Bush No Longer A 'Stay The Course' Guy

CBS's Meyer Eyes The Latest, Greatest Presidential Doublespeak

(CBS)  This commentary was written by CBSNews.com's Dick Meyer.

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It's official: the Bush administration's "stay the course" was a figment of the American imagination. Never happened. Wasn't our position. Never said it. Wasn't me.

President Bush hinted that he was aware the country was hearing voices on the occasion of his Oct. 11 news conference.

"The characterization of, you know, 'It's 'stay the course' is about a quarter right," he said. " 'Stay the course' means keep doing what you're doing. My attitude is: Don't do what you're doing if it's not working — change. 'Stay the course' also means don't leave before the job is done."

Understand?

The official declaration that "stay the course" never happened came two weeks later. "Listen, we've never been 'stay the course,' George," the president told George Stephanopoulos of ABC News. "We have been — we will complete the mission, we will do our job and help achieve the goal, but we're constantly adjusting the tactics. Constantly."

"Listen, we've never been 'stay the course' ..."

The official Minister of Truth, Tony Snow, codified this latest bit of Bush doctrine the next day.

"So what you have is not 'stay the course,' but, in fact, a study in constant motion by the administration and by the Iraqi government, and, frankly, also by the enemy, because there are constant shifts, and you constantly have to adjust to what the other side is doing … That is not a 'stay the course' policy."

Got it? "Stay the course" = constant motion. Simple. It's as simple as knowing what the meaning of "is" is.

So, when President Bush said in most of his public appearances over the past year or so that America needed to "stay the course" in Iraq, he didn't mean that America needed to "stay the course" in Iraq. In no way was he supporting a "stay the course" policy.

So it must follow that when the president accused the Democrats of wanting to "cut and run" in Iraq, he was not accusing the Democrats of wanting to "cut and run" in Iraq. He must have meant something very different.

And I'm sure Minister Snow will tell us exactly what "cut and run" really means when the administration's next Language and Reality Edict is ready.

This stuff gives doublespeak a bad name.

For three years, President Bush has labeled any worry and criticism about the war in Iraq as cowardly, irresponsible "cut and run" thinking and declared his resolve to "stay the course." That political rhetoric was effective for a long time. But as the political campaign heated up this year, things changed.

The most effective and common type of Democratic advertising has shown bloody pictures, body counts and ominous music over sound bites of the president saying "stay the course" and the candidate saying, no, we need a new course, a new direction.

"Stay the course" became a negative that implied an ostrich-like imperviousness to reality. But the president and his marketing team didn't just dump the slogan; they denied the slogan ever existed.

Because not staying the course with "stay the course" would mean you're a cut-and-runner. Americans aren't cut-and-run guys. Cut-and-run guys aren't resolve guys and the president is a resolve guy.

The audaciousness of this is offensive. Actually, it's insulting.

"Listen, we've never been 'stay the course' ..."

Puh-lease.

It now appears that the electorate has been insulted enough to cut and run on the president.

It's not that we're cut-and-run guys, Mr. President. You just haven't been straight with us.

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Dick Meyer is the editorial director of CBSNews.com, based in Washington.

E-mail questions, comments, complaints, arguments and ideas to
Against the Grain. We will publish some of the interesting (and civil) ones, sometimes in edited form.

[EthanQ]

there can be no greater patriotic duty of every American to vote all Republicans out of office no matter now small the office. I am NOT a Democratic hack, but considering the abject lies, about Iraq, about Katrina, and now about the Democratic party demand that the American people hold this goon of a president accountable for his malfeasance.

Well, yeah. Remember "Bush Lied, Thousands Died"? Maybe it's a good policy to give a President the benefit of the doubt when the honeymoon is still happening and the lies are merely subtle misdirection [a.k.a Colin Powell speaking to the U.N.].

Maybe.

But the general trend of all that has happened is clear. George W. Bush and who knows how many people around him and behind him are using "terrorism" as an excuse to turn the United States into an authoritarian state, as your colleague Andrew Cohen has so doggedly documented.

As with 20th Century would be dictators, part of the mechanism for this is known as "the Big Lie".

Those who do not remember history are condemned to relive it.

[stevyz1]

"WE NEVER SAID STAY THE COURSE" JUST A ANOTHER LIE!! IS THERE STILL ANYONE FOOLISH ENOUGH TO BELIEVE ANY STATEMENT THIS ADMIN. SAYS??

[meboard]

That the adminisration believes we're stupid enough to buy this line of *** shows just how little they think of the citizenry. They've struck a new low at insulting us!

[tejasdemo]

Republicans are crooks and liars. I dont know how these guys sleep at night with all the destruction on so many levels they have caused. I really dont.

[oldanalyst]

As soon as "Stay the course" became "Stay and bleed" or "stay and die", the administration denied they were "Stay the Course". Or maybe they said they were "Stay the Course" but the meanings of Stay and Course were constantly changing. Maybe Bush should post weekly (daily?) the current meanings of each of his slogans.

And this is the President who wants us to trust him!

[observantx]

As with 20th Century would be dictators, part of the mechanism for this is known as "the Big Lie".

Those who do not remember history are condemned to relive it.

Zopa108:

Right on the money. Here%u2019s more from the tyrants playbook:

First, make the people afraid. (Even if you have to do something yourself to make them afraid)

Second, find a culprit for the reason they are afraid. (Blame poliltical opponents or those of another race, religion, country, etc.)

Third, make the people hate the culprit that has made them afraid. (Get your media to beat the drum for you)

Fourth, Tell the people you will save them from what has made them afraid (Again, get the media%u2019s help)

Fifth, Tell the people you need special authority to do whatever you need to protect them (Repeal rights, laws, checks to authority, secrecy, etc.)

Sixth, Repeat all the above as needed.

[richterrathe]

STAY THE MISTAKE!
Of course he is not going to say "Stay the course" any longer. He wants to start telling the truth so he'll be saying "Stay the mistake" from now on. Before you blow me off as an arrogant Democrat you should know I'm a long time Republican embarrassed by W. ("Worst?"). Here is one point to prove Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11 - all those hijackers could have learned to fly in Iraq. They were almost caught here and that risk would have been eliminated if they had learned to fly there. Granted they wouldn't have state-of-the-art simulators but they would have access to commercial aircraft and then could have used the same documentation that they had obtained to see how the planes differed. So why are we in Iraq? OIL! Don't say WMD as North Korea has them and W. isn't going there (no oil) and don't say demoncracy because there are many other countries as oppressive as Iraq. It won't be long before "I pledge allegience to the flag of the United Sates of Haliburton..."

[pjw4crcc]

Yes -- this 'reversal' is so Orwellian as to be stunning. Besides the usual cynical politics of the Bushites, it also reflects the fact that they accept absolutely no accountability for their actions. Bankrupt the country? Good for business. Invade a sovereign nation? You're safer now. Consort with felons? Never heard of the guy.
Makes ya' want to vomit...

[Syndicate]

Perhaps this war would have ended already if so many liberals weren't out to hang the president. If given the choice to hang Bush or save the country these people would hang Bush. It is obvious that a time table for the Iraq withdrawl is bad for our country. Why would anyone tell there enemy "were only going to fight until 5:00 PM july 7 ,2007 after that were outta here." yet these people have beat this horse to death. Iraq needed to dealt with. Was this the way to do it? Aparently not. But hey if I had perfect knowledge I'd play the market. overall Iraqs not that bad. The mission is progressing although not as fast as we would all like. Casulaties are light compared to vietnam, korea, and WWII. The Iraqis loose about 60 people a day to violance. Welll so do we. We loose about 60 americans everyday to violent crime but knowone cares. The news outlets want to report on the one soldier who died today and not the inocent guy who was gunned down near a school a couple blocks from me because he was mistaken for a gang banger. What a joke.

[clestes-2009]

Sigh... this is beyond ridiculous into the realm of twilight zone.

I guess they hoped we never listened to any former speeches by gw. You know, if I was a supporter of this guy, I would be insulted by this. He thinks all of America is stupid, everyone!

[clestes-2009]

cbscrash07 got a question for you. Why exactly did Iraq have to be dealt with? No WMD, no al-Quida. What reason did we have to invade?

[richterrathe]

Casualties are light? Ask someone who buried their son, daughter, spouse or friend as one of your "light" casualties. It's easy to be brave with other people's family members. And don't forget the injured. Modern medicine saves many lives although they are never to be lived to their fullest any longer. And it simply is an outrageous ploy to get involved in a quagmire and then say we can't leave now as it'll get worse. Again I'm a Republican but evidentally different from vocal others. I hold my party to higher standards and don't immediately dismiss arrogant/unethical/illegal (Delay, Nay, Cunningham, Rowland, and of course Bush and Cheney) behavior simply because they are Rupublicans.

[pendragon679]

George Orwell would be proud of our current administration and their (not "there" or "they're") constant manipulation of the truth. So would Josef Goebbels, who once stated that the first casualty of war is the truth. The Bushies have not only read the playbook, they've memorized it, and have been using it since 2001 to hornswoggle the American people into a state of fear. It appears, though, that fear is being replaced with anger and righteous indignation (deliberate understatement) at the direction these neo-con greedmongers have taken this once-great nation.

[pendragon679]

cbscrash07, if you're going to vomit up the pablum the radical right feeds you, the least you could do is learn to spell. There's a wonderful new invention out called a "dictionary;" maybe you should buy one. Then again, there are an awful lot of big words in a dictionary...

[pdun1]

Attn All Patriots!

9/11 Wasn an Inside Job!

Learn the Truth! WTC 7 came down and wasnt hit by a plane. Molten Metal found under ground zero proves demolitions were used, its a scientific fact!

WAKE UP AMERICA!

Do not be a blind nationalist! like CBSCrash 07

[nativewoman]

I understand Rumsfield says that Bush IS staying the course.

Goodness! Did Bush forget to check in with the real presidents to find out what he is supposed to be doing?

[chicatibu]

One often wonders about the mentality of the American public. CBS offers a free forum in order the public may have the opportunity to express their opinions. Reading some of the responses I%u2019m appalled at the lack of quality and sincerity in the postings. The hostility and misinformation doesn%u2019t influence or amuse anyone. These forums are intended to inform not chastise, belittle and humiliate public figures. As a Columnist I can assure those who take the time to create and post an article, your opinion will never be taken serious until your writing portrays sincerity.

[bluestardad]

If the president, his vice president or the neo-con spin misters had to serve in combat they would never have considered putting us in Iraq in the first place. If their children (sons and daughters) were registered for the draft, or serving in the military, they would not be so fast to send them to a mismanaged and bungled military enterprise under a bunch of military yes men. They dishonor America an those of us who have served, lost family and friends, and who%u2019s sons and daughters now serve. These People running this war I would not trust to make me coffee. Cut and Run is honorable compared to Send and Not Serve, Stay and be Stupid, Chide and be a Chicken Hawk, or Preach values and be a Pedophile. We American People are about to Suspend all these Criminals on November 8. This insanity is almost over. Soon we will start the road to recovery once we vote these criminals out of office. They will leave office the only question is how, by their own vehicle, or Tarred and Feathered and Riding a Rail!

[random_radar]

Got it? "Stay the course" = constant motion.

Got it--bob and weave, dancing around the issues, dodging questions, deflecting criticism, jumping to conclusions, the hand is quicker than the eye.

Yes, the administration is in constant motion.

You can't fool all the people all the time, but some people can fool themselves forever.

[ceekuei]

It appears that some Americans suffer from denial or willful ignorance insofar as the Bush administration is concerned. It is common knowledge that the invasion of Iraq was premeditated and was planned for the moment Bush became President. 9/11 offered a unique opportunity to "justify" the invasion and called it "war" over WMD. The American public was systematically sold on the invasion and many truly and patriotically volunteered to be in harm's way. Bush created this bloody mess and makes it sound as though he is doing America and the world a favor. He and the likes of many like him in the WH, particuarly Cheney, had the opportunity to serve the country when they were young but chose to dodge with the usual *** and bull story. These men found it unnecessary to serve their country but now find it their duty to send young men and women to die for their belief. If Bush and company are not held in contempt, there is something inherently very wrong with America. Bush and company are nothing more than cowards. They are stupid old men inventing wars for young men and women to die while they and their families live in comfort, security, and surrounded by their families. American should have nothing but disdain for man like Bush. The Enron men are given heavy jail time for fraud. What punishment would man like Bush deserved for the deaths of thousands?

[creeper00]

Why on earth does the latest piece of dissemblance by the president surprise anyone? "Iraq has WMD", "Mission accomplished", "Great job, Brownie"...we've been hearing lies for so long we ought to be inured to it by now.

Maybe it's the sheer blatancy of this one. The endless string of video clips of Bush, Cheney, Rumsfield, Snow, et al, exhorting us to "Stay the course" is undeniable. Yet there they are again, swearing it's never been about "stay the course."

What's sad is that nobody in the MSM has courage enough to stand up to the president and say "That's not true", as witness today's press conference. In refusing to set the record straight they become collaborators in the lie.

Thank you for speaking the truth here, Mr. Meyer.

Randi Gifford
Camanche, Iowa

[Syndicate]

I have a hard time taking anyones arguments seriously when they resort to name calling. For example if someone is arguing against Bush and they call him a Hitler I think to myself this guys an idiot Bush is no Hitler. Bush as bad as he may be has not killed six million people let alone jews( I wonder if I can say Jew). Nor has he permantley suspended the legislature. so the rest of the argument goes out the window. Because obviously they don't know what they are talking about from a historic point of veiw. So Mr. Meyer why should I take anything you say seriously when you call Mr. Snow The official Minister of Truth? Are so stupid as to not know the offical title? I would imagine not. So then why would you do this. Is it a subliminal message to other liberals? If so Why? Why would you preach to the choir? Would your time and efforts not be better spent trying to convince people who disagree with you? You should know that this langauge is a turn off. Then again perhaps the choir is where the money is at.

[stmirrin]

ufool2 seems aptly named after his spelling attempt at debacle. I might be wrong, but maybe he realised it was French in it's origin and decided to Americanise it for us. Congressman Ney will be proud of his efforts. I wonder if they serve freedom fries in the penitentiary.

[mh4cbs1]

*** Meyer who wrote this column must be a traitor.

Didn't you hear our Glorious Leaders?? They said "you are either with us or against us!! You "don't have the stomach for War" - in the words of our 5-deferment Vice President. How can they "Save Civilization" with all these terrorist sympathizers and traitors running around? How can the vanquish the "Evil Ones"?

No wonder Iraq isn't going so well, it's all these "Cut and Run", "Blame Game" people who have the audacity to hold their elected officials accountable. How seem to have a problem with being LIED into a needless, horrific WAR ON IRAQ.

Why aren't they scared anymore? Red Alert! Red Alert! Fight them over there so we don't have to fight them Here! Mushroom Clouds! Evil Ones are coming! They want to destroy civilization! Be Afraid! Bush will protect you! He is the "War President"

Hey! Come on America, Be Afraid! Ignore the Lies! Hey, you aren't afraid? you are learning the truth?... how come its not working anymore...

[mh4cbs1]

*** Meyer who wrote this column must be a traitor.

Didn't you hear our Glorious Leaders?? They said "you are either with us or against us!! You "don't have the stomach for War" - in the words of our 5-deferment Vice President. How can they "Save Civilization" with all these terrorist sympathizers and traitors running around? How can the vanquish the "Evil Ones"?

No wonder Iraq isn't going so well, it's all these "Cut and Run", "Blame Game" people who have the audacity to hold their elected officials accountable. How seem to have a problem with being LIED into a needless, horrific WAR ON IRAQ.

Why aren't they scared anymore? Red Alert! Red Alert! Fight them over there so we don't have to fight them Here! Mushroom Clouds! Evil Ones are coming! They want to destroy civilization! Be Afraid! Bush will protect you! He is the "War President"

Hey! Come on America, Be Afraid! Ignore the Lies! Hey, you aren't afraid? you are learning the truth?... how come its not working anymore...

[whight]

How right. Bush is so stupid that he lies when all he said before is in black and white. I have heard him say so many times 'Stay the course". Now we are to believe he didn't say that. How dumb can he be.

[alphaa10-2009]

Welcome to Newspeak--
The worrisome aspect of all this is dictatorship begins with petty deceit, proceeding directly to damning deceit and overt abuse of power. Bush made every link he could between Iraq and 911, and years later, abruptly protested he never specifically linked the two.

And now, according to Chairman Bush, "timetable" means anything this Red Queen of a politician says it means, neither more nor less. It can mean holding in place, it also can changing and THEN holding any course variation at any time.

Though Bush wasn't in the Navy, even he should be able to understand his concept of "stay the course" is wrong, not to mention flatly illogical. The outrage is Bush fully aware of his deceit, and still believes he is not widely seen as the consumate opportunist he always has been. The low cunning of this Prevaricator in Chief endangers the very democracy he claims to defend.

[bluestardad]

Be Ever Vigilant. Bush and Rove will do anything to stay in power up to an including flooding key districts with fake absentee ballots tampering with electronic voting machines, and bussing in voters who are not from the districts to vote, or even starting another war with and suspending civil liberties postponing the mid term vote. There is a great possibility for this administration to tamper with the electronic voting machines to the point that very subtle differences will take place in Key races just enough to tip the vote in their favor but not enough to cause a full scale American Revolution leaving some doubt, but just enough to throw key races in the Republican Favor. Watch out for this election coup.

Bush has been playing fast and loose with the truth since he has been in office. First it was WMD's, then it was setting up a democracy, then the war was going great, then it's not so good but we're staying the course, now he never said that...ad infinitum. No wonder he has that contemptuous smirk. He thinks we're all stupid!

[roger3815]

Jedi mind trick.

[cbsisajoke]

Doublespeak? You Libs have begged President Bush to "not be so narrow-minded" and to "explore all avenues." When he says "stay the course" he means we should stay focused on the goal. Are there mistakes that were made? We all know the answer is "yes." Should we cut-and-run....uhhh... I mean "re-deploy?" No.

Bush changes the tagline and you scream hypocrite. There are others on this website who claim the MSM doesn't challenge President Bush. How in the world can you write that, much less say that, with a straight face? You guys revel in having a "reporter" push back at Bush in a news conference, yet freak out when a candidate walks over to Hillary and "invades her space!"

You scream at Rush Limbaugh for commenting on Michael J. Fox's "commercial," yet you see nothing wrong with George Clooney making fun of Charlton Heston's alzheimers?

It really is amazing how irrelevant the MSM has become. Go ahead and report the slanted news.... I've already read the straight story hours, if not days ago.

[bluestardad]

Guys you can feel it in the air there is an awakening of the American Electorate and we are the sleeping giant our oppressors have feared all this time. We need to make sure that we take someone to the poles on Election Day. Americans will vote against this administration in so great of numbers that Carl Rove%u2019s election stealing programmers cannot up date the election theft code fast enough to stop the landslide victory.

[wskowalski]

amen and kudos to cbsisajoke. Ain't that the truth - although CBS is hardly the only example, as we all know.

What outstanding journalism this column represents, Mr. Meyer - you should be proud of your work and your insight, and no doubt CBS should double your salary for this fine example of excellent and truly relevant analysis. HA!!!!!

You pathetic liberal hypocites need to get over your unbelieveable, unending anger over 2000 - and for once in your lives look beyond your own narrow viewpoints and hatreds, to realize that there is really a force and group of people out there that want to destroy us....and that dealing with them is real, grownup work that takes real, grownup responsibility and attention. Which is why you and all like you are not now, and never will be again, fit to govern this nation. Chew on that.

WS Kowalski