The subdued response from the soldiers is backfiring!

[cynatnite]

The media is commenting on it and it's sounding more like the troops are not buying what he's selling. No matter what the soldiers were told, their quietness hurt more than anything else.

[KT2000]

1. Wow - hope they are safe

just hope they don't have to put up with retribution from the WH.

[leftofthedial]

8. you mean retribution like being sent to Iraq to suffer and die?

[lyonn]

2. Were soldiers told to not applaud?

Haven't heard but was surprised there was no applause when he entered. This is interesting.

Off subject but, Bush looked awfully red. Was thinking stroke, high blood pressure or something. Probably too much makeup. He was nothing but boring. Worst speech so far.

[cynatnite]

3. They were instructed to be subdued and serious before the speech

They couldn't clap when he entered because they were standing at attention.

But it came off rather differently on the screen, I thought. The room was just too quiet and as subdued as the soldiers were it just didn't play well. At least that's what I'm getting.

The press is going on too much about it to the point that they're overplaying it. People will be talking about it tomorrow.

[oasis]

4. Joe and Jill Sixpack think the troops didn't clap 'cause he flopped.

The Sixpacks have been programmed to seeing Bush repeatedly applauded by an adoring audience.

[Kurovski]

5. That's true. When he has in the past spoken in front of troops,

they would go up for grabs. Very vocal and supportive.

[gatorboy]

6. I didn't see the speech but there's a good way to tell if the soldiers

we're expected to applaud.

Did Bush use some of his patented pauses during his speech to wait for applause?

[nadinbrzezinski]

7. Yes... crickets

[MrScorpio]

9. You don't clap at attention

And it's not a political rally

This was what we call in the Air Force a "Commander's Call"

The soldiers and airmen in the audience were following the standard guidelines for a CC.

The media mouthpieces have not figured it out.

If you've ever worn a uniform, you knew exactly what was going on.