As Dems scramble, White House a 'gloat-free zone'

[leftward]

BY ROBERT NOVAK

At the White House on Sunday morning, President Bush's aides watching television finally saw images that they had been awaiting for months. Iraqis were dancing in the streets of Baghdad, celebrating the capture of Saddam Hussein.........

..........When Saddam's capture became public Sunday morning, presidential aides were instructed to make the White House a "gloat-free zone." Accordingly, statements by staffers were low-key. Bush himself managed to restrain his natural high spirits with a sober four-minute speech that made clear that armed struggle in Iraq is not over.

Bush's political team was going to make sure he did not repeat the same mistake he made on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln months ago when "Mission Accomplished!" was heralded. The White House first announced that a press pool would be admitted to the president's noon remarks Sunday, then reversed that judgment. Reporters were kept out to make sure there would be no dangerous question-and-answer period that might show Bush gloating. "If I had my way, the president wouldn't answer any questions between now and the election," said one Republican political operative.

http://www.suntimes.com/output/novak/nwx-nws-novak15.html

[JailBush]

1. Alternative Title

"Three Years into the Presidency, Bush Discovers Humility"

[GainesT1958]

2. And if they have their way (which, hopefully, they won't)...

They won't agree to any debates with the Dem. nominee next fall, either!:mad:

B-)

[grannylib]

7. Can't you just see him going up against someone like Clark on any

military issue? He'd be creamed...

[trogdor]

9. Well, we can always hammer him on that.

...with the requisite amount of clucking, of course. Hopefully we won't settle for a sham debate on his terms, like we did last time.

[peekaloo]

3. written by the master of "no gloat" Bob NoFacts

I'd be willing to bet behind closed doors Boosh was wearing a Santa beard and asking staffers to please help me remove the lice from his head.


Which drug company produces a "no gloat pill"? :eyes:
----------------

Bush's political team was going to make sure he did not repeat the same mistake he made on the aircraft carrier Abraham Lincoln months ago when "Mission Accomplished!" was heralded. The White House first announced that a press pool would be admitted to the president's noon remarks Sunday, then reversed that judgment. Reporters were kept out to make sure there would be no dangerous question-and-answer period that might show Bush gloating. "If I had my way, the president wouldn't answer any questions between now and the election," said one Republican political operative.

-----------------

[DakotaDemocrat]

4. Classic line...

"If I had my way, the president wouldn't answer any questions between now and the election," said one Republican political operative.

Ladies and gentlemen - the President of the United States - err...

[zbdent]

11. And that would be different from now in what way?

Oh. ANY questions. Not just the serious questions.

[Cooley Hurd]

5. No gloating???

Why has Shrub scheduled a RARE news conference?


Nah, no gloating here...

[LizW]

6. Republican operative hits nail on head

Basically, he's saying that the only way to keep Bush from gloating would be to sequester him forever.

Bingo.

I love that they just come out and admit that they have to keep Bush* away from reporters so he won't alienate the world with his gloating.

I can't wait to see the Chimp's studied "serious" expression today. You know, the one they coach him to use so he won't lapse back into his standard smart-ass smirk?

[alarcojon]

16. Revealing, isn't it?

I am surprised that this level of honesty came out in the press. They know that Bush comes off as arrogant and incompetent, so they have to go to any necessary lengths to keep him from having to think on his feet. Just the qualities you want in a leader, eh?

B-)

[grannylib]

8. They might as well admit he can't be trusted to open his mouth...

I'm curious as to how he even managed to be a "C" student at university...

[Patriot_Spear]

10. Daady paid off his instructors...

Bank on it.

[realFedUp]

12. but have they found The Leakers yet?

and I misplaced the number to the Anthrax Guy....

[stickdog]

13. Now it's up to us to make it a dolt-free zone. (nm)

[bleedingheart]

14. In my personal opinion I think that they have more to fear about what

ole saddam may say now that he has been captured.

I heard that supposedly he is ineligible to be tried in the Hague (npr) but if his trial isn't publicized there will be a big outcry... so who knows what verbal bombs he may drop about ole Poppy Bush and Reagan...

In fact Bush didn't look so happy or coherent during the time I was able to stomach his news conference.

[leetrisck]

15. Gloating over the deaths of several thousand

Americans and several thousand Iraqi's - behind the scenes, that's exactly what they are doing.