Did you watch Bush* with Howard today? The last question and answer are

[LittleApple81]

good. Obviously, asked by an Australian journalist.

Q Mr. Howard and yourself reaffirmed the commitment that Australia and the U.S. have to staying the course in Iraq. But you would be aware the alternative prime minister in Australia, Mark Latham, has promised to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq by Christmas --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes.

Q -- if he wins the election. What signal --

PRESIDENT BUSH: Yes, yes --

Q What signal would that send to the Iraqi people and the other members of the coalition?

PRESIDENT BUSH: I think that would be disastrous. It would be a disastrous decision for the leader of a great country like Australia to say that, we're pulling out. It would dispirit those who love freedom in Iraq. It would say that the Australian government doesn't see the hope of a free and democratic society leading to a peaceful world. It would embolden the enemy who believe that they can shake our will. See, they want to kill innocent life because they think that the Western world and the free world is weak; that when times get tough we will shirk our duty to those who long for freedom, and we'll leave. And I -- anyway.

Q Mr. President, can I ask you and Prime Minister Howard -

PRESIDENT BUSH: No, you can't anymore. Thank you all very much for coming.

[MallRat]

1. Why is that a good question?

It just gave Bush another opportunity to break off a few more "they hate our freedom" riffs.

Or are you referring to the very end of the interview, where Bush slaps down the media with disgust... AGAIN?

[LittleApple81]

4. I think it was good because he could barely answer it coherently.

He became disconbobulated.
for example:

See, they want to kill innocent life because they think that the Western world and the free world is weak; that when times get tough we will shirk our duty to those who long for freedom, and we'll leave. And I -- anyway.


---You don't kill innocent life (you kill innocent people--innocent life might be a plant, animal, etc.) Then he could not even finish his last "thought". Really flustered.

[MallRat]

5. Oh, I got it.

I guess it's more of a "you had to hear it to appreciate it" kind of thing.

Although in print, the bumbling still comes through pretty clearly.

Imagine if he'd asked a REALLY tough question, like about lawyering up in the Valerie Plame investigation?

-MR

[sui generis]

2. well forn palsy ain't his strongist sweet

[rumguy]

3. He cut that line of questioning off quick

God it would be so sweet if Howard was voted out next....