Time for a White House Communications Team Overhaul?

[TSawyer2112]

I caught part of the O'Reilly factor this evening (not the biggest O'Reilly fan, but he makes some good points every now and then) He had Tony Snow on discussing the Administration's feeble attempts to make it's case regarding the UAE ports deal (The Cheney incident was also briefly mentioned). It reminded me how increasingly frustrated I have become with the apparent impotence of the White House Communications team whether it's not taking advantage of the recently released Saddam tapes, failing to effectively trumpet good economic news, or (regardless of your position on the issue) failing to expeditiously put together a defense of the UAE ports deal, as well as a host of other issues. The communications team is reactive when they should be proactive. What makes it worse, is they appear to have the reaction of a tree sloth. This administration seems oblivious to the need to defend itself at a crucial time. Is this communications team just going to phone it for the rest the Administration's tenur? NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR TIMIDITY.

:soap:

[Elgalad]

NOW IS NOT THE TIME FOR TIMIDITY.
Hear hear!

Watching the Administration's responses to foreign and domestic policy issues over the last few years, one has to ask the question, "How the bloody Heck did this guy (President Bush) get elected/reelected!?"

For the most part, I Have admired and respected the President's actions and policies since he was elected. I am a staunch supporter of his policy regarding the War on Terror and the Liberation of Iraq. But just as your post suggests, I believe his public political responses have been incredibly bad. Every time our nation or our allies are attacked by terrorists, the President goes out of his way to remind us that "not All muzzies are nasty, after all, Islam is the Religion of Peace!". While he makes 'noises' against our terrorist foes and promises that they will be brought to justice, he seems to reserve his Harshest rhetoric for those who just don't 'get' his agenda, especially those within his own party (see: The Harriet Myers nomination). He openly embraces Ted Kennedy for a photo opportunity and then (reportedly) makes it clear Tom Tancredo is not welcome at the White House. The list goes on and on..

Is Karl Rove responsible for these gaffs? And if so, why are any of us still supporting him? Oh, yes, I do enjoy the way he freaks Hillary out.. "Karl Rove is obsessed with me (http://www.breitbart.com/news/2006/02/27/D8G1O12G2.html)" and the way that he seems to get nearly every Liberal in Washington worked into a tizzy every time he opens his mouth.. but I'd really like to know that the person directly responsible for the President's public image is focusing on THAT duty first.

But Is image really all that important for a lame duck President? The case could be made that he's got nothing to lose, so no, it isn't. But that's assuming he doesn't intend to do anything significant for the next 2.5 years until he leaves office. If he does, then yes Image IS vital! This is where my frustration truly begins.. Because far more importantly than the President building a legacy in his remaining term.. we also have to retain a majority in Washington. There is simply no question in my mind that if we lose power now, every gain that we have made in the War on Terror will be lost and our national security will be shattered, perhaps irretrievably.

The President appears to be stuck now at the controls of an old steam locomotive that's somehow got off on a trunk line. While the rest of us are wondering when he's going to come, hook up to our cars, and lead us all to our destination, he is instead stoking up the boiler and preparing to head off without us towards.. who knows where (?), totally oblivious to his supporters and erstwhile political allies. We need to find a way to remind him that we need HIM now just as much as he needed us in 2000 and 2004. We need him to keep the train of Conservatism on track and help us retain power in Washington.


-Elgalad

[sunsettommy]

Yup they are indeed very bad at it.

I am not sure they are timid.I think they just have a poor team of people in the Administration in communicating with the public.

[Native American]

Well, it sure doesn't help things when foolish Republican Congressmen start talking about a Coast Guard report that they themselves apparently haven't read, or help when the Antique Media picks up and runs with a false story about what the Coast Guard actually said, and when conservatives on discussion forums repeat the lies of those false and innaccurate Antique Media "news" reports!

I'd say it's more of a case of it being high time for an overhaul of the ersatz "news" media! And there's more than a few conservative posters who need to overhaul their critical thinking/analysis skills, I'd say. To place the entire blame on President Bush (as the Democrats always want to do, for everything) is foolish. The people most at fault here are those in the Mainstream Media and those who repeat the lies, distortions, innaccuracies, and just plain leftist propaganda of the Mainstream Media!

[SkiGuy]

The people most at fault here are those in the Mainstream Media and those who repeat the lies, distortions, innaccuracies, and just plain leftist propaganda of the Mainstream Media!

Excellent point, Native. http://yelims5.free.fr/Zik/Musique47.gif THAT'S what the problem is. And wasn't the Cheney story the TOP news item for about 5 or 6 days? I was like, come on, get over it already.

[Native American]

Excellent point, Native. http://yelims5.free.fr/Zik/Musique47.gif THAT'S what the problem is. And wasn't the Cheney story the TOP news item for about 5 or 6 days? I was like, come on, get over it already.

Exactly. The UAE terminals story broke IN THE MIDDLE of the Antique Media frenzy over Vice President Cheney, but the Antique Media didn't see any need to report on that story until days later, and the Democrats didn't see any need to begin discussing it! And then, days later, all of a sudden it's "an important story" to the Antique Media and the Democrats.

Get real, Democrat Party.