Keith Olberman: In tough times, is Bush tightening his circle?

[sabra]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10096711/

In tough times, is Bush tightening his circle?
Writer says that the president has narrowed his group of advisers
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Nov. 17: According to reports, President Bush has limited the members of his inner circle to a few select confidants. Find out who still has the President's ear, and who is getting the cold shoulder when Washington Times columnist Jeffrey Kuhner discusses the new formation of President Bush's circle of trust on Countdown.

Beyond the Iraq debate, the leak investigation, the poll numbers, are new reports of a strange rift between not just the president and the vice president but even the president and his own father.

According to administration sources cited by Jeff Kuhner of "The Washington Times" and "Inside on the News," the break with former President George Bush was spurred by an October interview with the "New Yorker Magazine," by Brent Scowcroft who was national security advisor in the first Bush administration. "The president is convinced Mr. Scowcroft consulted with Mr. Bush's father prior to delivering the devastating critique of the president's Iraq policy," according to the article.

The president's relationship with Karl Rove is not much better. Mr. Bush had believed Rove's claim that he played no part in the leak of Valerie Plame's identity. When facts suggested otherwise in the ramp up to Scooter Libby's indictment, the Rove/Bush relationship became tense. Now, according to Mr. Kuhner's column, the president maintains daily contact with only four people. His wife, his mother, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Undersecretary of State Karen Hughes.

[w13rd0]

1. All women?

And he still nominates Alito? COME THE HELL ON!?!?!

[Jackpine Radical]

2. Horseshit.

If Bush believed rove was clean he's a bigger fool than I ever thought. At best he believed KKKarl when he hold him there's no way he'll be fingered.

Anyway, I think Bush was in on the original planning.

[Kierkegaard]

11. Not only that,

but you would think lying would be something that would endear someone to *. Birds of a feather, and all that.

What pissed off the Pretender in Chief was the fact that Rube's lying got the whole White House LOTS of unwanted attention. Big difference.

[Jackpine Radical]

15. Yup--and I think Rove's back to work as usual.

The Push Back is his first major blow since his "rehab."

[Kierkegaard]

16. I agree.

He's back in full swing. All the nasty swipes that are getting so much media attention have KKKarl's greasy little paw prints all over them.

Damn shame that it doesn't seem to be working... :sarcasm:

[LiberalVoice]

3. I've been hearing things about Shrub and Poppie.

I cant remember what channel it was but some news program mentioned that * only speak to his dad on holidays. I thought it was strange they didn't get into it more.

[murielm99]

4. All women?

He only trusts women these days. But he does not respect women. This is odd.

[Jackpine Radical]

17. 2 kinds of women in Shrub's universe:

Mommy-figures & sluts. On the pedestal or in the gutter.

[StephanieMarie]

5. That's a VERY scarey thought.

Why, oh why, is it taking so long for shurbs' ship to sink? And will it sink so badly that no "Bush" can ever run for office again?

[whosinpower]

6. So he has lost control completely then

And is surrounding himself with women who help ease his troubled mind ........mommy, wifey, mistress, and other.......

[StephanieMarie]

7. Why doesn't Harriet get to be on this list, one wonders? nfm

[MarianJack]

8. I Remember Reading (Probably Here)...

...that dipshit 41 & moron 43 have been on the outs since 43 married a pot selling, vehicular homicide committing drunken, drug using ho!

[HereSince1628]

9. Daily contact with MOMMY? Say what? Quick call Dr. Phil!

George is in serious shit as a leader if he is consulting with his mommy every day.

"Here, Georgie, take my nipple, good boy, oh, oooOOOHHHHHHHHhhhhh!"

[Buns_of_Fire]

12. There are certain mental images that I absolutely refuse to entertain

...and that one ranks right up there in the top three or so!

[HereSince1628]

14. Sorry, I've been practicing writing horror

[tularetom]

10. Symbolically crawling back

into the womb. This guy has HUGH mommy issues and if the Dems had the cojones to attack the way the repubs did to Clinton's mother we might see the meltdown we're all anticipating.

[loyalsister]

13. Classic narcissism

He's mad at Rove because Rove made him look foolish. He does not not mind coming off as dumb making his word goofs because the low expectations benefit him.
But when someone puts him in a position of breaking a promise about firing the leaker, and looking like he has no integrity, he's pissed.
He is surrounding himself only with people who will validate him. They will tell him that he is a good person. He has to have that admiration, and they give it to him.
Rove screwed him by helping to lower his ratings. Anyone who contributes to deflating his ego is the enemy.