Geezers laugh at Bush

[Grimmlok]

SALON.com

When George H.W. Bush expressed minor amazement at some bit of grocery store technology back in 1988, it was widely viewed as proof that the president was out of touch with the concerns of average Americans. In what may be a sign of how far the son has fallen, George W. Bush had a more embarrassing encounter with reality this week, but not many people seemed to pay it much notice.

The president was pitching the Medicare prescription drug plan at an event in Maryland Wednesday when someone in the audience asked him a question about the different rates hospitals charge for patients with or without insurance.

Bush started strong. "This guy has got a great question," he said, "because, really, what he's talking about is transparency in pricing." But then the president tried to move into the world of metaphor, and the wheels started coming off pretty quickly. "When you go buy a car, you know exactly what they're going to charge you," Bush said. The comment drew laughs from seniors in the audience who've apparently spent more time at car dealerships than their commander-in-chief. "Well, sometimes you don't know," Bush said. The seniors laughed some more. "Well, you negotiate with them," Bush said. More laughs. "Well, " Bush said, "they put something on the window that says price."

"His point is, is that the more you know about price, the better you can make better decisions, and I appreciate that," Bush said. "Listen, you're paying me a lot of money to work, and so I think I'm going to have to head back home. But I'm honored. Got any more questions, I'll be glad to answer them."

[pacific breeze]

Fucking moron.

[Lobelia]

This fool was definitely a Child Left Behind.

[MrsMarsters]

This fool was definitely a Child Left Behind.

[ourmaninBusan]

^^ Unfortunately,

that down-home idiocy is probably what appeals to them. If he were
too slick with a prepackaged answer they'd dismiss him as a limousine
liberal.

What's worse is that it's actually his most calculated act as President --
it's the key to his façade, and it's served him well his entire political career.
Acting like a stumblefuck wins elections.

George W. Bush is fully aware of how his enemies perceive him, and this is precisely how he wants them to react. His personality and mannerisms are actually the result of deliberate effort. This is not to say that it's all an act, but he does emphasize these elements of his personality for the benefit of the press and general public. And yet these affectations continue to be astonishingly effective; his act still manages to fool even his political opponents, who really ought to know better.

[Lobelia]

^^^Sounds suspiciously like statements from Jessica Simpson & Mariah.... hmm. Maybe they have the same PR people.