Bush didn't know about HIS troop extensions until Wednesday (WOW)

[underpants]

http://thinkprogress.org/2007/04/13/bush-extensions/

White House Claims Bush Was In The Dark About Iraq Troop Extensions, Fueling Speculation
On Tuesday, President Bush addressed the American Legion and accused Congress of forcing U.S. troops to extend their deployments in Iraq:

The bottom line is this: Congress’s failure to fund our troops will mean that some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines.

The very next day, his own Pentagon announced that all U.S. Army soldiers in Iraq would have their 12-month tours in Iraq extended by 3 additional months.

What explains the strange timing? As Atrios noted, when the Pentagon announced its new policy on Wednesday, Defense Secretary Gates said he was angry that the news had been leaked to the press. That has sparked suspicion that the deployment extension was actually supposed to be announced after Bush had vetoed Congress’ Iraq legislation “so that he could try to claim it was their fault.” In that scenario, Bush’s remarks on Tuesday were just meant to prime the pump.

This speculation was fueled by Wednesday’s White House press conference, where Dana Perino explained the strange timing by claiming that President Bush had been in the dark about this major policy shift until the morning it was announced:

Q So why did he tell the American Legion that people would be staying in Iraq longer because of the Democrats, when his own Pentagon, 24 hours later, was going to keep people there longer?

MS. PERINO: Well, one, I don’t know if the President knew about the — the meeting — remember, yesterday morning is when Secretary Gates came and talked to the President. <…>

Q And so the President didn’t know about his own policy until Wednesday?

MS. PERINO: I’m not aware that the President knew that there was going to be — that Secretary Gates had come to any decisions.

Watch it:


Could it really be that President Bush was completely unaware of the Pentagon’s new policy until hours before it was made public? Or is the White House now trying to cover up a botched plan to blame Congress for its own decision to further strain the U.S. military, a move that has hurt Bush politically and angered troops on the ground.

Transcript:

Q Dana, on the supplemental, on Tuesday the President said that because the Democrats have not gotten this in yet — “The failure to fund our troops will mean some of our military families could wait longer for their loved ones to return from the front lines, others could see their loved ones headed back to war sooner.” Why did the President mention — this is a day before his own Pentagon is going to announce that, actually, those loved ones are going to stay in harm’s way longer. And he clearly had to know that this policy was going to take place, that the deployments were going to be stretched from 12 months to 15 months. So why did he tell the American Legion that people would be staying in Iraq longer because of the Democrats, when his own Pentagon, 24 hours later, was going to keep people there longer?

MS. PERINO: Well, one, I don’t know if the President knew about the — the meeting — remember, yesterday morning is when Secretary Gates came and talked to the President.

<…>

We have never said that if we got the money immediately tomorrow, that folks would be able to have just a 12-year deployment and a 12-year dwell time.*** Every day that we don’t get the money is one that, as Secretary Gates and General Pace have said, creates problems in terms of the training. And so by piecemeal, you see some troops have been there for 16 months, and that’s what we’re trying to avoid.

Q Is that really the first time the President — it’s a pretty big policy, to keep people in Iraq three months longer –

MS. PERINO: No, I think that we’ve known for a while –

Q — he just heard about it yesterday morning?

MS. PERINO: I think we’ve known for a while that Secretary Gates was trying to figure out a way to make sure that we can alleviate this problem of having longer deployments, or troops being deployed for a longer period of time. And one of the things that he did yesterday was to say that we need more certainty for the troops. And I talked to the President about that this morning, that having more certainty for a military family to plan ahead is something that is probably priceless. I can’t imagine what it’s like for a youngster, when three months seems like five years, that their parent isn’t going to be home.

<…>

Q But if the President really wants certainty for the families, he had an opportunity before the American Legion, a highly respected veterans organization, to say, you know what, for certainty’s sake for these families, tomorrow we’re going to announce a pretty big change. They’re going to stay in harm’s way longer. Why wasn’t he straightforward with the American Legion about his own policy?

MS. PERINO: I think the President was absolutely straightforward. And remember, I don’t — I know that Secretary Gates came and talked to the President yesterday morning, so that speech you’re talking about was last Tuesday. We’ve known for a while that we’re going to have to –

Q Two days ago, the speech.

MS. PERINO: Yes, two days ago, right.

Q And so the President didn’t know about his own policy until Wednesday?

MS. PERINO: I’m not aware that the President knew that there was going to be — that Secretary Gates had come to any decisions.

[Bitwit1234]

1. Gee Whiz

You mean that's something else bush didn't know about. Everytime there is a question about something negative that happens....bush did not know, bush was not told, he was out of the loop.

What does he do in the white house. Sit about drinking beer and eating pretzels.

[AndyA]

2. Bush is a spoiled little brat, no one wants to tell him bad news.

He throws things, acts like a child when he's forced to deal with something bad.

I read a story about him turning over a full plate of food that had just been served to him, because he didn't like what was served. He's just a big baby, and America would be better off with him in a baby pen in the corner, diaper on, pacifier in mouth, and a rattle to keep him occupied.

[Kikosexy2]

26. Who did not know what...

and why didn't Preznut know about it...

[SlowDownFast]

28. Da widdle baby bush

[tbyg52]

37. Is this plate incident recent?

If so, got a link to the story? I'd *love* to read it!

[intaglio]

44. Make that a rattler -

There are plenty in Texas

[thefool_wa]

47. I'm sure that is not far from the truth

The guy is an idiot and a douchebag. He'll be lucky if my just impeach him!

[Broadslidin]

3. Ms. Perino should Seriously Consider, pleading the "5th" Amendment....!

:hangover:

[Little Wing]

4. Explain to me again this concept of "Hard work"

:eyes:

Then again, I'm glad he's totally out of the loop now - everything with him IN the loop is a fucking disaster

[paparush]

5. Wow..talk about being isolated from R E A L I T Y.

[Straight Shooter]

6. Now who's playing political games with our troops?

It sure isn't the Democrats!

:mad:

[underpants]

8. Sorry I duped Bob Geiger on this see here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=3214145&mesg_id=3214145

[Javaman]

7. This is a government without leadership.

crashcart is running things, it's more apparent then ever now.

the worst part about this is, moron* doesn't seem to give a shit.

I get so tired of living in an alternative universe.

[Dukkha]

9. does his desk sign read "The buck is a hot potato"?

I have never seen anyone duck responsibility more that this incompetent moran!

[femmedem]

18. Yup. If baseball was played with potatoes

he'd have been willing to toss the first pitch.

[janetle]

10. Wow! Just unbelievable!

Disaster--just like Katrina.

[wake.up.america]

11. Who dresses this guy in the morning? It can't be Laura.

[Dr.Phool]

12. She slipped.

She let out, accidentally that they're moving to 12 year deployments. And they'll try to blame congress for that.

[kimmylavin]

23. Yup

I caught that, too.
Here's hoping it was just a slip of the tongue, and not the new secret plan... :)

[eggplant]

13. When it comes right down to it...

does it really matter whether Bush knew? Either way, he's either an idiot, or he's a schemer. Or, much more likely, he's both. Regardless, the outcome is the same -- this *administration* is doing everything it can to fuck up pretty much everything it can.

It does help one to feel less depressed about it all, though, when they fuck up at fucking up. It is a testament to the resiliency of our great Nation that we will overcome this nightmare, even if it takes a long, long, long time. In most every other part of the world, there would be civil war because of this kind of shit. Oh, wait...

[thefool_wa]

48. I really want to believe

That all of this smoke and mirrors bull shit is hiding some larger, insidious, evil plan that they are getting ever closer to execution on. It makes the lies, the deciet, the giving of the middle finger to the american people (which, if you will remember, GW ACTUALLY DID!) have some kind of meaning. Evil meaning, but meaning none the less.

What I fear, is that all of it is just some childish, greedy ploy to 1) fill their pockets with as much money as possible and 2) maintain power in the government for no other purpose than having it.

I think, while my hatred would not wane, I would at least have some respect for them if there was some grand, evil, master plan behind their actions. As it stands, their only purpose seems to be selfish greed and giving us the finger.

How did these fucks get power? (oh, that's right THEY FUCKING STOLE IT!)

:wtf: :banghead: :wtf:

[KoKo]

14. SNEAKY! Is the Pentagon now leaking to defy the Chimperor?

Kind of sounds like it.

[frogcycle]

29. i would put BIG money on it

they are royally pissed
they know who is screwing them
the more he babbles nonsense aimed at his knuckle-dragging holdout supporters, the more reasonable people see through it.

[ClintonTyree]

34. Either that or....

someone got their lies mixed up. The Pentagon and the White House are the two biggest purveyors of disinformation on the planet.... OK, I'll stop sugar-coating it, they both lie like cheap rugs. When you tell as many lies as they're used to telling, sooner or later you're bound to cross wires and end up stepping all over each other's lies. One liar doesn't know what the other liar is lying about or when they're lying about it. You have to have a terrific memory to be a successful liar. Bush left all of his long and short term memory on the end of a coke-spoon and the bottom of a bottle. The Pentagon? Lying is their business, their product, but sometimes businesses ship their products to the wrong people at the wrong time. The orders get a little messed up.

Oh what a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. :) They fucked up and Bush, yet again, comes sway looking like the complete putz he truly is. You can't hide stupidity forever, it comes back to haunt you again and again. That's our Bush! ;)

[LuckyLib]

55. Absolutely. This is the Keystone Cops, and two little carts just crashed into each other.

Their idiocy is now biting them in the ass. This whole show is amazing!:popcorn:

[electron_blue]

15. As if anyone still thinks Bush is connected to reality....

Don't forget how clueless he was about Katrina. I really wish people would get beyond being shocked over how Bush does not care about the avg person and focus on doing something (like the next elections, writing congress people, etc.). Sitting around being shocked and talking about it does nothing.

[Pachamama]

16. When does Bush know anything?

:shrug:

Or take responsibility for that matter....

[femmedem]

17. No surprise. How could he possibly know anything about anything?

He doesn't read and he doesn't listen. :shrug:

[Oilwellian]

19. I was wondering what the hell was going on

First we hear Bush's snippy little speech about the Dem congress not giving him a blank check and he appears before the press very angry and literally threatening to keep the troops in Iraq longer if the Dems didn't pass the bill with no strings attached. Then the following day we hear the Pentagon say the troops were going to have to serve an extended time.

This is a goddamned pitiful state of affairs. Bush knew all along the troops would have to spend more time than planned in Iraq and was planning to blame the Dems. Goddamned lying sack of shit.

[Stinky The Clown]

20. Saying he didn't know is the **less** bad explanation. The LEAK is the real reason.

The extension was leaked to the press.

By whom, one is caused to speculate.

This speculating clown (me) thinks whoever leaked it has a shirt with either a gold eagle or, more likely, stars on the collar.

In the days of Blackbeard, this might be called a mutiny.

[lyonn]

25. This seems like the most likely reason for bush making his

statement to the Vets. He was setting up the Dems to be blamed for the extended time, but, someone squealed. On this site yesterday someone made a comment about how upset Casey (? mind drew a bland on his name) was about the leak before explaining the New Plan. This is BS. Thank goodness for leakers. Too bad the whistle blower act is now worthless, now we are in debt to the honorable leakers.

What I can't understand is why Casey went ahead with the announcement?

Silly me, bush is a lose cannon and liable and usually does say anything, anytime. He hasn't a clue except he likes big bombs and just plain wars in general and thinks we are the dummies and feel comfy with His Strength and Boldness. He hasn't changed his chatter in over 6 years. Wind him up and away he goes.

[frogcycle]

30. well, now that it is already announced...

should the dems yield?

I mean, realistically, the fight over the deadline is just posturing. We all know that only flat cutting funds will force change. So should thay make damned sure the extension is stamped indelibly on bush?

I read somewhere a day or so ago that they should break the bill down into separate bills, and send them all at once. Effectively giving * the line-item veto in this one case. Then he can sign the funding, veto the deadline, and will have to decide whether to sign or veto peanut farmer subsidies and such (which is immaterial).

Ultimately, the veto of the deadline would be all over him. Word it very simply. Just say that the American involvement in combat operations will be turned over gradually to the Iraqis, starting (date) and to be completed by (date) "unless circumstances dictate change, which must be authorized by Congress." That last gives them the leverage - all it really is is an instruction to the Iraqis that they are getting the helm, with a clear schedule so thay can plan for it and be ready. The loophole makes veto completely inappropriate - no9 excuses. It says if you can make a good case in 6 months that the timetable needs tweaking, then we'll talk. So if the deadline is looming but progress actually is being made and "a little more time" indeed DOES make sense, no problem. Vetoing that just says" I refuse to be accountable to anyone for anything." And says "fuck you" to the troops.

[livingonearth]

35. I think this would be a good thing as well.

We all know Bush likes to blame everything on the Dems. Splitting up the bill into three bills would take away his little blame game and put it all on his ass. Why not?

[Oldtimeralso]

21. GWB is in the dark about everything

His mind must be like a blackout in a coal mine, and with his mine safety record i doubt if his SS will allow him to go into a mine.

[Supersedeas]

22. blame the Democrats for stuff the Repigs are already planning to do, eh...what's that?

[kimmylavin]

24. Yes!

Q "And so the President didn’t know about his own policy until Wednesday?"

Said with the appropriate amount of disbelief/sarcasm.
'Bout time someone called them on what has too often become the fallback excuse.

1. He doesn't remember.
2. He didn't know.

Anyone else get to use these so often and so successfully in THEIR jobs???

[tom_paine]

27. Of course he knew. Dana Peroxide is just another Loyal Bushie Liar.

However, I view the TYPE of lies these odious pond scum are now telling to be a form of progress, actually.

Consider This: During the reign of Court Jester Fleischer, the lies were all of "Our Good and Wise Emperor knows this, and..."

NOW the lie is "The Emperor was unaware..."

[w4rma]

40. Agreed. (nt)

[acmavm]

31. What's interesting about that article is the LAST response by a poster:

131. My spouse is in the Army and was expecting to go back to Iraq in July. It was them rummored that the time-line had changed and the unit they were replacing was going to be there for three months longer and that their rotation would also be extened for about three months. This rummor started at least a month ago in the senior NCO ranks, so that tells me that senior Officers were hearing about this at least two months ago.

It sickens me that Bush tries to blame the Democrats for his wrong and unpopular decisions. My military family and plenty of others know that he is a liar.

Comment by Lee — April 13, 2007 @ 5:37 pm

[Diane R]

33. Excellent point.

[IChing]

32. A little gloating, but I pointed that out Wednesday during the Press conference.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=637032&mesg_id=637295


First on DU right as she said it..
I thought it meant a lot at that time.
He wasn't the decider.

[rateyes]

36. Perino translation:

You all know by now that the pResident is incompetent. How the hell is he supposed to know everything that goes on...he's only the Commander in Chief, and that's very hard work.

:puke:

[curiousdemo]

38. Bone head!!!

He such a Bone Head!!:silly: :silly: :silly: Which way did he go george..Which way did he go to...:silly: :silly: :silly: :silly:

[live love laugh]

39. Bush is not a bone head. He uses stupidity to evade accountability. n/t

[The_Casual_Observer]

41. bush continues to astound and amaze. He'll continue to use the

troops for political advantage right up to the end. He's the most cynical no-good punk ass shitbird I have ever seen in my life.

[Baron Harkonen]

42. my take,

I think Bush know's exactly what's going on.. His aids are making sure he know's --even though he doesn't read. How this guy gets sleep is amazing.

[in_cog_ni_to]

43. Well, there it is, in black and white..They're playing POLITICS with the soldiers' lives!

They wanted the announcement to come out AFTER the Psycho vetoed the Dems bill....so he could blame the extension on them! This is outrageous.:grr:

[radfringe]

45. maybe he just need to have a light installed in his bubble

these are pretty easy to install...

[NastyDiaper]

46. Dems want to being troops home, Shrub wants them to stay longer.

But wowzer, as Frank Rich pointed out last Sunday on Bush's comments "Almost everything he said was patently misleading or an outright lie" (kpete DU thread).

It's finally dawned on me that Republican Loyalty is not to the president. They are just so numb-nuts stubborn they can't accept they are wrong.

Or that anyone with the courage and fiber to fight the gay agenda could be wrong on other matters. :roll:

[EndElectoral]

49. This is BS! He knew. He just wants somehow Congress to be associated with the extensions.

[NastyDiaper]

50. Excactly. What *'s mad about is the short timespan makes his politics obvious.

xcept to freepers.

[formercia]

51. Junior and Gonzo would make good Coke dealers.

They have just the right mindset. Maybe after they get out of Federal Prison....

I'm sure it's something Junior is already trained to do; Stealing Coke out of the trunk of Poppy's Cadillac and selling it to school children.:sarcasm:

[louis-t]

52. God, she's a worse liar than Snowjob.

You just have to shake your head. Amazing.

[WinkyDink]

53. I cannot abide Perino. Her voice is oleaginous to me.

And clearly, from her wording of "last Tuesday" to imply that a mere 2 days past was like a week, she is a willing eqivocator for Bush and against America's citizens.

[dapper]

54. I love how we all tend to think the same.

Not on everything but this one is earily similar.

Right after Gates's press conference I was like "Wait a second... didn't Bush just say it would be the dem's fault?"

and our Democratic Senators are partisan????????????? Bush is so hypocritical, it's not funny anymore.

Dapper

[Bozita]

56. President Shit-for-Brains did NOT know of Sunni or Shia until Jan of '03

Just a few weeks before "shock and awe."

The term "unfuckingbelievable" does not do justice to the ignorance of GWB.

[sakabatou]

57. ::headdesk:: x9000

[Name removed]

58. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[c2farr]

59. Iraq War is on target : Permanent Occupation

The endless occupation of Iraq was the primary motivation for the Bush/Cheney regime's pre-election 2000 quest to occupy our White House. Their underlying motives were vengeance against Saddam and the profiteering prospects for the oil and defense industries, which provide major financial support for Republican causes.

The news analysts misread reality when they claim the Bush/Cheney regime did not properly anticipate the complexity of the situation on the ground in Iraq. Bush/Cheney knew the complexity. They knew that civil war would erupt. They knew that civil war would give them a rationale for permanent occupation.

The media continues to ignore the U.S. Government's takeover of Iraq's oil industry.

[newyawker99]

60. Hi c2farr!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast: