In today's presser, Bush almost broke his arm slapping himself on the back

[Rose Siding]

first the gratuitous, patronizing little smack down over a raised hand...

Let's see here, let's see here, John.

Q Sir, can you talk a little bit --

THE PRESIDENT: If you don't raise your hand, does that mean you don't have a question?

Q Not necessarily, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good, because you didn't raise your hand.

Q Could you talk a little bit about how you would like to see the landscape of the Middle East change over the next year? Can you talk about the specific changes you'd like to see across the region?

THE PRESIDENT: blah blah blah SNIP>...What's interesting -- and surely hasn't crept into your writing or reporting -- but for a while there was a period that people said, it's an impossible mission to have freedom take hold; I mean, what was he doing, how can he possibly think that these people can possibly accept democracy? I don't know if you remember that period of reporting or not. I vaguely do. And then look what's happening. And that's why I can say, John, that I'd like to see more progress because progress is being made. Afghanistan elections were a remarkable achievement in the march of history.

The elections that John was involved in Iraq, and was -- it must have been fantastic to be there. It was -- to think of the millions who defied the terrorists. And you remember the reporting that went on -- first of all, democracy may not be the kind of system that people agree to in Iraq, it's kind of a foreign concept to them, and coupled with the fact there's a lot of terrorists there who are getting ready to blow anybody up who goes and votes. And yet, millions -- I think it's over eight million now, I think, we've calculated -- went to the polls.

And what's interesting to me in Iraq is to see the posturing that's going on, kind of the positioning. It's not exactly like the Social Security debate, but it's posturing, it's politics. People are jockeying for position. And I say it's not like the Social Security debate because their, obviously, democracy isn't as advanced as ours. But nevertheless, there's -- people are making moves here and there. And you hear about the conferences and the discussions. To me, that's healthy. It's inspiring to see a fledgling democracy begin to take -- take wing right here in the 21st century in a part of the world where people didn't think there could be progress. I think there can be progress, and we'll continue to work that progress.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/02/20050217-2.html

No, George, it's "not exactly like the Social Security debate".

[AlCzervik]

1. oy! Look at this one....he is so clueless and it shows

like he really understands this question or what the reoprt is.


Let's see, Hillman.

Q Yes --

THE PRESIDENT: I had to call on Hillman, because -- to balance the thing here with the competing Texas newspapers.

Q Yes, Mr. President, have you, by any chance, received any sort of interim or preliminary report from the Robb Commission that's investigating intelligence failures? And did you seek the Commission's counsel on the scope of the duties for the new Intelligence Director?

THE PRESIDENT: I haven't -- that's -- no, I have not had an interim report. Maybe the national security people have -- or not. Hadley said he hasn't either. We have -- our people have gone to talk to the Robb-Silberman Commission when asked. But I've got great confidence in both those leaders to bring forth a very solid report. And so we haven't been involved in the process other than when asked to share opinion.

Q When might they report back?

THE PRESIDENT: Don't know -- don't know yet. Do we have any idea?

MR. HADLEY: Sometime next month.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, Hadley said, "Try to work me in the press conference," and I did. (Laughter.) Congratulations. Sometimes next month, he said.

It's an important report. And it's a relevant question today because of the announcement of Ambassador Negroponte. He will take, and I will take, the findings of the Robb-Silberman Commission very seriously. And I look forward to their conclusions, and look forward to working with the leaders and the Commission members to not only deal with the conclusions, but to address whatever conclusions they have in concrete action. And I appreciate the work.

But in terms -- no, and then I did not consult with either person and/or members as to whether or not -- the nature of the pick. I did it independently from the Commission.

[donheld]

2. Now if he'd just break his leg kicking his own ass i'd be pleased as punch

[driver8]

7. or his neck trying to pull his head out of his ass...n/t

[high density]

3. How does Bush know what they're writing?

I thought he didn't read newspapers or view other "filtered news" material.

[Rose Siding]

4. That was just another lie

If his lips are moving....

[ultraist]

5. Bush's speech is so disjointed, it's extremely difficult to follow

I wonder if this may be intentional to keep people from clearly understanding WTF he is saying.

He looked and sounded really freaky today. He had cotton mouth and looked really stressed out. I think he is on meds.

[driver8]

6. I never understand anything he says...

I think it's because most of the time he doesn't understand what he is supposed to be explaining.

Dumbfuck...

[oasis]

8. " The next time I 'raise my hand' to you El Chimpo, will be to give you

a one finger salute". That should have been the reporter's reply.