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For those of you who missed it, might I draw your attention to the recent interview by Carol Coleman on behalf of Ireland's RTE with Bush. This interview has caused quite the mini-controversy since it was conducted a few days ago.
The ten minute interview consists of Coleman posing some fairly important questions to the witless wonder, who produces standard answers out of a hat in the blink of an eye. Any question which Bush dislikes however, or a question which is an attempt to further clarify his position on a subject, is met with a confused mumbling of "Let me finish, let me finish." Indeed, this phrase becomes almost cliche by the end of the interview.
For media junkies, the entire interview is available in streaming format from: http://www.rte.ie/news/2004/0624/primetime/primetime56_1c.smil
For those who don't want to link direct, a full transcript can be found at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/06/20040625-2.html
When either watching or reading this interview also bear in mind that standard White House policy is to receive questions three days beforehand. This interview features a prepared Bush, who knows the nature of the questions to be directed at him.
Particular sections of note are:
BUSH And we are working on the road map with the Quartet, to advance the process down the road. Like Iraq, the Palestinian and the Israeli issue is going to require good security measures. And --
CC And a bit more even handedness from America?
BUSH --and we're working on security measures. And America -- I'm the first President to ever have called for a Palestinian state. That's, to me, sounds like a reasonable, balanced approach. But I will not allow terrorists to determine the fate -- as best I can, determine the fate of people who want to be free.
and:
CC But, Mr. President, the world is a more dangerous place today. I don't know whether you can see that or not.
BUSH Why do you say that?
CC There are terrorist bombings every single day. It's now a daily event. It wasn't like that two years ago.
BUSH What was it like September the 11th, 2001? It was a -- there was a relative calm, we --
CC But it's your response to Iraq that's considered --
BUSH Let me finish. Let me finish, please. Please. You ask the questions and I'll answer them, if you don't mind.
Finally, and with respect to the after effects, the following article - by Miriam Lloyd - appeared in the Irish Independant on the 26th June:
Angry White House pulls RTE interview
"Irish Independent" THE White House has lodged a complaint with the Irish Embassy in Washington over RTE journalist Carole Coleman's interview with US President George Bush.
And it is believed the President's staff have now withdrawn from an
exclusive interview which was to have been given to RTE this morning by First Lady Laura Bush.
It is understood that both RTE and the Department of Foreign Affairs were aware of the exclusive arrangement, scheduled for 11am today.
However, when RTE put Ms Coleman's name forward as interviewer, they were told Mrs Bush would no longer be available.
The Irish Independent learned last night that the White House told Ms Coleman that she interrupted the president unnecessarily and was disrespectful.
She also received a call from the White House in which she was admonished for her tone.
And it emerged last night that presidential staff suggested to Ms Coleman as she went into the interview that she ask him a question on the outfit that Taoiseach Bertie Ahern wore to the G8 summit. |
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