Bush Asked if Mel Gibson Should be Forgiven

JaJae · 08-02-2006, 11:47 PM

ush Makes Last Call at Briefing Room

By JENNIFER LOVEN
The Associated Press
Wednesday, August 2, 2006; 9:28 PM

WASHINGTON -- President Bush offered White House reporters plush armchair seating in the West Wing briefing room, with suede or velvet upholstery, and double the space.

Then he took it all back.

"Forget it," the president said Wednesday, as he and reporters bid goodbye to the briefing room and work spaces that the White House press corps has occupied in some form since the Nixon administration. "You get to work like the rest of us," Bush said.

What reporters hope the president and his aides don't take back are their promises that the media's eviction from West Wing quarters will not be permanent.

The White House has scheduled the run-down, outdated space for a massive renovation. But a time frame that has expanded from three months to now nine months, and the fact that plans for the new quarters are not even complete as demolition was set to begin Thursday, have fueled speculation about the notoriously press-wary Bush White House's real agenda.

"Tell us the truth," reporters told press secretary Tony Snow on Wednesday.

"You'll be back," he replied.

The move to temporary quarters across Pennsylvania Avenue warranted a party hosted by the White House Correspondents Association; a surprise appearance by Bush and first lady Laura Bush; and a visit by several former White House press secretaries.

The result was a particularly unruly iteration of the daily briefing, an on-camera midday exchange with the White House press secretary that is always by turns earnest and madcap.

There were the usual serious questions.

Then someone offered to sing "Auld Lang Syne." Someone else passed out. And former ABC News White House correspondent Sam Donaldson reprised his role as a relentless presidential questioner, refusing to cede his desire to find out whether Bush believes actor Mel Gibson should be forgiven for an anti-Semitic rant after a drunken driving arrest.

"You're a has-been. We don't have to answer has-been's questions," Bush shot at Donaldson.

"Better to have been a has-been than a never was," the TV man retorted.

The conditions in the room _ hardly the place of glamour depicted in movies _ demonstrated the need. Condensation dripped from air conditioning vents. Ceiling tiles were warped and cracked. Duct tape held chairs together. The standing-room-only crowd competed with trash for space.

"I know you've been complaining about the digs for a while," Bush said. "Let me just say, we felt your pain."

Bush seems to have a funny side lately. I like this side of Bush personally.

IminWonderland · 08-03-2006, 12:14 AM

I don't. I don't know why but I expect more out of Republicans...

kinggovernor · 08-03-2006, 12:28 AM

he always jokes/picks on reporters

kinggovernor · 08-03-2006, 12:28 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

I don't. I don't know why but I expect more out of Republicans...

because they are fat cats or white trash?

IminWonderland · 08-03-2006, 12:58 AM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

because they are fat cats or white trash?

I think recently...and I am not speaking about anyone here or specifically, I am speaking stereotypically....

I was raised to believe that Republicans were the wealthy of society, they were affluent, they had class....and that the Democrats were the party for the working class...

I would say in the past 10 years...the Republican Party has become more "white trash" "red neck", more "NASCAR" and "MILLER LIGHT" than what it used to be, and I believe that this President reflects that a little bit more than they used to before.

Scrum · 08-03-2006, 01:00 AM

Originally Posted by IminWonderland

I would say in the past 10 years...the Republican Party has become more "white trash" "red neck", more "NASCAR" and "MILLER LIGHT" than what it used to be, and I believe that this President reflects that a little bit more than they used to before.

DosEquis · 08-03-2006, 01:05 AM

This president is trash. Everything from his "Yo blair" to "syria stop doing this shit" comment to his other bullshit. On individual bases its not a huge deal, but he is the most powerful person and most important representative of our country. He handles himself extremely poor in environments that require a professional attitude.

motivez · 08-03-2006, 01:32 AM

I don't know that it's a huge deal that he jokes around with reporters, but I agree his folksy attitude is somewhat

It's great that him and Blair are friends and all, but it was disrespectful to address the Prime Minister the way he did while chewing with his mouth open.

TheMrs · 08-03-2006, 01:48 AM

It's embarrassing is what it is. A person in a position such as his should carry that sort of presense of leadership - not a presense of a Dukes of Hazard occupant. Whatever happened to having some decorum?

I used to work as a mortgage broker for a big corporation. My boss was a very powerful man and he wore that role. It didn't mean he was arrogant or selfish - it simply meant that by him wearing or owning that position of power, it commanded respect and attention. He had the presense of a leader.

Bush does not have that, and it's been a long time since we've had a POTUS that has.

Nonphixion · 08-03-2006, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by kinggovernor

he always jokes/picks on reporters

Who's got the clip of him making fun of a blind man wearing sunglasses?

He took it very well

ballz2wallz · 08-03-2006, 08:29 AM

yeah i saw that press conference, it was pretty awesome...he had the whole room rollin.

kinggovernor · 08-03-2006, 09:11 AM

Originally Posted by TheMrs

It's embarrassing is what it is. A person in a position such as his should carry that sort of presense of leadership - not a presense of a Dukes of Hazard occupant. Whatever happened to having some decorum?

I used to work as a mortgage broker for a big corporation. My boss was a very powerful man and he wore that role. It didn't mean he was arrogant or selfish - it simply meant that by him wearing or owning that position of power, it commanded respect and attention. He had the presense of a leader.

Bush does not have that, and it's been a long time since we've had a POTUS that has.

Presidents and people in general are still getting used to be on tape every waking minute. Private conversations become public because of the endless videotaping

Phantom · 08-03-2006, 09:15 AM

so the liberals are complaining that the president isn't stuffy enough?

ballz2wallz · 08-03-2006, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Phantom

so the liberals are complaining that the president isn't stuffy enough?

yes

lew · 08-03-2006, 10:09 AM

Bush's easy-going attitude is about the only thing I do like about him.

Sure, alot of times, he comes across as an idiot. But other times, he comes across as just your average joe.

Personally, I hate when Presidents try to act aristocratic or some crap like that.

Diesel66 · 08-03-2006, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by Nonphixion

Who's got the clip of him making fun of a blind man wearing sunglasses?

He took it very well

He didnt know the guy was blind at the time and appoligized for it.

Why in the hell was he even asked that question ?

DosEquis · 08-03-2006, 03:20 PM

Originally Posted by Phantom

so the liberals are complaining that the president isn't stuffy enough?

I dont have a problem with him when he is clearing brush on his ranch. He can curse, pee outside into the wind, put on a coffee stained t-shirt, and play with his dogs. I dont care if he drinks beer or whatever.

But when you are at the G8 summit with the worlds most important leaders its time to put a game face on. I like the 'average joe' kinda guy, but when he is clocked in he needs to know his role.

motivez · 08-03-2006, 08:50 PM

Originally Posted by DosEquis

I dont have a problem with him when he is clearing brush on his ranch. He can curse, pee outside into the wind, put on a coffee stained t-shirt, and play with his dogs. I dont care if he drinks beer or whatever.

But when you are at the G8 summit with the worlds most important leaders its time to put a game face on. I like the 'average joe' kinda guy, but when he is clocked in he needs to know his role.

I think there's a difference between being non stuffy and just being crass. He was most definitely crass at the G8, and it doesnt make us look good..

Obviously though, that's not something he cares about.