W Hit the Nail on the Head

[slugshooter]

I was watching a little of W's final White House press conference the other morning, and felt that I should have posted this but am now just getting around to it. He was asked a question by a reporter from the New York Times, well, two questions actually, the first one I didn't catch but he said that he wouldn't answer it because he wasn't going to be partisan. She asked him then if he felt he had made any mistakes over the last 8 years. He admitted that he felt that hanging the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the aircraft carrier was a mistake, and then he spoke about Hurricane Katrina and what he would have done different. If you remember, one of the things he was criticized for was for flying over the area in Air Force One and not landing. He basically defended himself for that decision by saying that "Had I decided to land, you would be criticizing me for having done so, because then the law enforcement resources would have been pulled away from protecting citizens and property by having to come take care of me." I think that will be one of the legacies of his administration. No matter what he did, he was going to be criticized for it. Which may be true of all presidents, for every person that agrees with a decision, there will be those that don't. In these last few weeks though, I have noticed that instead of being "diplomatic" in his responses, he has been a little more forthcoming. His farewell address tonight should be interesting.

[wtnhunt]

I was watching a little of W's final White House press conference the other morning, and felt that I should have posted this but am now just getting around to it. He was asked a question by a reporter from the New York Times, well, two questions actually, the first one I didn't catch but he said that he wouldn't answer it because he wasn't going to be partisan. She asked him then if he felt he had made any mistakes over the last 8 years. He admitted that he felt that hanging the "Mission Accomplished" banner on the aircraft carrier was a mistake, and then he spoke about Hurricane Katrina and what he would have done different. If you remember, one of the things he was criticized for was for flying over the area in Air Force One and not landing. He basically defended himself for that decision by saying that "Had I decided to land, you would be criticizing me for having done so, because then the law enforcement resources would have been pulled away from protecting citizens and property by having to come take care of me." I think that will be one of the legacies of his administration. No matter what he did, he was going to be criticized for it. Which may be true of all presidents, for every person that agrees with a decision, there will be those that don't. In these last few weeks though, I have noticed that instead of being "diplomatic" in his responses, he has been a little more forthcoming. His farewell address tonight should be interesting.

I caught that too Marc. I really cannot recall any president in my lifetime that has fell under so much criticism. I do believe that no matter how he handled the situation with Katrina that he would have been ridiculed, but what more could he have done than to tell the people to get out like he did, it really was not his fault that so many people did not heed the warnings. He made a very solid point in his argument/defense for his reasons for not landing the plane.

The man has been in tough positions, I cannot say as though I envy him in the positions he was put into and cannot say I could have done any better with dealing with the situations/decisions he faced. I do believe his legacy will also show that he made tough decisions to attempt to keep our country safe; however I am afraid that if we get attacked on our soil under the Obama administration, which seems like might be a good posibility from several comments including the vice president elect, that somehow the blame will be tried to be put back on Bush.

[stevebeilgard]

i took notice of that also, marc. what he did not mention is that when air force 1 is no the airport, that airport is closed until af1 takes off again. that means no helicopters refueling. remember when clinton decided he needed a haircut, and the airport in california was closed for 2 hours as passenger airplanes were on hold or directed to land elsewhere? he'd have had that type of situation and, of course, been criticized.

you watch, bush will be blamed for everyting that happens for years and years to come. sure, it's normal to blame the recession on bush, just like we did on clinton 8 years ago. but a year later, clinton was no longer mentioned. i think we're in for some disasterous years ahead, and i believe that the 2012 election will focus more on the bush depression and not on obama. that's all obama has for defense.

[wtnhunt]

i took notice of that also, marc. what he did not mention is that when air force 1 is no the airport, that airport is closed until af1 takes off again. that means no helicopters refueling. remember when clinton decided he needed a haircut, and the airport in california was closed for 2 hours as passenger airplanes were on hold or directed to land elsewhere? he'd have had that type of situation and, of course, been criticized.

I remember that Steve, the $500 haircut if I remember right, which in reality cost a whole lot more for the reasons you mentioned. If I remember correctly that was pretty quick after Clinton took office too.

Yeah, pretty sad that whatever he did under any circumstances faced with after things became so divisive, that the media portrayals of Bush would be twisted to be seen negatively. Shame the unity seen immediately after Sept 11th did not carry longer than what it did.

[EricF]

It's been said that every President rides the wave created by the one before...that results of a four year term will not be felt until the following term. I'm confident GW acted in ways he felt best and at times he felt best. It's almost unfathomable to believe an individual in charge of such a large nation would act solely on his own accord...though some would still say he did. As for the weapons of mass destruction...at the time intelligence said they were there...turns out they were not. Any intelligence is 'excellent' intelligence until proven otherwise...in this case it was proven otherwise...and unfortunate incident...it happens. I had GW visit my unit when I was in Philadelphia...worked with the Secret Squirrels for three weeks beforehand...got my 'senior in high school' daughter a front row spot...she shook hands with the president...he said to her, "how are you little lady...what's your name?" and took her hand. She idolizes the man and I think he did well with what he had to work with.