Eavesdropping on Bush’s Eavesdropping Conversation
by Pamela LeaveyBush got nabbed by some eavesdropping reporters today at a retreat for the House Republican Caucus. He was busily defending his warrantless domestic spying (eavesdropping) program, “during what he thought were private remarks.” His comments on the NSA domestic spying (eavesdropping) came after 6 minutes of remarks intended for public consumption with reporters in the room.
After stroking “lawmakers with thanks” and giving “a gentle push for his 2006 priorities in a scaled-back version of last month’s State of the Union address,” Bush had the reporters ushered out of the room.
“I support the free press, let’s just get them out of the room,” Bush said — so the president could speak privately to his fellow Republicans. Bush launched into a defense of his NSA program, unaware that microphones were still on…
“I want to share some thoughts with you before I answer your questions,” said Bush, unaware that microphones were still on and were allowing those back in the White House press room to eavesdrop on his eavesdropping defense. “First of all, I expect this conversation we’re about to have to stay in the room. I know that’s impossible in Washington.”
That was not to be — and it was telling that the president chose the controversial NSA program as the first topic to raise out of reporters’ earshot. Even so, there was no substantive difference between those statements and the series of public speeches he has given recently on the program.
Bush also referred to how hard the work is being pResident in his talk with the House Republican Caucus. In referring to recent budget cuts that primarily affect the poor in this country, Bush said, “It’s hard work, to cut out and cut back on programs that don’t work,” Bush said. “Every program sounds beautiful in Washington, D.C. until you start analyzing the results.”
UPDATE: Ed Schultz was talking about this story on his show today. His feeling was the whole thing reeked of Rove… in other words the mic was left on, on purpose. Could not agree more with Big Ed! The fact that Bush said nothing to the House members in the room that had not been said in public already, made no sense at all — unless he was trying to make it seem like he had nothing to hide.
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I was listening to Ed Schultz today & he feels this has Karl Rove written all over it. He feels it was a set up because Bush simply stated some of the same things he has said in public. Maybe trying to show he is concerned and says the same thing in public as private? Trying to put on the impression that he can be trusted. What do you all think?
DAS
I would tend to agree with Ed. I actually sent this piece to Ed’s sound guy when I posted it. The story was fresh off the wires when I put it up. I heard Ed’s take on and agree whole heartedly. As a matter of fact, I’m going to update the piece and note what Ed said.
It does indeed sound like another version of the rovian bait. Bush send reporters out acting like what he was going to say is private then speaks the spill that he always says and I’m sure he had that stupid smirk on his face to. I’m sure the media whores fell for it as always.
Pen
At least the media whore who wrote the AP piece had some sort of an inkling and thought it was odd.