WSJ: Bush to Start Third Iraq War Propaganda Tour

[BurtWorm]

I love the subtitle (What gains on the ground!?).


http://online.wsj.com/public/article/SB115685138066948276-fBBgc7yb0mV4K1updIj_9h6Ui3c_20070830.html?mod=blogs

THE FIGHT FOR IRAQ


Bush Speeches to Stress Stakes in Iraq

Bid to Boost War Support Will Emphasize Adapting to Conflict, Not Gains on Ground

By JOHN D. MCKINNON
August 30, 2006; Page A4

President Bush will launch another major public-relations offensive to strengthen support for the Iraq war -- this time likely emphasizing the high stakes and changing nature of the battle more than the progress being made. The series of speeches begins tomorrow at the annual American Legion convention in Utah and will continue through the anniversary of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and on into the middle of next month.

The new campaign is aimed at framing the Iraq debate over what the White House considers the vital stakes involved in the war and reinforcing public sentiment that favors sticking it out. The speeches will be aimed at rebutting mounting public calls -- from Democrats and even a few Republicans -- for setting some kind of timetable for at least a limited troop withdrawal.


Still, the new series of speeches -- the president's third major round of Iraq addresses in less than a year -- might in some ways sound less upbeat than prior rhetorical campaigns on the issue. While past addresses often stressed improvements on the ground, that theme is likely to be less prominent in coming weeks. Instead, Mr. Bush is likely to talk more about the importance of winning and how the U.S. is adapting to the changing nature of the struggle against terrorism in Iraq and beyond, stressing the continuing violence in Baghdad and the recent Israel-Hezbollah conflict.

The speeches also could help Republican candidates in the fall congressional campaign, despite the flagging popularity of both Mr. Bush and the war. Advisers to the president believe -- and polls reflect -- that while most people say they are unhappy about the way the war is going, they still oppose the immediate withdrawal that high-profile Democrats increasingly favor.

[ixion]

1. uh, I don't know about everyone else, but I'm really sick of WH PR tours

it's pretty much all these thugs do. :grr:

[acmavm]

2. Yeah, and I'm really damn sick of paying for this bastard to

go running around on AF1 all the time.

That is costing the American people, and not the wealthy American people mind you, a boatload of bucks every time they fire up the engines.

[ixion]

4. exactly.

you and me and the rest of those who work for a living are footing the bill for a spoiled-rotten-idiot-frat-boy to tour the country and gig with his buddies. :grr:

[rodeodance]

3. yeah, maybe he could enlist the real Circus World and put some fun

into the show!

[Supersedeas]

5. The Americans really do love war - Corp News Ampliphied PR tour

[jaysunb]

6. Political stunts & PR are all they have

:evilfrown:

[Jacobin]

7. Bid to Boost War Support Will Emphasize Adapting to Conflict, Not Gains on

heh heh.

Don't look at what we are doing, look at what we are thinking about doing and you can trust us on that.