Bush: "Nobody's Accused Me Of Being Shakespeare"

By: Mark Knoller
Topics: Field Notes

(CBS)

Mark Knoller is a White House Correspondent for CBS News.

The late night comedy shows ought to put President Bush on the payroll. He makes it too easy for them.

In Cleveland this afternoon, Mr. Bush was answering an audience question about government preparedness for such natural disasters as a pandemic flu. And he had a bit of trouble making his point – starting with his reference to two of his Cabinet officers.

"I asked Mike Leavitt, who's the head of D.D. – uh – H.H.S., said the President, referring to his Health and Human Services chief.

"And Chertoff – he's the homeland guy."

The homeland guy?

The audience snickered at Mr. Bush's shorthand – so he elaborated.

"Department of Homeland Security," he said – but the undercurrent of laughter continued.

Determined to show he knew Michael Chertoff's title, the President stated it.

"Secretary of Homeland Security!" Even Mr. Bush chuckled, blaming his casual approach to such things on his hometown.

"In Crawford, we kind of shortcut it," he said.

And then, as the polite laughter continued, he offered up the presidential quote of the day:

"Look – nobody's accused me of being Shakespeare, you know?"

We know.

As the laughter died out, he offered what amounts to his philosophy of communications.

"I just hope you can figure out what I'm saying."

Those of us in journalism often hope the same thing.

It should be pointed out, that the president's momentary loss of focus came during a town hall meeting in which he spoke extemporaneously – with microphone in hand - for 34 minutes and then took questions for another 46.

The headline from the appearance was his repeated appeal to Congress not to undercut U.S. operations in Iraq until hearing from the top American commander General David Petraeus in mid-September.

Not everybody agrees with the strategy – but all understand what Mr. Bush was saying.

Mark Knoller
Mark Knoller is a CBS News White House correspondent.
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by wockst July 12, 2007 3:36 PM EDT: Hello all and Mark. I think the president's trying to be distractive by not being serious so we all can take it easy for him and it's a shame for our time. I couldnt help but notice how successful the president is always be cruising in most of those press conferences. He countlessly states that the terrorists will follow us home if we leave Iraq, QUESTION; IS THAT A WISH OR A FACT? Also, ARE THE TERRORISTS SITTING AND WAITING FOR US TO LEAVE SO THEY CAN COME HERE OR THEY'RE DOING ALL OF THE ABOVE AS WE SPEAK. What happened in England did so before or after they left Iraq? If we know that terrorists can strike at anytime or anywhere, what dont we focus on preventing that instead of using Iraq as baite to scare off the uneducated citizens. Please, someone needs to it out loud for us. By the way, Y'all leave Katie alone, she's as good as any best anchor I know, dont listnen to them Katie, They are from the other channel.
Thomas; Reply to this comment


by naturaltwo July 11, 2007 10:45 AM EDT: The president is a murderer. Those of you who support him should be in Iraq putting your lives where your mouths are.

Oh, that is right, conservatism equals cowardice.; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey July 11, 2007 2:06 AM EDT: [Far more endearing than the whining of a pseudo-intellectual *cough*.]
[Posted by One_American at 06:30 PM : Jul 10, 2007]

it's good to see you accept the existence of your problem ... that's typically the first step to recovery ... what do you suppose comes after the whining phase?; Reply to this comment


by one_american July 10, 2007 9:30 PM EDT: "his 'folksy' persona isn't cute anymore ... it's not an endearing quality ... it's an 'indicator' ... simple words for simple minds."

Posted by bobnjersey at 05:59 PM : Jul 10, 2007

Far more endearing than the whining of a pseudo-intellectual *cough*.; Reply to this comment


by bobnjersey July 10, 2007 8:59 PM EDT: [And out of those 80 minutes you decide to pounce on 30 seconds-worth of it.]
[Posted by One_American at 05:40 PM : Jul 10, 2007]

30 seconds? out of 80 minutes there was likely 45 of him repeating the same worn out 'engineered phrases' you typically hear when you 'pull his string'.

his 'folksy' persona isn't cute anymore ... it's not an endearing quality ... it's an 'indicator' ... simple words for simple minds.; Reply to this comment


by one_american July 10, 2007 8:40 PM EDT: "It should be pointed out, that the president%u2019s momentary loss of focus came during a town hall meeting in which he spoke extemporaneously %u2013 with microphone in hand - for 34 minutes and then took questions for another 46."

Yah, no kidding.

And out of those 80 minutes you decide to pounce on 30 seconds-worth of it.

Trying to re-establish your repartee with the lunatic left, Mark?

Let's hope not.; Reply to this comment