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October 23, 2005
My job is to ask questions and not spend money.
Can't believe I missed this when it first came out. Timothy Noah at Slate highlighted a "press pool" at a ribs restaurant with the President in the lead-up to the election. It's unbelievably hilarious.
Remarks by the President to the Press Pool Nothin' Fancy Cafe Roswell, New Mexico11:25 A.M. MST
THE PRESIDENT: I need some ribs.
Q Mr. President, how are you?
THE PRESIDENT: I'm hungry and I'm going to order some ribs.
Q What would you like?
THE PRESIDENT: Whatever you think I'd like.
Q Sir, on homeland security, critics would say you simply haven't spent enough to keep the country secure.
THE PRESIDENT: My job is to secure the homeland and that's exactly what we're going to do. But I'm here to take somebody's order. That would be you, Stretch -- what would you like? Put some of your high-priced money right here to try to help the local economy. You get paid a lot of money, you ought to be buying some food here. It's part of how the economy grows. You've got plenty of money in your pocket, and when you spend it, it drives the economy forward. So what would you like to eat?
Q Right behind you, whatever you order.
THE PRESIDENT: I'm ordering ribs. David, do you need a rib?
Q But Mr. President --
THE PRESIDENT: Stretch, thank you, this is not a press conference. This is my chance to help this lady put some money in her pocket. Let me explain how the economy works. When you spend money to buy food it helps this lady's business. It makes it more likely somebody is going to find work. So instead of asking questions, answer mine: are you going to buy some food?
Q Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good. What would you like?
Q Ribs.
THE PRESIDENT: Ribs? Good. Let's order up some ribs.
Q What do you think of the democratic field, sir?
THE PRESIDENT: See, his job is to ask questions, he thinks my job is to answer every question he asks. I'm here to help this restaurant by buying some food. Terry, would you like something?
Q An answer.
Q Can we buy some questions?
THE PRESIDENT: Obviously these people -- they make a lot of money and they're not going to spend much. I'm not saying they're overpaid, they're just not spending any money.
Q Do you think it's all going to come down to national security, sir, this election?
THE PRESIDENT: One of the things David does, he asks a lot of questions, and they're good, generally.
END 11:29 A.M. MST
Posted by b-applegate at October 23, 2005 3:26 AM
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Comments
Is that for real? I had assumed it was an amusing farce, but that link...whitehouse.gov!?
Posted by: Scott at October 23, 2005 5:40 AM
This is hilarious, but I have to say, I'm on Bush's side on this one. The press usually reacts quite angrily to losing control of the news. If the President isn't reacting/responding to reporters, he isn't doing them any good. I wonder if anyone reported on the owners of the restaurant, and the reaction to Bush being there? Probably not: too real.
Posted by: Fred at October 24, 2005 7:25 PM
But Dad, have you watched the footage of interviews with Bush's hosts on the campaign trail? They're all vetted and briefed on talking points beforehand. So both sides share some responsibility for making the campaign trail so boring.
Posted by: Ben Applegate at October 25, 2005 9:05 AM