Bush to Take on Critics in TV Interview

[UpInArms]

http://www.news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=2182602

US President W George Bush was today seeking to answer his critics in a TV interview broadcast ahead of his visit to Britain.

Mr Bush was expected to take an uncompromising line in the taped interview with the BBC1 Breakfast with Frost programme.

<snip>

The President’s visit could even damage Mr Blair’s public standing, a poll suggested.

The US President was branded a threat to world peace by a clear majority, 60%, of those questioned in a YouGov survey.

More than one in three, 37%, said Mr Bush was “stupid” while 33% called him “incoherent”.

...more...

[Nlighten1]

1. I can't wait.

This ought to be hilarious.

[aquart]

3. Will we get to see any of it?

[GAspnes]

2. If Molly Ivins is right

and he's basically an affable guy, I haven't seen it yet. All he does is piss me off.

[Thor_MN]

4. Isn't it spelled "laughable"?

:)

[mistertrickster]

13. Where'd you get that idea? I'm reading "Bushwhacked" now

and the entire thing is a scathing denunciation. She seems to think he's a pure phoney.

[kayell]

24. She has actually used the term affable recently

http://www.texasobserver.org/showArticle.asp?ArticleID=1475

"Although Bush rather promptly becomes defensive and prickly when questioned, he is by and large perfectly affable. You would have to work at it to dislike him personally. "

Of course she has known * since way back in his boozing and carousing days. Perhaps he was a charming drunk. And that was also before he came to believe that he was Master of the Universe. I can't imagine personally being charmed by *, but I already know all the horrors about him. And maybe Molly Ivins finds him affable by good ol' boy standards. A lot of horrid racist, sexist, degenerate pigs can put on quite a show, with back slapping, funny jokes, etc. - so long as you don't cross them. There are also a lot of dishonest used car salesmen who are perfectly "affable". It's part of their spiel and how they sell people complete shit with a smile.

[jpgray]

5. I want to see this desperately! How long is this interview? (nt)

[Liberalator]

6. BBC Breakfast with Frost 16 Nov - 0900 GMT

BBC Breakfast with Frost
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast_with_frost/3185555.stm
On Sunday 16 November 2003 on BBC Breakfast with Frost, Sir David talks exclusively to President George Bush, ahead of the President's historic state visit to Britain.
They discuss the situation in Iraq; the expected mass protests against the visit; and the fate of Britons held by the US authorities at Guantanamo Bay.

Sir David will also be talking to the former Prime Minister, John Major, and to the opera star Bryn Terfel, now winning new fans with his latest cross-over album.

Watch Breakfast with Frost at 0900 BST on Sunday 16 November, on BBC One.

[0rganism]

10. Looks to me like he's answering David Frost, not "his critics"

At best, depending on David Frost's opinion, he'll be answering one critic.

I don't see this winning lots of harps and mimes.

[karlschneider]

12. what the hell is BST (British Std Time???) so that is GMT right? That

would be 4:00 AM in D.C. Is this feasible?* I am veritably nonplussed.

* for Bunnypants, I mean...(?)

[leesa]

37. So who are the critics?? The usual scam. John Major worked with his

Daddy in Carlisle Group, the front group that sells the weapons worldwide to allow for these lovely money-making ventures. Why would he be a critic of Bush. Now the opera singer, who knows?

[newyawker99]

38. Hi Liberalator!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[rfranklin]

7. I f he gets one or two questions that aren't in the script...

challenging his "competence," he'll go off the deep end. We seen him get his undies in a bundle when asked the most gently probing questions by the "reporters." If he ever has to face a truly tough interview, he'll go ballistic. Gore got to him in one of the debates, and should have needled him relentlessly. It would have put the lie to what an "affable" guy Bush is. He's a thin-skinned pretender who knows he's gotten where he is through none of his own sweat and he's very defensive about it.

[Manix]

8. I hope the Brits "kick his ass" good!!

n/t

[young_at_heart]

9. Would Karl Rove allow "real" questions.........not!

Never happen! Scripted all the way. You'd think one or two die-hards would like to hear extemporaneous speaking from their "leader" once in a while.

[Media_Lies_Daily]

11. Let me guess...his critics will be Russert, Hannity, and Humes?

[hlthe2b]

14. More arrogance... yeah, that's the ticket!

SO 70% think he is either stupid or incoherent.... I wonder what language the other 30% speak that makes them think otherwise...

[legin]

15. Don't get your hopes up

about Frost asking bush* any difficult questions.

I maybe wrong but if I was bush* and I was going to be interviewed by the BBC, Frost would be the guy I would want doing it.

[RandomKoolzip]

17. Yeah, remember that fawning interview Nixon did with Frost in 77?

....

[Skittles]

16. GAWD

MUST HE EMBARRASS US EVERYWHERE HE GOES? x(

[eablair3]

18. go get em Brits

it's just a shame that the only time any media can put any heat on Bush is when he travels out of the country to Britain.

Why is Bush doing this trip?

[hatrack]

19. "Lessons of September 11th blah blah gassed his own people blah blah

removed an evil dictator blah blah blah bringing democracy and freedom to the Middle East blah blah blah hunt 'em down and bring 'em to justice blah blah blah economy getting better blah blah blah weapons of mass destruction blah blah blah lessons of September 11th blah blah blah.

There! I just saved y'all an hour of valuable time!

[PaDUer]

20. THIS ought

to be good!! LOLOLOLOL Oh please...

[monobrau]

21. but without actually debating

If this scum wants to take on his critics, then do it in an open town hall meeting. Like that would ever happen.

[DoYouEverWonder]

28. Supposedly, Bush is going to address Parliment, also

Bush’s controversial trip has already threatened to inflict political damage on the Prime Minister, but it emerged last night that Blair has laid extraordinary secret plans to defy intense political criticism and heightened security fears by allowing Bush to speak in Parliament during his visit. Downing Street has warned senior MPs in charge of scheduling daily business in the House of Commons to prepare to “clear the decks” in preparation for a presidential visit on Wednesday.


http://www.news.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1266582003

W addressing Parliment? This should be a hoot. Tony reminds of Baldrick (I have a cunning plan) in the Black Adder.

[JawJaw]

22. Bush TV

Just saw the interview...Frost asked him a few awkward questions but didn't really press him for answers. Bush seemed to get away with answering stuff with the usual "Well, we knew it was going to be tough" and "progress is being made" BS.


Apparently, in Bush's universe "freedom" is not something given by the US or Britain, but a gift that "the almighty" grants to the world!


Frost:
"Do you need to woo people in the rest of the world"

Shrub:
"We Woo'd - We did a pretty good job of wooin 'em at the United Nations"




I think the questions were vetted.

Judge for yourself:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsa/n5ctrl/progs/frost/latest.ram

(Interview about 30 minutes into programme)

[truthisfreedom]

23. more rovian pre-planned hooey

to create a make-believe bush.

[Buns_of_Fire]

25. But you see, "stupid" and "incoherent" are his GOOD points

The OTHER 30% REALLY don't like him! ;-)

[Tom Yossarian Joad]

26. Beware his famous "That's a trick question! I'm not going to answer that"

Frost: Good morning, Mr. President. How are you today?

Bush: That's a trick question! I'm not going to answer that.

Frost: Yes. Well. Did you have a pleasant trip?

Bush: That's a trick question! I'm not going to answer that.

ad infinitum.

[teach1st]

27. China View's view of the interview

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2003-11/16/content_1180913.htm

US, Europe working together make world better off: Bush

LONDON, Nov. 16 (Xinhuanet) -- The world would be better off if Europe and the United States worked together, US President George W. Bush said in a BBC television interview broadcast on Sunday.

Asked if he would forgive French President Jacques Chirac and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who strongly opposed the US-led war against Iraq, Bush told the BBC Breakfast with Frost Program that he had met both leaders since then and "they have been very cordial meetings".

"We are not going to agree on every issue but a Europe which works closely with America and an America which works closely withEurope means the world will be better off," Bush told the BBC, days before his state visit to Britain next week.

"There is a lot we can do working together," said Bush, who specially praised Schroeder for committing German troops to Afghanistan.

On European common defense, Bush said: " (British Prime Minister) Tony Blair tells me that the discussions he is having with other European countries will in no way undermine NATO and I take his word for it."

[Briar]

29. Sounds like a carefully staged performance

According to the pro-war, pro-Blair Observer:


http://observer.guardian.co.uk/focus/story/0,6903,1086212,00.html


'The only thing people see in this country of Bush is a few clips on television and some quotes in the newspapers,' a Number 10 official said. 'Now, the public will have the chance to see him speak at length, and then they can make up their minds.'

The process starts this morning with a television interview on the BBC's Breakfast with Frost, which will last nearly 30 minutes. Frost, who flew to Washington last week after months of negotiation, found a President unrepentant about any of his actions over the past year and able to deal with questions fluently and without pausing.

'He didn't trip over his words and he had an immediate answer to each question,' said one BBC executive who has seen the interview. 'He is not some buffoon, dazed and confused.'

Number 10 officials know that Bush's image in Britain can only improve because of the visit. First arranged in spring 2002 as an offer of solidarity after 11 September, Bush will also make a speech televised live from the Banqueting House about global politics. Figures close to Blair say that they hope such exposure will mean that more members of the public will begin to understand why Bush is a man with whom Britain can do business.

[MaineDem]

30. I saw a clip

* was his usual smirky self. Arrogant as hell.

I don't think the Brits will take kindly to his attitude.

[DoYouEverWonder]

31. Link to video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/

The BBC has the video posted on their website this morning. Lower right side of screen. Enjoy.

[54anickel]

32. Thanks (I think) Pretty nauseating

I don't pay attention to polls (or votes obviously)
Our Intelligence was good
Saddam was a bad person
David Kay found evidence of WMD, chemicals,blah, blah

Sorry, I couldn't stand to watch the entire thing in one sitting. Giving me a bile attack on an empty stomach

[teach1st]

33. Content aside

Content aside, his delivery is improving.

[MaineDem]

34. You really think so?

I found him condescending and arrogant.

BTW, welcome to DU! :hi:

[legin]

35. I want a drugs test

too animated, too talkative, too quick witted. His performance is almost good enough to be classed as mediocre, way above his normal level. He is on something illegal.

He has had the questions at least a month in advance that is for sure.

[DoYouEverWonder]

36. He's been repeating the same crap for two years

He finally managed to say his lines without pausing in between each one. That's all.

[hussar]

39. Yup same old garbage

Freedom, with us or against us, terrorists etc. same old crapola

[Jack Rabbit]

40. Message to our British friends

I am urging all those on the other side of the Pond to let no photo-op go unspoiled.

Thank you.

[Dr Fate]

41. But will he take on his critics MAN TO MAN????

Or will President Rove manuever a way for him to avoid the debates???

[Bozvotros]

42. Man to Chimp, you mean

Clearly the rule was no follow up contradicting him. Bush is fairly adept at memorizing a few facts and liberal use of phony aphorisms and sound bites. He can't think outside those parameters, which is why he insisted on the debate format with Gore and which is exactly why every interview sounds almost the same.

Frost could have followed up on any of Bush's foggy bullshit answers with another question that would have totally flummoxed him. When he started talking about Resolution 1441 and UN unanimity, Frost should have said the unanimity came because the US promised to return to the UN for a vote for war. In other words, Bush lied to the UN to get what he wanted and this should be thrown in his face every time he mentions it.

When he said most of the country was "untouched" by the war there was no comments about the 10,000 dead civilians, the targeting of water treatment and infrastructure and the months without electricity, the looting, the unguarded nuclear waste.

There was little or no comment about his lies about WMD, the supposed links to Al Qaeda. Frost also let him lie about Gitmo being in accord with international law. In short, Frost rolled over and let him change the subject, prattle with no fear of contradiction or follow up. The tried and true Russert method.