NPR has audio of the * teleconference REHEARSAL -- link:

[highplainsdem]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4957379


The "Hear the Rehearsal" link is under the photo.

by David Greene

All Things Considered, October 13, 2005

President Bush's administration has been marked by a savvy use of technology and media strategy. From staging optimal photo-ops to conjuring message-appropriate backdrops at speeches, the president's staff has been diligent in its work.

That work has never been more important than now, with the president's polling numbers slipping and an election in Iraq looming. And so it was early Thursday, with President Bush slated to chat with soldiers stationed in Iraq, that his staff ran through his opening remarks -- and some questions -- without the commander-in-chief being present.

While it's common to use a trial run to ensure things go smoothly when the president arrives, the event, recorded by NPR, offered some insights into the meticulous nature of advance work.

<snip>

[HeeBGBz]

1. Very interesting

Puppets.

[berni_mccoy]

2. "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!"

:kick:

The covers are off and people get to see the true ugliness of these criminals.

[jackstraw45]

3. LOL...send this around to everyone you know

The Photo-Op Presidency

[highplainsdem]

4. kick

[DoYouEverWonder]

5. Isn't it an abuse of power

To use combat troops for props?

[highplainsdem]

7. Yes, and it's apparently one of *'s favorite abuses of power.

[Endangered Specie]

6. Oh man, they thought their funding was gonna get CUT before this...

just wait (:thumbsup: for NPR)

[hedgehog]

8. I laughed out loud while listening to it at work today

I wear hearing protection with a built in radio that only picks up NPR. I'm waitin g to see if the TV networks pick up on this tonight.

[highplainsdem]

9. They did. ABC made it clear the staging was the story, not the

teleconference itself.

[catzies]

10. I'm speechless.

:wow: