Newsview: Troops a favorite Bush audience

[sabra]

<<SNIP>>
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/news/special_packages/iraq/12006519.htm

Newsview: Troops a favorite Bush audience

TOM RAUM

Associated Press


WASHINGTON - From his May 2003 "Mission Accomplished" speech aboard an aircraft carrier, to a Thanksgiving dinner in Baghdad, to Tuesday night's speech surrounded by troops, President Bush has had no shortage of telegenic moments on Iraq - amid a nearly unrelenting string of bad news from the region.

His approval ratings at the lowest of his presidency, Bush sought to rally lagging public support for the war with a prime-time address at Fort Bragg, N.C.

The visit offered Bush one of his favorite backdrops: an audience of American troops.

The preference for friendly audiences is well established, demonstrated by Bush's repeated appearances before invitation-only "town hall" audiences to promote his Social Security plan. It's a pattern he followed in his 2004 re-election campaign.

Few audiences are as predictably friendly as military ones, duty bound to show respect for their commander in chief, often bursting into whoops.

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[meegbear]

1. The visit offered Bush one of his favorite backdrops:

a crowd that either blindly supports him or a crowd that has no choice but act like they support him.

[wallwriter]

17. Exactly. "no choice but act like they support him."

[Herkdrvr]

18. Depends

When I was overseas, it was voluntary to attend the President's visit...most who weren't doing something else went. When smaller facilities won't allow for a large crowd, the military will pick a limited number of people to go...usually volunteers who perform well at work.

[wallwriter]

19. But were you at liberty to boo or heckle without fear

of punishment or reprisal?

[billyoc]

2. Yes, Johnson liked speaking in front of the troops too.

Less hecklers. :)

Not that I'd ever want to make comparisons between Iraq and Vietnam... :eyes:

[LSparkle]

3. Will they be wearing color-coordinated uniforms

Like on the USS Lincoln? What will the banner(s) say? What will the Incompetent-In-Chief be sporting? Stay tuned for full coverage with Pat O'Brien on "Access RNC"!!!

Even occasions that should be somber and serious (we're talking about continuing casualties in a protracted war) have become pep talks and media events. It's National Enquirer TV.

[JuniperLea]

4. i just hope

there are no jumpsuits this time! i couldn't bear to see him all strapped up again!



EW!!!

[rocktivity]

7. Hi, Juniperx--I'm your worst nightmare!

:evilgrin:
rocknation

[Wildewolfe]

8. OMG

Absolutely no disrespect meant to any Navy folks... but first looking at that picture makes you think of him walking through 4 teletubbies and saluting (it's the colors!)...

[JuniperLea]

13. that's just nasty!

and way too wrong for words!

you are ornery! i think i like you, chica!

:p

[Herkdrvr]

16. The colors are actually used

On a carrier, the deck crew is color-coordinated. Different colors mean different jobs. Purple is fuels, yellow works the catapults, red is munitions, white is safety, etc.

[edbermac]

5. Tell them how you're gonna cut their benefits, George...

See how much they applaud...

[otohara]

6. I Hope LIke Everything Else - People Are Tired of This

use of happy bush supporters as his backdrop or troops who by now may not be so happy but have no choice to put on a happy face for CIC

[obnoxiousdrunk]

9. I just wish

that they all flip the bird at the same time. What a background that would be ?

[UpInArms]

10. interesting change occurred in 2002

http://www.answers.com/main/ntquery?jsessionid=82b0lo3jtf9hj?method=4&dsid=2222&dekey=Commander-in-Chief&gwp=8&curtab=2222_1&sbid=lc02b

excerpt:

Commander-in-Chief reserved for the President

On October 24, 2002, the U.S. Secretary of Defense announced that the title of Commander-in-Chief would be reserved for the President, and that armed forces CINCs would shorten their title to "commander." They are typically referred to as combatant commanders, heading what are now know as combatant commands. The title has taken on prominent importance in the political debate in the United States in the context of the "War against Terrorism" <2>.

(edited to fix link)

[Jack Rabbit]

11. This really pisses me off

The occasion calls for leveling with the American people. Bush and Rove are turning this into a campaign rally using servicemen as props.

This isn't a policy speech. This is exploitation.

[izzie]

12. Good place to go for Bush. They sort of like him plus they ----

had better play that they do.

[AlCzervik]

14. that pilot flew Bush onto the Lincoln was killed in combat

He likes the troops becasue they wont blast him while they're in uniform or serving.

[FastHorizon]

21. do you have a link for that?

haven't heard that before.... thanks

[AlCzervik]

22. here and you can also google it

He was such an excellent pilot that he was chosen to fly President Bush onto the deck of the USS Lincoln, where the president gave his famous speech declaring the end of combat in Iraq.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12857435&BRD=1078&PAG=461&dept_id=151026&rfi=6

[FastHorizon]

23. thanks

sad story... tried googling it but didn't get anything

[shantipriya]

15. Troops & Bush

Why is he the favorite of the troops? He is the one sending them to fight UNNECESSARY and illegal war.I don't understand.

[Rockholm]

20. I hope they boo the shit out of him.