Suitably Flip

Bush Press Conference

President Bush spoke with members of the press this morning in the East Room of the Oval Office, in follow-up to last night's address to the nation.

Questions ranged from the improperly leaked NSA surveillance information to progress in Iraq to race baiting.  I haven't seen a transcript or video yet, but Bulldog Pundit at Ankle Biting Pundits put up a thorough liveblog.

None of the questions were particularly incisive, nor was there much new substance to the answers (at least to those that have been paying attention lately, which - judging by prevailing rhetoric and media coverage - includes a limited swath of the public).  But what impressed me about the back-and-forth was Bush's ability (and willingness) to smack down or sidestep all the flawed premises, poisoned wells, and loaded questions that saturated the press corps' barrage.

Capping this year-end blitz of renewed rhetorical vigor with an appropriately assertive interactive performance like this strikes me as a smart move and an indication the Bush feels he's got a bit of his groove back when it comes to defending sound policy and rebuffing faulty criticism.

Update:

The White House has released a transcript and video.

Comments

Bush Press Conference

President Bush spoke with members of the press this morning in the East Room of the Oval Office, in follow-up to last night's address to the nation.

Questions ranged from the improperly leaked NSA surveillance information to progress in Iraq to race baiting.  I haven't seen a transcript or video yet, but Bulldog Pundit at Ankle Biting Pundits put up a thorough liveblog.

None of the questions were particularly incisive, nor was there much new substance to the answers (at least to those that have been paying attention lately, which - judging by prevailing rhetoric and media coverage - includes a limited swath of the public).  But what impressed me about the back-and-forth was Bush's ability (and willingness) to smack down or sidestep all the flawed premises, poisoned wells, and loaded questions that saturated the press corps' barrage.

Capping this year-end blitz of renewed rhetorical vigor with an appropriately assertive interactive performance like this strikes me as a smart move and an indication the Bush feels he's got a bit of his groove back when it comes to defending sound policy and rebuffing faulty criticism.

Update:

The White House has released a transcript and video.