- The greatest immediate political effect of the tsunami has been the displacement of Iraq from the front pages and out of the leads, which as Dan Bartlett knows, is probably a plus for Mr. Bush right now.
If the Iraqi elections go poorly (violence or credibility problems, or a "disappointing" result), the tragedy in Asia will still likely overshadow events in Baghdad — providing more political cover than could have been imagined.
And if the elections go well, we are quite confident that the President's Men and Women will be able to elevate the story long enough to take credit where credit is due.
In fact, the greater long-range consequence of the events in Asia gives the Leader of the Free World and the Commander in Chief another extended opportunity to sit astride the world look tough and compassionate at the same time.
(Which doesn't mean that one has to TRY in order to get political benefit even in — especially in — a moment of human tragedy. But the presidency is a political office — something we learned a while ago.)
And, as best we can tell, the Democratic Party (such as it is) will simply nitpick and criticize on an ad hoc basis, bringing the same carping, themeless-pudding approach to disaster relief that it brought to most everything in 2004.
(Bartlett — and his boss — LOATHE that sort of Democratic response, although they are never quite sure whether they should be angered by it, pity it, or revel in the weakness of the opposition.)
And/but another thing Dan Bartlett knows is that all the good deeds, time, and money that are now being generated by the USG won't in the short-term erase the media's obsession with the 72-hours-of-slow-off-the-mark performance just over a week ago.
Even yesterday's naming of the 41/42 to head the relief effort (and the deploying of the Florida governor) haven't changed the media mindset. But it is headed in that direction.
1) The Tsunami has displaced Iraq from the headlines. T or F?
-False. We refer you to today's NY Times where this front page article talks about the disappointment that is the Iraqi Army and Pentagon plans to bolster it with "military advisers." Or you can look online to the current edition of the Times online and see a headline right at the top concerning today's assassination of Baghdad's mayor, the killing of five U.S. troops and the deaths of 8 Iraqi commandos. The thing is, while The Note may have a point here, they've made this point so many times before that it has started to sound like they've confused one of their favorite maxims: There is a difference between what is and what ought to be.
2)If the elections in Iraq go badly, the Tsunami will overshadow it. If they go well, Bush's capable political team will attempt to score (badly needed?) points.
T or F?
-False. With the Sunni's threatening to boycott the election and one Sunni party already having pulled out, it is likely that the Iraqi elections, at best, will be a mixed bag. The people who are most responsible for the violence will not vote and in fact are being urged not to vote in yet another audiotape by Mr. Wanted: Dead or Alive (aka OBL). The media should have learned by now (perhaps some have but clearly not The Note) that violence in Iraq does not stop for Paul Bremer's departure, the formation of a new Iraqi army, or the prospect of a democratically elected government. So political points, if scored at all in the event of a successful election, will be fleeting.
3) Because of the Tsunami, Bush looks "tough and compassionate." T or F?
-False. How about a day late and a penny short?
4) The media won't forget the "72-hours-of-slow-off-the-mark performance" anytime soon. T or F?
-Who knows and who cares unless you're a Bush supporter...hmmm?
5) Democrats can only "simply nitpick and criticize on an ad hoc basis, bringing the same carping, themeless-pudding approach to disaster relief that it brought to most everything in 2004." T or F?
-False. Perhaps calling Democrats names makes some feel better. But to dismiss all the serious criticism of Bush's Social Security plans (and the rather strong Democratic line being drawn to stop it, lead by none other than the Democrat's new Minority Leader) or his "more tax-cuts" economic plan or his outrageous initial $15 million aid pledge means you might as well dismiss pretty much anyone that says anything in opposition to Bush regardless of whether he/she/it appears in front of a blue background with mis-spelled slogans emblazened on it.
If you have the heart to continue reading The Note today, you can see them make fun of John Kerry (again) and sit back and imagine Karl Rove reading his printed, hand-delivered copy and laughing all the way to the 11am staff meeting.
No comments:
Post a Comment