An
AP story released today previewed Bush's speech to the nation scheduled for Tuesday night.
In doing so it revealed that this "critical" speech is going to be given in Fort Bragg, NC to provide for a friendly audience for our coward President.
The rest is below the fold.
Friday's meeting came as the White House makes plans for the president's prime-time speech about Iraq next week.
The speech -- Tuesday night at Fort Bragg in North Carolina -- will mark the anniversary of the return of sovereignty to Iraq. It's aimed at shoring up flagging public support for the Iraq mission.
White House Press Secretary Scott McClellan said the president wants the American people to hear his view of "the way forward" in Iraq.
McClellan said the U.S. mission there is at a "critical moment." He acknowledged that Americans are seeing "bloody images on their TV screen," but maintains they "haven't really heard" the administration's "clear strategy for success."
Okay. First of all, if this is a crucial speech, make it look like it's one. Don't parade around another military base. Don't arrange for a friendly audience. Don't act like the valedictorian who got his 4.0 by getting out of Chemistry and the like. If it's "hard work," like you claimed it was during the campaign, get in the Oval Office, and show us that. If this speech is such a "critical moment," like our friend Scott McClellan insists it is, then stop treating it like a party. The American people deserve to know what is going on. McClellan's right -- we do see the images on our TV screen -- but if you think that by laying out this administration's strategy for success in Iraq in Fort Bragg you're going to lend the speech credibility, you are dreadfully wrong.
President Bush -- please grow up. Treat this like the serious situation that it is. Though you may not want to believe it, more and more people are disagreeing with the direction you're taking this country. You know what? That's too nice. You're
tanking. You're pulling a Bill Buckner in front of the whole country. Don't you remember 9/11 and the support you got? Granted that was then and this is now, if you want to appear presidential like you did in 2001, get in the White House. Get in the Oval Office and act like a president.
There are those that will not like you and/or will not listen to you no matter what. But there are also those who are looking toward you for some sign of hope that you're no longer going to treat the world like your own game of RISK. If you want these people to listen to what you have to say, move the frickin' speech into the White House. If you want people pissed off because you're taking away their evening TV again in exchange for a speech that looks like a mockery of the quagmire we're in (and you can bet your ass that's what it is), stay in Fort Bragg.