Bush's Final Press Conference: White House Interns Forced To Fill Seats

[Amerigo Vespucci]

Bush's Final Press Conference: White House Interns Forced To Fill Seats



http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/01/13/bushs-final-press-confere_n_157517.html

Bush's final press conference was, at best, a maladroit, awkward, and typically belated attempt at final fence-mending before the president leaves office for good. As Dana Milbank notes in Tuesday's Washington Post, Bush seemed well-rehearsed and ready to discuss the myriad issues upon which he often draws the most criticism -- the economy, Katrina, Abu Ghraib, the "Mission Accomplished" banner, and more. Milbank writes:

By the time he finished, it was hard to imagine why only 23 percent of Americans are able to see the Bush years for the unqualified success that they are. "I thank you for giving me a chance to defend a record that I am going to continue to defend, because I think it's a good, strong record," the president declared.

On a more amusing note (or maybe just sad), Milbank also references a bulletin to the White House press corps issued prior to the press conference. The memo set a tone importance and fanfare for the event. But, when the moment of the event rolled around, there was apparently such a dearth of reporters and spectators in the room that White House interns were conscripted to fill the empty chairs.

The White House had high expectations for yesterday's final, historic news conference. "ONE CORRESPONDENT PER ORGANIZATION," proclaimed the bulletin sent to reporters. "STANDING ROOM ONLY FOR NON-SEAT HOLDERS." But when the appointed hour of 9:15 a.m. arrived, the last two rows in the seven-row briefing room were empty, and a press aide told White House interns to fill those seats.

[Liberal_in_LA]

1. kick. There are reports about how OUTRAGED the citizens are over the Bush legacy.

[tridim]

2. Wonder what "Intern for President Bush" will look like on a resume?

Sucks to be those interns.

[tomg]

5. Maybe they can say "Worked

during the Obama Transition." I can't figure any other way to spin it. Even "Baby Rat caught on sinking ship" beats "Intern for
President Bush."

[Hardrada]

3. We will fill the courtroom though when he is finally brought to

trial for war crimes and conspiracy.

[Contrary1]

4. And a Freeper's comment to the story:

"I think he should be more smugg... How can all of you be so rude and ignorant and call Buh rude and ignorant?? Pot meet Kettle... He's out quit whinning and write your states representatives about the issues you care about....It might be a bit more productive. I'm gonna miss Bush's bumbeling speeches....If you think Obama will be better your mistaken...go "hope" for some "change"....I'm going to do more than "hope".

Damn, they're easy to spot! :rofl:

[Graybeard]

6. The press should all have stayed out. All except Helen Thomas.

Wouldn't that have been great? The only reporter to attend is Helen Thomas? He couldn't ignore her (which is what he did yesterday. She was in the front row.) I'll bet she'd ask the right questions...and follow ups.