Smart Man

[ELKCHSR]

No 'Negotiating with Myself' for Bush

Tue Dec 21, 3:03 PM ET - Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - In Washington, there are plenty of ways to say "no comment," but President Bush offered his own formulation, when he refused to "negotiate with myself in public."

Bush used the phrase Monday to deflect a question on the future of Social Security (news - web sites) at a televised news conference.

"Now, the temptation is going to be, by well-meaning people such as yourself and others here, as we run up to the issue, to get me to negotiate with myself in public," Bush told the questioner. "To say, you know, "What's this mean, Mr. President? What's that mean?


"I'm not going to do that. I don't get to write the law. I'll propose a solution at the appropriate time," Bush said.


In essence, this Bushism means the president will discuss options on such issues as Social Security with members of Congress who write the law, but not with the media.


Asked to explain one facet of his Social Security policy, Bush agreed but said, "I will try to explain how without negotiating with myself. It's a very tricky way to get me to play my cards. I understand that."

 

[MattK]

In other words, he screws up in public speaking so much that he will not answer questions. We already knew that he isn't well versed in walking and talking at the same time. He has many "bushisms", that's what creates all the jokes for the comedians.

 

[ELKCHSR]

LOL...Sure what ever...
I think it means more in the lines of
He doesn't want to debate any thing in the media that should be put to congress and it is congress who is actaully to blame for all the things gunner and Buzz put up as Bushes fault....

 

[BuzzH]

Thats what happens when you're captain of the ship, you take responsibility, somthing Shrub passes off to someone else...

A smart man would be one that directs his congress in good decision making...not passing the buck.

 

[MattK]

I don't think I've ever heard someone say "The most intelligent person I've heard is GW." Just doesn't happen. I wonder why? I also wonder why someone who can lead us in a war would be so indecisive when it comes to policy that he should directing?

Elkchsr- Do you feel GW is the most intelligent person to lead the United States? Do you feel he does well in debates? Do you feel he is a quick concise thinker? Do you think he is a good public speaker?

All of these qualities should be inherent in a political leader of a country. I can't say I feel he has any of these in great quantities.

 

[BigHornRam]

Grasshopper,

Shut your yap and pay attention to how Bush works this issue. You might learn something.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Buzz - I don't think that a President can direct "his" Congress to do anything. While Bush has the benefit of his party controlling both houses, it is not such a strong majority that backs him completely on all issues that you could legitimately call it "his" Congress.

He will still have to work and compromise with them.


MattK - why does a President need to do well in debates?

 

[MattK]

Calif. Hunter- I believe he should be able to answer ANY question asked of him on an issue he is trying to get through congress. He wishes to stay away from public opinion. Just another reason to back a President who could care less about what the people want. How can you work out a compromise without being able to debate an issue. I guess I ask too much of a President that is supposed to lead the world's greatest power.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Sorry, MattK - I took "debate" as meaning to argue, not to work out an agreement, negotiate or compromise. Communication skills are important.

 

[ELKCHSR]

Elkchsr- Do you feel GW is the most intelligent person to lead the United States? Do you feel he does well in debates? Do you feel he is a quick concise thinker? Do you think he is a good public speaker?

I will take these one at a time, otherwise I will get hit for rambling....
1. There are a lot of people that would be "intelligent' to run the U.S. but part of this equation is-can these same people take the heat of this particular office?
You don't have to be super intelligent to be top dog in anything, where you have to be smart is surrounding yourself with those that are and can get the job done.
He has done that very well....
As for over all smarts, I think he is smart enough for the job.

2. I am not so sure that you have to be the best at a debate, from what I can see about the job, there is more to being a leader than just winning debates.
This goes back to part of my first answer, if you surround yourself with very able people to get different jobs completed, then I see that as a better attribute.

Over all, I believe this president is far better than the recent runner up. They are both still a little more liberal than I like, but Bush is far more honest and forth coming with what and who he is than Kerry is/was.
I personally like that in any one I know, true honesty and not being opensy blatent two face.
I would personally like to see more honest people around, especially in places of authority and position. But I also like to see it in those I am around. That is why I get along with most and those that try to Heckle and Jeckle lives I see as freaks...

 

[JoseCuervo]

Buzz - I don't think that a President can direct "his" Congress to do anything. While Bush has the benefit of his party controlling both houses, it is not such a strong majority that backs him completely on all issues that you could legitimately call it "his" Congress.

Cali,
But the reason he is proceeding on SS is the "mandate" he got from the 51% of the voters. How can a GOP President with a "mandate" from the people not be able to direct "his" Congress?

He must not be much of a leader???

 

[ELKCHSR]

I don't remember Klinton getting his whole party on board with every thing he proposed and there are a few in the Congress that are liberals in conservative clothing.
I am guessing that if every one went along with every thing the president came up with, then you would be accusing them of being mind-numbed robots.
I don't see you agreeing with any thing this administration comes up with just because of your disdain for the word republican or conservative.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

"How can a GOP President with a "mandate" from the people not be able to direct "his" Congress?"

Because it is not "his" Congress. It is a few hundred individuals from differing geographic/economic areas, all of whom have their own "mandate." If you think a leader gets his/her way completely on each and every issue, and if he/she does not, then they are not a leader - you're mistaken.

 

[JoseCuervo]

Is he really a "leader" if he can't get "his" GOP Congress to go along with the top issues he has claimed a "mandate" for? Was he lying when he said he had a "mandate" to change SS?

"One of my charges," Bush said in a 39-minute speech at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, "is to explain to Congress as clearly as I can: 'The crisis is now. You may not feel it, your constituents may not be overwhelming you with letters demanding a fix now, but the crisis is now.' "

Bush made clear that he intends to expend considerable political energy in pushing for a partial privatization of Social Security to help secure the program, which faces sizable shortfalls over the next few decades. By 2018, he said, Social Security will be paying out more than it collects, and over the long term the system faces a $10.4 trillion unfunded liability.

"I will also assure members of Congress that this is an issue on which I campaigned, and I'm still standing," he said. The line at first sounded defiant, as if to assert that he had a mandate despite his opponents, and the audience of supporters responded with exuberant applause.

Sounds like he is going to be "leading" if he is spending "considerable political energy."
How is ol' Dubya doing on that Spacestation on the Moon he is building? How is Dubya's trip to Mars going??? Remember last year's plans???? Kinda like in '03 when he was looking for them WMD's.... Next....

 

[BuzzH]

Cali,

I think I worded that wrong, when I said "his" congress I should have just said, "directs the congress that he is supposed to work with"

I expect a decent president to be a leader of the congress and to work with them on issues that need attention, not pass the buck as everything being the fault of congress, and he sure as hell should know what congress is up to.

What kind of "leader" doesnt assume responsibility for their job, and answer questions about HIS proposals for securing S.S.? A pretty piss poor one if you ask me.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

"as if to assert that he had a mandate"


You made the last 4 words bold , but not the first two.... a major difference.


I still do not consider it "his" Congress. If it was truly his, then he would get his way on everything, n'est-ce pas? Even if he feels he has a mandate from the people, that does mean that Congress is going to go along. After all, they may not feel that he has a mandate. It is, after, a matter of opinion since no one is able to come up with one sole reason, to the exclusion of all others, that Bush won.

 

[Moosie]

What kind of "leader" doesnt assume responsibility for their job, and answer questions about HIS proposals for securing S.S.? A pretty piss poor one if you ask me.

Buzz, Nothing he said was Pushing off the buck to someone else. I think the whole topic was about the president making fun of the Media. I'm guessing if those A$$ Whipe Media Freaks would leave the President alone he could get more stuff done. I think the Whole TV pulling phrases out of what someone says is Funny, It's done all the time on TV now aday. I'm the first one to laugh at a Good joke and do so even if it's me. But the Microscope crap jsut to catch them Fugg up is A bit anoing to me and Alot of others.

To speak in public you need to be a Good debator, need to not mess up with words, Needs to say what people want to hear, and I think with John Kerry we would have got that. Hell, thats why 49% of the people wanted him.....

But with Bush, we got someone with Common sense. I'd rather have someone like that then Kerry who knew what to say all the time.

 

[Moosie]

Any Questions /!?!

 

[BigHornRam]

Moosie,

Your wisdom is starting to impress me. Moosie in 08!

 

[BuzzH]

Moosie,

I agree to an extent, but Bush should be answering questions about what he's going to do with S.S., and he should know what congress is up to. Just saying "I wont negotiate with myself" isnt cutting it, the United States Citizens want answers...and they arent getting them from Shrub. Where do the go for answers? If not the CIC and Congress...why elect them to start with?

Also, I dont think Shrub has much common sense, as per his "mission accomplished" speech, "axis of evil" speech, his multi-trillion dollar defecit, etc. etc. etc.

JMO.