The Honeymoon Is Over, Mr. Bush

[WilliamPitt]

The honeymoon is over, Mr. Bush

By Robert Kuttner, 2/11/2004

http://www.boston.com/news/globe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2004/02/11/the_honeymoon_is_over_mr_bush/

LAST WEEK I suggested that President Bush had reached a tipping point in his credibility with the broad public and the press. I speculated that we would soon see newsmagazine covers depicting Bush in trouble. Well, Time magazine obliged. Its new cover depicts a two-faced Bush and asks: "Does Bush Have a Credibility Gap?"

Does he ever. The press has at last given itself permission to be tougher on misrepresentations that have characterized the Bush presidency since its beginnings.

Bush's hourlong Sunday interview with Tim Russert of "Meet the Press" crystalized the moment and underscored just how vulnerable the president suddenly is. That Bush did the interview at all is an indication of panic setting in. This president is not noted for his effectiveness off the cuff. He does well to the extent that he is scripted and not exposed to spontaneous encounters where he might wander "off message."

The Russert interview with the president was a reminder that the Democratic candidates get relentless press scrutiny that exposes the most minute inconsistencies while Bush, hiding behind his role as chief executive, almost never faces close questioning. Indeed, this was the first time during his presidency when Bush has been subject to a string of follow-up questions that could expose either his misrepresentations or his ineptitude at trying to cover them up.

Russert successfully walked a tightrope, being as exacting with Bush as he has been with Bush's challengers without seeming disrespectful to the presidency. Russert pointed to a long litany of misrepresentations, including the deceptive accounting on the tax cuts, the budget, the deficit, the economy's job creation, Bush's own military record, and the war against Iraq.

Under firm but respectful questioning, Bush wilted. He couldn't explain his constantly shifting rationale for war with Iraq or why he was permitted to quit National Guard service eight months before his hitch ended or why his deficit goes ever deeper in the red or the dismal job creation record on his watch.

...more...

[tobius]

1. helluva long honeymoon.. n/t

[zbdent]

2. Funny how Bush did an interview with a safe host, with well-coached

talking points drilled into his head, and Bush still had HIS OWN CHEERING SECTION doubting his ability to defend himself!

[Fovea]

5. Imagine him against any of the Dem Candidates

I like to imagine him attempting to sound lucid, connected, and plan-endowed in an hour long bloodletting at the hands of Dennis.

Not even Artaud or Genet could write something that cruel.

[GumboYaYa]

3. Did anyone else see John Stewart last night?

He played the WH press conference, shrugs, and says "where the f#&^k have you been".

That pretty well sums it up.

[truthseeker1]

9. I Tivo Jon every night

and wouldn't miss at least the first 10 minutes of his show for ANYTHING! I just said to my husband last night, I wonder what Jon's ratings are and we figured they HAVE to have gone way up. Jon is so right on on so many things. If something controversial happens in the news during the day, I can always rely on Jon Stewart to bring attention to it on his show later that evening. I find myself mouthing exactly what he's going to say before he evens says it (eg. last night's "Where the fuck have you guys been?!?!?") It's like he's reading my mind or something.

[adadem]

4. Mainstream Americans

are finally waking up to what we have for a president. And, apparently, so is the media.

[redqueen]

14. Actually

I think there might be a causal relationship there.

Media is allowed to say x - suddenly 'mainstream' Americans are aware of x.

[ShimokitaJer]

6. True, and I agree, but...

this really belongs in the other GD forum.

I know there's not as much action over there as there is here, but those of us who still frequent that forum like it that way.

[AlinPA]

7. "Russert ..walked a tightrope...without being disrespectful ...

So now the media has to bow down to Bush*? But if the person on MTP is a Dem, he's free to show any kind of disrespect. Russert is a pig. Folks, the media is in 100% propaganda mode now, pro-Bush*, anti-Dem.

[chiburb]

8. And don't miss today's DU front page....

Plaid Adder writes on the same topic. It's probably her best column yet...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/plaidder/04/12.html

[YouMustBeKiddingMe]

10. Oh, now you did it

I just HAD to subscribe to Time.com to see that article questioning Bush's credibility. Oh well, for $4.95 I get the next 12 issues.

Nice to see the press finally taking Bush to task for his bullshit.

[calimary]

11. Here's the letter-to-the-editor I just sent 'em:

Dear Boston Globe folks,

I am almost crying this morning. Crying - for joy. All I can say after reading Robert Kuttner's "The Honeymoon is Over, Mr. Bush" is -

THANK GOD! THANK GOD! THANK GOD! THANK GOD!

Life in America has felt like a hostage hold since the Bush regime took over. It's been awful! As a former reporter myself (retired from the AP in 1996), I have been brokenhearted and ashamed to see how my onetime profession has turned from being watchdogs to complete lapdogs.

AT LAST, journalists are once again waking up, smelling the coffee, and drinking it, instead of "Kool-aid." They're finally doing their jobs again, and questioning this bloody-awful bunch in the White House.

Thank you, Robert Kuttner! Thank you, Boston Globe, for daring to tell the truth. Thank you also for the AWOL scandal coverage. Shameful that nobody could be bothered looking into it - until now. PLEASE don't let the Rove machinery intimidate you folks ANY MORE!!! NEVER AGAIN!!! Our democracy, AND informed voters, all depend on it, and on you.


And thanks to you, too, Will, for posting this! I LOVE having good stuff to react to, instead of just firing off yet another of those damned "I'm outraged" letters (that until now, didn't seem to make much difference).

[spooky3]

12. great job, Calimary, and thanks, Will!

[AlinPA]

13. With Bush* Co and the broadcast media on the same team,

all this won't help much. We still have to bypass the media and go directly to voters.