To all of those who do not like Bush, you have to give credit where credit is due. He placed himself in the same danger that the troops are in by flying into Baghdad to visit 600 men and women on Thanksgiving. Now, I understand that some people are saying that this is just a PR stunt and the rest of the world is saying this was just Bush trying to look good for the voters in the next election, I have to disagree.
If this was truly a PR stunt, this would have been plastered all over the Net, Newspapers, and TV. Bush would have made it clear to the American public and to the Press that he was going to Iraq. He would have cameras following his every move, he would be making speeches to reports and, he would be coming out and boasting about the trip. He is not doing any of these things. He went out of his way not to be discovered, he hid from his on Secret Service detail in Texas, most of the press core didn't know where they were going until they got there - and then could not report on it till after. Air Force One, when contacted in flight by a British Airways jet, tried to deflect the obvious that the plane was flying over the Atlantic, responding that the British Airways jet didn't see AFO, rather just a Gulf Stream jet.
Furthermore, if this was truly a PR stunt, the press wouldn't have the anger it does at Bush for deliberately deceiving them about the trip. The anger by some editors just goes to show how secret this was. It goes to show that this trip was not for the press but, for the troops.
He can do no right. If he does one thing, the democrats and his naysayers target him for trying to grab headlines. If he does another, the press is ticked off that they didn't get to report it. In my book, this was a class act showing support and thanks for the people who are putting their lives on the line for this nation.
Article comments
1 - John Mudd
Actually, I said in my first post to Al's post that the trip was both a PR stunt and a trip to Iraq to show support for the troops and boost their morale.
A good PR stunt doesn't just get media coverage. It makes them talk about something. In this case they're talking about the fact that they got snubbed and the danger President Bush put himself in. They are discussing this, rather than Democrats' criticism of his Iraq policy, which is good for the President and his Iraq policy.
Cheers.
2 - Jim Carruthers
What this stunt really points out is how irrelevant the office of the President of the USA has become to the governance of the state..
Dressing up in a costume, appearing on teevee, that's not governance, that's not leadership, that is just manipulation by a ceremonial figure. He might as well wear a Santa suit and fake beard.
What's sadder is that so many USAians seem so willing to swallow this bullshit and ask for more.
3 - Van Santos
John Mudd has a very interesting point - A good PR stunt doesn't just get media coverage. It makes them talk about something.
In that light, I am more willing to say this was a combo PR stunt/for the troops trip. I do not believe, however, that it was a pure play PR move.
4 - John Mudd
That's exactly what it was. Smart move by the President, either way.
Cheers.
5 - Hal Pawluk
Screw the reasons, I say: It was a terrific thing to do. Just what the troops needed, and no more than they deserved.
Would I cheerfully toss W out of the White House? In less than a heartbeat.
But this may be the only good thing done in his administration so let's just enjoy it.
6 - BB
I have to give Bush credit. He went to New York right after 9-11 and now this. The guy has got kahunas. There are not many Presidents that would put themselves into harms way (or proximity) like he has. Any way you look at it, it was a coup d'etat for his presidency. He showed courage to his troops and to the world, while giving Sadam the finger so to speak by showing up in his backyard. It was a brilliant tactical maneuver.
7 - Lukas Berk
Not a PR stunt? Why fabricate part of the story then?
From Reuters...
"Honor Verrier, a spokeswoman for British Airways in North America, said on Monday two BA aircraft were in the area at the time and neither radioed the president's plane to ask if it was Air Force One.
We have spoken to the British Airways captains who were in the area at the time and neither made comments to Air Force One nor did they hear any other aircraft make the statement over the radio," Verrier said in response to a question from Reuters."
The Turkey carried by the President was also different to the food actually being served to the solders.
From www.theage.com.au
"administration officials said on Wednesday that Mr Bush picked up a decorative turkey, not a serving plate, while the 600 soldiers were served from cafeteria-style trays, the officials said."
Why do that if not for the cameras?
8 - Van Santos
They didn't fabricate the story - the White House Communications Director was incorrect, and has tried to set the record straight -
From AP, 1:42 PM Dec 4 -
"The White House said the British accent of a pilot had led the Air Force One crew into thinking it was a British Airways operator who saw the presidential Boeing 747 on its surprise flight.
The London area air traffic control center, known as the National Air Traffic Services, said on Thursday that it was not a British Airways pilot who spotted the plane. The control center did not identity which airline was involved. "
As for the bird...
Yes, some of it was for the cameras. There is no doubt about that, but that does not make it a PR stunt. The other part is play for the troops.
I don't think it would do any good for the morale if the Pres came out serving dried food rations with water, do you?