Matt Lauer just did a hardball interview during Bush's photo op. Well, by today's standards anyway -- he asked actual, pertinent questions while politely overlooking whatever answers answers he got and moving on. And he actually pointed out that it was a photo op. Repeatedly. For anyone who missed it and wants to see him squirm
Crooks & Liars has the video and The transcript is
here.
A few hilights:
Q I talked to a prominent Democrat in Louisiana who has said that this type of appearance, while it's great to see you guys rolling up your sleeves and grabbing a hammer and helping with this piece of wall here, that it's a photo op, and they want to see a plan on paper, your plan to rebuild this region. Do you have that kind of a plan?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, Matt, you see, I don't think Washington ought to dictate to New Orleans how to rebuild. I guess we have a different philosophy than whoever the prominent Democrat was you spoke to. Last night, Laura and had dinner with Mayor Nagin and a group of distinguished New Orleans citizens from all walks of life. And my message to them was, we will support the plan that you develop.
The point is, is that it comes from the local folks. And I recognize there's an attitude in Washington that says, we know better than the local people. That's just not the attitude I have.
They fix things, I photo op. What are you complaining about?
Q Carolyn Maloney, who, as you know, is a Democrat from New York, a congresswoman, said --
THE PRESIDENT: You're quoting a lot of Democrats today, Matt, that's interesting. (Laughter.)
heh. Of course by this time all the "extras" in the scene are conspicuously staring at Bush and occasionally pretending to make hammering noises.
Q She said that we aren't asking the people of Iraq to pay back the money we're spending there - why are we asking the people of the Gulf Coast, requiring them to pay back this money. How would you respond to that?
THE PRESIDENT: Well, the people of Iraq are paying a heavy price for terrorism. A lot of people are dying, Matt. These people are working hard to establish democracy and they're paying a serious price. Look, I understand there are a lot of politics. One of the things that I suggested was we keep the politics out of New Orleans and Mississippi as we all work together to rebuild these communities. And we've got people here who volunteered their time, from all over the country - and they didn't say, you know, I'm a Democrat and I'm going to work here, or, I'm a Republican and I'm going to come and work here. They said, I'm an American that wants to contribute.
And the reason why Laura and I are here is because we want to encourage other Americans to help somebody find shelter or help somebody find food, or to continue to express the incredible compassion that the country saw when displaced persons moved from this part of the world and are scattered around the country.
Q Which is a good point. So in other words, if someone says to you, okay, you're moving a wall today and it's a photo op, but if that inspires someone else in another community to move a wall and grab a hammer, then that's mission accomplished?
MRS. BUSH: That's right. Also, this gives us a chance to thank the people who do this all the time, not just in a crisis situation, but who volunteer with Habitat in their towns wherever they are across the country, or volunteer in a million other ways - working in schools or other ways. And this is really, really important, and it's very American to step out and help.
THE PRESIDENT: I understand there's a lot of politics, and you keep talking about this politician or that politician. I think our job is to elevate this whole process out of normal politics. Frankly, we're supposed to --
There you have it. Answering pertinent questions and participating in the responsibilities of a president during the aftermath of one of the largest disasters in our nation's history is playing politics. George Bush is instead wisely following the lead of such greats as George Washington, who played a pivotal role in the founding of this nation by acting in several plays where he pretended to fashion musket balls thereby inspiring the locals to defeat the English.
And the press is waking up indeed. They may be riding the hell out of the snooze button, but they're getting there. Kind of.
Q Mrs. Bush, President Bush, thanks so much for your time this morning.
THE PRESIDENT: Thanks, Matt, appreciate it.
MRS. BUSH: Thanks, Matt.
Q Grab your hammers and go back to work. (Laughter.)