for a while...giving me high blood pressure and all....ugh.

[JohnOneillsMemory]

105. Psy-ops tactic: Imply the press are tricking him with those dang questions

Um, I guess the press hates America, too.

This tactic was used to demonize the press when Reagan showed his senile dementia.

"How dare those intrusive know-it-alls make our beloved cowboy grandpa look dumb. They must be working for the Commies or the Devil...AGAIN!!"

It was also a tactic for explaining 'Vietnam Syndrome' or the public's unwillingness to commit mass-murder as economic policy for a brief time. "The press lost the war for us by bumming us out with all the carnage and horror."

[Benhurst]

10. I guess he learned this as the divinely selected leader of

our once-great nation. In its increasingly isolated role on the world stage, "The World's Only Super Power" has decided to play with itself.

[kayell]

11. Wonderful, we have a pResident who needs to be translated into English

apparently we do need to adopt an official language or two, or at least require that top government officials speak a recognizable language.

[klyon]

49. really that press conference was pitiful

A more complete lack of clarity I have never seen before from a leader of anything in my life.

KL

[Digit]

59. As I listened, I kept saying, "what an idiot, what an idiot"

I need to listen to that stuff when other dems are around so I can make sure I heard it right.
The journalists were sucking up, big time, but we already know about them. Disgusting.

[pretzel4gore]

66. he said 'I'm optimistic about achieving results'....!?

c'mon...he's the fukkin president! and all them goofy reporters, earnestly taking notes...mygod what is going on?
go here to see the snl and news conference videos
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2004/12/20.html#a1114

[barb162]

13. he was his usual inarticulate and very repetitive self in the

press conference. He was deflecting a lot too.

[0007]

15. Like the black sheriff in "Blazing Saddles" that held himself

hostage by putting a gun to his own head.

[IHeart1993]

16. I thought he was already listening to the .....

...voices in his head. Isn't it the voice of god in head that got us into the Iraq war in the first place?

[creeksneakers2]

17. He also said

"I can't explain it because then I'd have to negotiate with myself."

Bush opened up the press conference with "happy holidays." The wingers will have to put Bush in those who wish to take away Christmas.

[truthisfreedom]

19. how the bush stole Christmas.

[driver8]

35. He should have said, "I can't explain what I don't understand" n/t

[forgethell]

18. This phrase

did not originate with *, so it cannot be a Bushism. I've heard it used before, although I don't remember where. What it means is, he's not going to start offering compromises on his position until he sees what the other side is willing to give.

Actually, wouldn't you like to see our side as resolute??

[jimshoes]

21. It should be pointed out

to pResident nitwit, the difference between negotiating and explaining. He seems to be confused with the two words.

[fryguy]

22. "I won't answer questions at a press conference...."

How revolting! Guess we really do have a star chamber running the country.....

[malachi]

23. Then, perhaps, he might go fuck himself.

[Lisa]

24. and they found the perfect photo to accompany it!

[PDX Bara]

27. Does anyone else remember...

William Bendix in "The Life of Riley" on '50's television? That's what this expression reminds me of. Guess I'm getting pretty darned old!

[BrotherBuzz]

What a revolting development!

;)

[yorkiemommie1]

42. yeah, life of riley/ william bendix

same expression, but not even as smart!

[marylanddem]

99. Yep, I remember Life of Riley

They were always walking past Brooklyn Dodgers stadium. Riley was kind of a stumblebum, like a-hole - except he was human, not human excrement.

[StaggerLee]

102. William Bendix

Usually played loveable characters, wether it be a Marine on Wake Island or just a regular American working slob.

Man he was good.

:)

[cliss]

26. I just got done reading another thread about Bush's

press conference from this morning. It was a long litany of irritation, anger and flat-out revulsion for the man.

As I was reading the thread and BeelzeBush's idiotic comments, the thought occurred to me that he's conveying intense, heart-stopping fear, and that's what is resonating with us. Bush is scared TO DEATH, and we sense this and become angry as a result.

Why would he be scared? The truth is, they know Iraq is now Dante's Inferno. They really don't know what to do next. They are not sure which action to take next.

The economy is tanking, retail sales have not been very good.

In short, they are sitting on the Titanic, holding the steering wheel. They have just sighted an iceberg up ahead.....

[sled]

29. Yup

I've seen it, for quite awhile, now...bubbleized Bush...

[trixie]

47. I saw the horror

I couldn't believe it, I still can't believe it. This man acts like a complete idiot, he reminds me of a know-it-all drunk at the bar. He has the same mannerisms and stumbling speech.

[Pachamama]

71. Well, it's because he's a "Dry Drunk"...n/t

[CoffeeCat]

77. Ohhh....that's such a good description...

Bush is totally like the know-it-all, foolish drunk at the bar.

It's official folks...a rich, satanic, war-mongering version of Cliff Claven is running the country!

[not fooled]

108. yeah, but Cliff was kind of lovable (sometimes)...

...unlike *fuck, who is uniformly repellant (to anyone with a functioning brain).

[Pachamama]

70. Agree on everything you said - except one thing: They aren't steering the

ship....This administration is the ICEBERG!

:scared:

[CoffeeCat]

87. And Bush is Leo "Jack" Decaprio

...Bush is out on the ship's bow right now, screaming, "I won't negotiate with myself, but I am the king of the world!"

[shanti]

85. yes

don't forget cheney's bunker...i don't think he was building it just for the hell of it.

[Tracer]

30. I doubt that he even knows the meaning of "negotiate".

Trying to comprehend the meaning of what this colossal nitwit says, makes my head hurt.

To me, "negotiating with oneself" could possibly mean weighing the different possiblities or outcomes of a course of action. But I doubt that he meant that.

[bear425]

31. Anybody else notice the typo...

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In Washington, there are plenty of ways to say "no comment," but President George W. ahs Bush offered his own formulation, after he refused to "negotiate with myself in public."


WTF: George W. ahs Bush

Wonder what the ahs stands for? hmmm.

[NYC]

64. Phonetic spelling of the word

"ass". Some people pronounce A's differently. That was George W. ass Bush -- with an accent.

[rocktivity]

79. Hee hee! Reminds me of a line from the movie Brigadoon

"Do you have witches where you come from?"

"Yes, but we pronounce it a little differently."

:headbang:
rocknation

[CoffeeCat]

76. I betcha anything that "typo" was a reporter screwing around...

I used to be a reporter in college. It didn't happen every day, but it was not unusual for reporters to send articles to editors with an editorial comment embedded within the article.

Sometimes, I'd write a question or make a comment. Of course, these words would be edited out.

I remember typing in, "Gee, ya think???" next to a quote from someone who said something ridiculous.

Maybe this is one of those moments.

Ahs=ass

I bet the media despises Bush. The administration plays hardball with reporters who don't report as a paid, in-house public-relations strategist would.

[Pachamama]

88. George W. "ah-s" Bush.....too funny....think its coincidink? Not me....

Pretty funny and soooo true....what an ass!

[George W. Hayduke]

32. It's good

that he knows better than to "negotiate" with himself in public...

I just hope he washes himself before and after.

AND FOR GOD'S SAKE, CLOSE THE DOOR!!!

[Dulcinea]

33. Isn't that just another way of saying....

"I don't give a flying f*ck?"

[peterh]

36. yep…or....it’s my way or the highway….

It appears the twit has used this line a few times….
Most recently last week….me thinks it’s his politically correct way (if ya can call it that) of saying “it’s my way or the highway”….I think the twit already has his plan for SS and when the repugs in congress fashion theirs, it will be taken to Cheney’s cellar and altered to fit the desired….


http://kdka.com/topstories/topstories_story_351114925.html

"The great desire for people in Congress is for me to negotiate with myself," the president said. "And therefore, I will continue to articulate principles that I think are important and reach out to members of both parties to fashion a plan that solves the problem."


http://www.forbes.com/2003/02/25/cz_jn_0225beltway_print.html

Later, he added: "Here's the problem in this town, and I didn't take long to learn it. The temptation is to get the president to negotiate with himself. And the minute I negotiate with myself, I lose.... I want what I proposed, and I intend to work for it."


http://slate.msn.com/id/1007220/

And Bush has made a few comments that suggest deal-making is what he ultimately has in mind. After a meeting with congressional leaders several weeks ago, a reporter asked whether he'd be willing to give ground on tax cuts. "I'm certainly not willing to negotiate with myself," Bush replied. He's right that it makes no tactical sense to concede anything unilaterally or sooner than he has to.

[MasonJar]

37. Why negotiate when one has that never erring gut.

[PapaJoe]

38. Well put!

This has to be the great public debate of all. How about the Post Turtle doing something about the debt first? I sure as hell to not want him to do any more fixing on social security>

[jbnow]

39. Won't negotiate with himself?

If I were him I wouldn't even talk to myself, let alone negotiate

[Rose Siding]

40. LOL- and I certainly wouldn't sleep with myself!...

if I were him.

[KennedyGuy]

41. What an ass

I cannot believe that this boob is actually president.

[Bouncy Ball]

44. And CERTAINLY not with the American people

whom he WORKS FOR.

No, he doesn't give a shit. And how multiple personality disordered DOES he sound saying that?

I would laugh, but it's all just too sad.

[Rose Siding]

45. He thinks he's solved Medicare: "the logic is irrefutable"

from an update of this article...

snip>
Bush, asked about the need to address Medicare's funding problems, said those issues were tackled when the prescription drug plan was added.

"It introduced market forces for the first time, provided a prescription drug coverage for our seniors, which I believe will be cost-effective," Bush said. "I recognize some of the actuaries haven't come to that conclusion yet, but the logic is irrefutable."

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&u=/ap/20041220/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_social_security

[Rosco T.]

46. I can think of one thing he could do with himself... n/t

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

48. This must mean he negotiates with himself in private?

I'd like to be a fly on the wall with that one. Hell, it's be better that Nixon talking to paintings.

[Lisa]

52. sometimes he talks to that bust of Churchill in the Oval Office

And sometimes it talks back.

"Sometimes Churchill will talk back, sometimes he won't, depending upon the stress of the moment, but he is a constant reminder of what a great leader is like."

Washington, D.C., July 16, 2001

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

55. Can you say psychopath?

[coreystone]

50. My first response is extremely Freudian, but, I'll let that go...

for now! :silly:

"Now, the temptation is going to be, by well-meaning people such as yourself and others here, as we run up to the issue, to get me to negotiate with myself in public," Bush told the questioner on Monday."

Well, let me see. George doesn't want to negotiate in public. Is this some sort DID, or MPD kind of thing. I could certainly appreciate any "private" sessions which he may, or not be having regarding his attempt to merge. However, he is the President of the United States; the leader of this country, and the members of Congress and himself are voted upon by the PEOPLE of the United States. It is his UTMOST responsibility to communicate to the PEOPLE of the United States, by communicating to the media, who MAY allow the citizenry to understand what the "lawmakers" will be writing in their laws - both REPUBLICAN bodies of Congress.

[Swamp Rat]

51. HAHAHA!!! Whatta maroon!

:D

His handlers have used his stupidity do deflect questions quite well, thus far.

[donheld]

53. Bush doesn't talk to himself

He sees no sense in talking to an idiot.

[mia]

54. George W. "ah's Gollum" Bush video

This thread reminds me of a video that was made about a year ago.
It would be funny if it weren't so true.

http://flash.bushrecall.org/
Watch it until the end.

Bush must do a lot of negotiating (rationalizing) with himself in order to get through the day.

[CoffeeCat]

56. But Mr. President, I have a follow-up question...

Yes, Mr. President, we understand you won't be 'negotiating with yourself'. However, when you do get around to 'negotiating with yourself, will you be using your left hand or your right hand?

Assjack.

[VegasWolf]

57. bush can't talk no good. n/t

[lonestarnot]

58. Daher daher daher...cough spit slobber dumshit!

HOW COULD THE PEOPLE THAT DID VOTE FOR THIS:puke: REALLY HAVE VOTED FOR HIM.....THEY DIDN'T! Please tell me someone has found evidence that would bring them down.

[Disturbed]

62. He really hates to speak to the press.

why doesn't he just refuse and offer his real feelings toward the press, the Amerikan people and the world?

[lonestarnot]

63. That would be it...."Our Great Moral Leader"

I put copies of this picture on memo from commomdreams on flier and distrubuted to students who are ripped of the pell grant and reductions to current holders. Didn't get to enjoy the expressions on their faces, but had a great time blogging them.

[Sugarbleus]

92. I nominate this photo for the National Archives. It should be the one

that gets framed and hung next to all past presidents, for posterity.. LOL

Oh, don't forget to "capture" it for the presidential oil painting portrait also. :evilgrin:

[NVMojo]

65. ummmm ...WTF!!!!!?????!!!!!!

[LynnTheDem]

67. My hubby just about peed himself laughing when I told him

that bush refused to "negotiate with himself in public".

What a joy to hear him laugh; :) he's not laughed much the past couple years. :(

[ginnyinWI]

100. the Bush presidency: the gift that just keeps on giving. n/t

[Redleg]

69. Bush is a stupid fuck.

Jeebus. I am just amazed that people think he's the cat's ass.

[catzies]

72. I can't believe no one's brought this little gem up yet:

(from the transcript http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/12/20041220-3.html )

...when asked about Social Security:

And so I am -- I just want to try to condition you. I'm not doing a very good job, because the other day in the Oval when the press pool came in I was asked about this -- a series of question on -- a question on Social Security with these different aspects to it. And I said, I'm not going to negotiate with myself. And I will negotiate at the appropriate time with the law writers. And so thank you for trying. The principles I laid out in the course of the campaign, and the principles we laid out at the recent economic summit are still the principles I believe in. And that is nothing will change for those near our Social Security; payroll -- I believe you were the one who asked me about the payroll tax, if I'm not mistaken -- will not go up.

And I know there's a big definition about what that means. Well, again, I will repeat. Don't bother to ask me. {Instantly backpedals nervously} Or you can ask me. I shouldn't -- I can't tell you what to ask. It's not the holiday spirit. (Laughter.)

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

80. I watched this whole thing on CNN- That guy is on some serious drugs

Even though he is the Chimp and is pretty weird in general, I'm surprised at his erratic and psychotic behavior on T.V. in front of the world.
Someone in the press has to focus on Chimpy's freaked out answers and twitches and contorted facial expressions and write an article with a scientific analysis by some well respected psychologist.

The guy can't lead himself much less negotiate with himself.
How's he supposed to lead the Murkin peeple or take over the world (like he wants to) ?

He needs to be committed to a place where he can't hurt any more innocent people.

[catzies]

81. I was listening on NPR, and driving to work. I thought I imagined it.

:hangover: and all. I don't have my first coffee til I get to work.

[WorseBeforeBetter]

113. This is a start...

Bush on the Couch: Inside the Mind of the President
by Justin A. Frank

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0060736704/qid=1103693716/sr=8-1/ref=pd_csp_1/102-7478072-7416157?v=glance&s=books&n=507846

From the Product Description:

"--Bush's false sense of omnipotence, instilled within him during childhood and emboldened by his deep investment in fundamentalist religion

--The president's history of untreated alcohol abuse, and the questions it raises about denial, impairment, and the enabling streak in our culture

--The growing anecdotal evidence that Bush may suffer from dyslexia, ADHD, and other thought disorders

--His comfort living outside the law, defying international law in his presidency as boldly as he once defied DUI statutes and military reporting requirements

--His love-hate relationship with his father, and how it triggered a complex and dangerous mix of feelings including yearning, rivalry, anger, and sadism

--Bush's rigid and simplistic thought patterns, paranoia, and megalomania -- and how they have driven him to invent adversaries so that he can destroy them"

Just don't read it before bed!

[NIGHT TRIPPER]

114. that looks like a great book !

I will have to pick up a copy!

[atommom]

95. Eek. Just had a flashback to an old Robin Williams routine....

where he was having a frantic mock argument with his split personalities, culminating in, "WELL, F*** YOU, WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM ME, ANYWAY?!"

It's not as funny when it's the assclown-in-chief... :evilfrown:

[Radio_Lady]

74. Maybe he'll just play with himself in public...

[dkofos]

78. Such a fucking dumass

[olddad56]

82. He certainly doesn't have to worry about outsmarting himself.

[shanti]

83. good lord

that's some bullllshit, lol.

more smoke and mirrors, snakeoil salesman. he never fails to amaze me with his repartee, just like the governator. :eyes:

[Catherine Vincent]

84. ...

Bush* won't negotiate with himself because of mexed messages from the internets.

[Sugarbleus]

91. I nearly stroked out during his press conference...........

I've run out of adjectives for him. :hurts:

Please tell me I'm reading a Tom Clancy Novel and all of this will disappear when I finish the book!

[Tight_rope]

94. I'm too damn tired to comment on this fool!

[texpatriot2004]

98. Well, he won't negotiate with himself, & he won't negotiate with

anyone else either. I don't think he knows how to negotiate...that's a high level cognitive skill.

[DesertRat]

106. I can't believe that this is still the Chimp's first term

Wake me when it's Jan. 2009....

[StaggerLee]

107. And remember kids

* has the nuclear football.

Yey.

[Seldona]

109. What he was really saying is,

'Screw you, you will find out my plan when I tell you'.

And it was not directed at the reporters, it was directed at us.

What an arrogant piece of garbage.

This bastard really believes he does not have to answer to anyone, about anything, at any time.

It reminds me of the comments he made to another reporter about the fact that HE makes history, and others simply write about it.

Why have the American people elected a man who really and truly considers himself dictator?

Will they ever realize again that *Bush is simply a CIVIL SERVANT and not some man-god who answers to no one?

Neocons are truly scary people.

[Mr_Spock]

111. Bush won't stop "playing with himself"

Is this psychotic moron from another planet or what?

[driver8]

115. He is from another planet -- it's called Texas! n/t

[Chicago Democrat]

112. Will he go fuck himself?

No, too busy fuckin us!

[lonestarnot]

119. How 'bout yankate himself?

[OhioChick]

116. This title just speaks for itself....n/t

[shockra]

117. Negotiating with oneself...

Is called thinking.

Nope, he certainly hasn't been caught doing that in public. He gets others to do it for him in private.

[Champ]

118. I agree

Welcome to DU :hi:

[dddem]

120. I can't even watch him speak

CSPAN showed the press conference, and I watched for 2 or 3 minutes, but I can't stand listening to him. He is probably the worst speaker in the history of the entire world. Aside from the fact that I disagree with everything he says, the way he says it makes him look like a complete bufoon. Don't the taxpayers employ a diction expert that can work with the guy?