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March 02, 2005

Comments

If I were a newspaper editor, I would seriously consider not covering these fake town hall meetings. I mean, you might as well just read the press release. It's not like there's a lack of stories to cover.

That's much the same decision I've come to recently as well, Katherine. For me, though, the WH's press machine is pure theater. Time to start treating it (and the MSM that covers it without scepticism) like entertainment. Commercials during the televised SOTU address, writing/directing/producing credits at the end of speeches, reviews in the theater section of local papers.

what would happen if a reporter write a story like this:

    President Bush held a "town hall" meeting today, to discuss his plans for Social Security reform. The meeting was attended by a carefully-selected audience comprised solely of Bush supporters; people who disagre with the President's policies were not allowed to attend. As might be expected, he was warmly welcomed and his proposals were enthusiastically cheered.

the wingnuts would soil themselves in fury, of course. that can't be helped - it's what they do. but why shouldn't the rest of the country be told that the President has no clothes ?

"The last time the President was asked a question by an ordinary voter that had not been pre-screened in advance was..." would probably be gratuitous, but I'm really curious as to when it was.

I think it's time to try something more like this (with apologies to Ben Brantley):

Characters in Search of a Raison d'Etre

Opportunities for emotional connection between the President and his audience were scarce during his performance in "Town hall Meeting, Part 6" which opened last night Westfield, NJ. It was one of those productions that make you want to look anywhere but at the stage.

Despite, every so often, his smirk managing to seem unscripted, the audience still got the fleeting impression that some transubstantiated part of him was on his ranch or the golf course.

Watching a gifted actor, which Mr. Bush undeniably is, twist in the unforgiving winds of actuarial details isn't much fun, but the performance appears to be on its way to becoming a parody of itself, as even Mr. Bush can't help but scan the audience for something more interesting than his script to focus on.

There was a hint of believability behind some of the performances by the actors planted in the audience (the "Town's Folks"), but, try as he may, Mr. Bush's attempts to convince the viewers he hadn't heard their questions beforehand were mostly unsuccessful....


"that doesn't include disruptive behavior or obnoxiousness.""

There can be a medium between allowing in Michael Moore clones and Deaniacs to browbeat and shout down the President....and allowing in only the most deferential and enthuiastic supporters. Some filtering is not objectionable, tho this President is far too protected from opposing opinions.

In any case, as I understand the current state of the SS debate, it will be very hard to fill a room with nothing but supporters. They may need to look in neighbouring states.

Threadjack.

http://www.lifelikepundits.com/archives/000318.php>Gannon has a new interview

OMG.

I couldn't ignore the sneaking suspicion while reading that interview that "Aaron" was yet another alias for G/G and that he was interviewing himself. I mean doesn't this question read like those G/G asked at the White House?

There have been many complaints and skepticism by the establishment media about the "unchecked" conservative blogs involved in bringing down professionals like Dan Rather and Eason Jordon. However, they do not seem to complain about the allegations brought against you in "unchecked" liberal blogs in as much as they are repeating the allegations in newspapers and on network/cable news. What is the difference between what happened to Eason Jordan and Dan Rather and what has happened to you? Do you believe it involves your political beliefs?

Reports were that Bush's people cancelled a "town hall" meeting in Germany because the Germans wouldn't let the audience's questions be pre-screened.

Lessons in democracy from the Germans. Quelle horreur.

It should bother more people that the President, the guy charged with defending America, is a *sissy.*

There can be a medium between allowing in Michael Moore clones and Deaniacs to browbeat and shout down the President....and allowing in only the most deferential and enthuiastic supporters.

Bob McManus, your point is well taken, but your characterization is offensive. When have Dean supporters browbeaten and shouted down anyone at any event, much less a GOP campaign stop? And I can't even imagine what a "Michael Moore clone" is... someone who uses big visual props or stunt questions, I guess?

I'm a "Deaniac," in the sense of having supported his campaign for President and his campaign for DNC chair. Katherine is a "Deaniac." Literally millions of Americans are "Deaniacs". In the rare event where genuine questions and opposition can be expressed at these meetings, I would expect "Deaniacs" to be among the best at expressing objections to the campaign to phase out Social Security -- because many of them, through Democracy for America and local Democratic campaigns, have been working in their communities for the last two years in distinctly UN-obnoxious and UN-disruptive ways.

Unless you can cite a series of instances to the contrary, Bob, please withdraw the term as shorthand for obnoxious and disrupive, and an apology wouldn't hurt.

I'm a Deaniac!

Ich bin ein Deaniaker!

How do you screen for supporters of a proposal that is a chimera? Sometimes a proposal exists, but whenever specific criticisms of the most likely proposal are made, an apologist like Tom DeLay says that no proposal is on the table.

Apparently Bush now wants blind loyalty. That sounds like a recipe for electoral disaster next year for the Republicans.

"Bob, please withdraw the term as shorthand for obnoxious and disrupive, and an apology wouldn't hurt."

Withdrawn, with apologies.

I suppose.

I have the utmost respect and admiration for Howard Dean and his supporters, whose prescience and political acumen are being I hope reassessed after the results of the last election. Those, like myself, who chose a "safer" candidate in desperation may have been very wrong. I aupported Rosenberg for DNC chair, but only by a hair, and was horrified that my own ex-Congressmen Frost was in the running. I have been umm, radicalized? Is that offensive?

"Obnoxious & disruptive" were not my words, tho I did quote them. Nor did I necessarily imply, that were I to be in a "town-hall meeting" with the President, obnoxious, disruptive, browbeating, or shouting-down would be in themselves inappropriate behavior. Nor would be necessarily unfair to think that the President and his supporters would have different standards than myself as to what an inappropriate question, in tone and content, might be.

This is fun, but I better stop before I get to an imaginary closed room, myself, and George Bush.

Oops. Before Timmy mindreads a posting-rule violation in that last line, I of course meant only a stern dressing-down. With vigorous expression of disapproval.

If I were a newspaper editor, I would seriously consider not covering these fake town hall meetings.

Count me in those uninterested in the Potemkin town hall meetings.

What a delightfull thread! Sadly the MSM is going to continue to cover these things. If they didn't the danger that some real news might sneak in would be too great.

@ Bob: Apology accepted, and "I suppose.." second thoughts enjoyed! Also let me thank you for your articulate evaluation of Sen. Byrd in Sebastian's judiciary thread.

But: Nice work you and Gary F. do... Now I can't think of Robert E. Lee without cracking up at the Rommel/tanks line. A non-trivial thing, given that my town has R.E.Lee references at every turn.

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