MSNBC: "Bush opens his inner circle to contrarians, but to what end?"

[Human Torch]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/

White House opens door to dissenters
Aversion to criticism appears to be fading, but to what end?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13108106/

When retired Gen. Barry R. McCaffrey criticized the Bush administration's handling of the Iraq war three years ago, he was lambasted as an armchair general and deemed an adversary by the Pentagon. So even McCaffrey was surprised to find himself in the Oval Office this week giving President Bush his thoughts on Iraq.

A White House long accused of squelching internal dissent and ignoring outside viewpoints has been reaching out lately to prominent figures who have disagreed with the president. Bush just hired a Treasury secretary who opposed his policy on global warming and a press secretary who dismissed his domestic agenda as timid and listless.

How much such moves reflect a genuine opening up for an insular White House remains uncertain. Symbolically, at least, the White House is eager to rebut the longstanding public impression of a president in a bunker listening only to like-minded advisers. Substantively, Bush has hardly signaled a major course change in the direction of his presidency, and skeptics recall past instances when nonconformists within the administration were shut out.

Yet some Washington veterans detect signs of a tentative new willingness by the administration to heed the advice of others rather than sticking stubbornly to its position. Just this week, under pressure from European allies and U.S. foreign policy elders, the administration reversed itself and agreed to join talks with Iran if it suspends nuclear activities. And last week, Bush temporarily sealed documents seized from a congressman's office in response to complaints from Capitol Hill.



President Bush appears with new Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson in the Rose Garden on May 30. Paulson's nomination marked a departure for a White House that has been described as insular, because Paulson has openly opposed Bush's policy on global warming.

[AlamoDemoc]

1. Who's that man? is he the newly appointed Iraqi ambassador?

:sarcasm:

[NCarolinawoman]

5. Actually, Paulson is the past President of the Nature Conservancy.

He was appointed as recently as 2004. He is a passionate environmentalist and he supports Al Gore's views on global warming. His wife gives tons of money to environmental causes, including the League of Conservation Voters. All this along with his prominent position on Wall Street.

I don't know how this will tie in with his being Treasury Secretary but I read that many in Bush's circle didn't want him because he is so "GREEN". Bush needs Paulson now because he is concerned about his legacy. Paulson said he would only take the job if the position is on a par with the Secretary of Defense. Cheney is now required to attend meetings in the treasury building, instead of he and Rove calling all the shots. In the article that I read in The Wall Street Journal, it said that Paulson and his wife are passionate animal lovers. I wonder what he thinks of Cheney's hunting techniques? (killing hand-raised pheasants and ducks, 75 in one hour). Ha!

At the very least, this might be interesting to watch. They need Paulson more than he needs them.

[cliss]

2. You see, that's the whole thing.

These people need to go. No matter what new ideas or "fresh approaches" they want to try out next.

None of it matters.

Because nothing will improve until they are thrown out. They can try "Democracy in 31 New Flavors" or A New Approach to Governance.

It doesn't matter. THEY ARE THE PROBLEM. No solutions can come out of this group.

[sutz12]

3. You nailed it, cliss. nt

[hatrack]

4. He's looking forward to working with those who share his agenda

Otherwise, blahblahblahblahblah, blahblahblahblahblah, blahblahblahblahblah!!

What a farce.

[Contrary1]

6. Bush can shovel

all the bullshit that Rove deems necessary to turn the polls around...
but one needs only to look at that second picture to see the truth.

[Supersedeas]

7. UNCERTAIN that such moves reflect genuine opening but MSN takes bait

anyway....WOW!!! More speculation tilted in support of the Bush Regime, how consistent.