For the better part of his presidency, George W. Bush remained insulated from the real world. His able handlers Karl Rove et al, have effectively shielded him from adverse public opinion and criticism. Up until the 2004 election, the president addressed only carefully selected partisan audiences and held very few press conferences. Bush, we learnt does not read the papers (or blogs), goes to sleep by nine every evening and spends his waking hours exercising, reading the Bible and meeting with his trusted advisors (yes men). For more than four years, he indeed has lived in a bubble and listened to an echo chamber.
In the recent months when the truth about the Iraq war at last started penetrating the consciousness of the majority of Americans and the presidential polls started sinking like a lead balloon, the White House scrambled to push George Bush before "real" people as opposed to the usual cheerleading GOP squad in order to burnish his tarnished image. There have also been more presidential press conferences where Bush has even called on Helen Thomas. But of course, all this show of openness means nothing because this administration has perfected the art of saying nothing. But real world is unpredictable and the more Bush goes out into it, the more likely it is that he will have to face the harsh reality. Last month in Cleveland, Ohio where Bush had gone to shore up the sagging support for the Iraq war, he was asked (politely) by a member of the audience about the falsehoods that led to the Iraqi invasion.
Yesterday before a supposedly friendly audience in Charlotte, N.Carolina, Bush got a bitter taste of what many Americans are thinking and saying about his failed presidency. For the first time, someone publicly took him to task for his misdeeds without mincing words. Harry Taylor, (now known as "Give ’em hell Harry"), a 61 year old real estate broker had this to say to George Bush.
"While I listen to you talk about freedom, I see you assert your right to tap my telephone, to arrest me and hold me without charges, to try to preclude me from breathing clean air and drinking clean water and eating safe food. If I were a woman, you’d like to restrict my opportunity to make a choice… about whether I can abort a pregnancy… What I wanted to say to you is that–in my lifetime, I have never felt more ashamed of, nor more frightened, by my leadership in Washington, including the presidency. And I would hope from time to time that you have the humility and the grace to be ashamed of youself… I also want to say I really appreciate the courtesy of allowing me to speak… That is part of what this country is about."
Standing on a stage in his shirtsleeves holding a microphone, Bush drew applause and laughter by chiming in, ”I’m not your favorite guy.”
Taylor had no questions for George Bush.
Accidental Blogger 
3 responses to “Reality Check – Outside the Bubble”
At first I had to wonder why Bush’s handlers would do such a thing, that is, send him out to a town hall thing with an unscreened audience and allow him to give unscripted answers. It seems almost like political suicide for the administration! Then as I thought about it, it seemed logical that they would do this… but only in an area that is heavily Republican. A lot of the audience was booing when Mr. Taylor was delivering his criticism of the POTUS. The media will pick up on the fact that someone actually spoke critically about Bush to his face, publicly… but the sound of the audience booing may be what people remember. If the administration keeps this up, they will be saying they now allow Bush to speak before unscreened audiences, and that most of the people in the crowds don’t like to hear Bush being criticized.
Just the same, I loved reading Taylor’s remarks, and I believe he was speaking for millions of Americans.
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Yes i agree with you on how he is isolated very much but wern’t all presidents isolated for saftey? after all, there have been great presidents and there were in the same situation. Since there were asasinations, security tightend up so it isnt technicly the presidnent’s fault himself, is it not? post me a comment about this argument in my “immigration” blong. thanks.
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Snave:
With a few exceptions, Bush still speaks mostly before selected audiences, including families of armed forces. The meeting in Charlotte was supposed to be just such a friendly one. But Harry Taylor surprised everyone by turning up and speaking out. In fact, it was funny that Bush asked the audience to stop booing and letting Taylor speak.
Researcher:
All presidents are insulated “physically” for their safety. We all understand that. But Bush has been “protected” from public opinion. That is the difference.
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