Perhaps Why These Press Conferences Are Rare

What's The Point?

Bush Gives A Rare Primetime Q&A Session


George W. Bush will certainly be seen in history's eyes as one of America's best-ever presidents, but it may never be clear why he subjects himself to a setting where he's not especially comfortable.

A full primetime press conference doesn't capture W at his best, as he's forced to answer the typically asinine questions, we've all come to expect.

These loaded queries are intended to get Bush to admit he's made some kind of mistake, or that he's contributed to a problem. Fair to ask occasionally, but when he's repeatedly pressed with these loaded questions, one wonders why he agrees to do them at all.

Funny how Americans are radically shifting how they get their news, but guess what? The correspondents in the room are overwhelmingly from the old, stale media, the one the public has largely abandoned.

GEORGE BRIDGES / KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS VIA SEATTLE TIMES

President Bush speaks during a news conference in the East Room of the White House today. "Social Security worked fine during the last century, but the math has changed," the president said.

This pack of increasingly angry and bitter ratings-challenged outcasts would love to have the opportunity to trip Bush up on nearly any issue to create a huge, embarrassing headline. That's more true than ever during primetime hours, it doesn't get better than 8pm, for making a splash.

Can we blame Bush for high petrol prices? Let's give it a whirl. Can we repeat untrue charges against Bolton for all to hear? Sure, we can do that.

If the point was to overcome Democrat naysayers on Social Security reform, then why not incorporate it into an address to the American people? Is it because the networks won't carry it?

Then look for a way around it. Ever hear of the blogosphere, Mr. President?

Update: Screaming Drudge headline says Bush was bumped anyway for the likes of Paris Hilton and Donald Trump.