Bush interview in USA Today

[zakur]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politicselections/nation/president/2004-08-26-bush-interview_x.htm

Gotta hand it to the guy...he's one confident son of a gun:

"They've seen me make decisions, they've seen me under trying times, they've seen me weep, they've seen me laugh, they've seen me hug," he said. "And they know who I am, and I believe they're comfortable with the fact that they know I'm not going to shift principles or shift positions based upon polls and focus groups."

[...]

Bush was most animated when he was asked about how he would react to losing his last campaign. He was asked if he and his wife, Laura, hadn't said that they would be fine if Kerry wins. Bush interrupted sharply. "I have never said that," he insisted. In a June interview, however, Laura Bush said she has "of course" considered the possibility that there might not be a second term. "No matter what happens in the election," she said, "we'll be OK."

"I have not said that," Bush repeated, "because I am not going to come in second. We'll prevail. I don't think that way. I believe we're going to win."

[...]

He deflected a question about what he would most worry about in a Kerry presidency with a quick retort: "I don't believe there's going to be a Kerry presidency."

In other ways he seems completely oblivious:

Still, he said, the campaign "really doesn't seem that ugly to me."

[...]

"I think the most disappointing thing has been that Washington is a harsh environment. It's very political, and it is very much dominated by special interests, much more so than I envisioned when I went to Washington. I pledged to work to change the tone in Washington, and I'll continue to pledge to work to change the tone in Washington. "

Experts were saying months ago that this campaign was already one of the ugliest in history. And gee, Washington is very political? Whoda thunk it?

His comment about discussing the gay marriage amendment with his gay friends doesn't ring true to either.

"of course I've heard from people that are my friends who are gay"

People. That are my friends. Who are gay.

Who talks like that?

 

[fishbob]

Two comments:

I believe they're comfortable with the fact that they know I'm not going to shift principles or shift positions based upon polls and focus groups."

or facts or reality.

Experts were saying months ago that this campaign was already one of the ugliest in history.

The experts say that every election.

 

[TragicMonkey]

His comment about discussing the gay marriage amendment with his gay friends doesn't ring true to either.

"of course I've heard from people that are my friends who are gay"

People. That are my friends. Who are gay.

Who talks like that?

Someone who doesn't want to put the sentence fragment "my gay friends" out there ready for soundbite. Those words coming out of his mouth could cost him a bunch of votes!

 

[epepke]

"of course I've heard from people that are my friends who are gay"

People. That are my friends. Who are gay.

Who talks like that?

I have no love whatsoever for Bush, every politician talks like that, because if you don't, every half-wit, half-ass comic is going to harp on "Bush: 'My Gay Friends'" until you practically have to shoot the television a la Elvis to stop the blood coming out of your ears.

 

[aerocontrols]

The experts say that every election.

Also: It's the most important election in history.

I'm only old enough to have voted in three presidential elections, but that one already annoys me.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Also: It's the most important election in history.

I'm only old enough to have voted in three presidential elections, but that one already annoys me.

It's just like the "Trial of the Century" that we have every two months.

 

[Snide]

My personal fave:

...and I'll continue to pledge to work to change the tone in Washington.

He'll continue the pledges, not the work.