President’s Gamble

More on President Bush’s comment “those weapons of mass destruction have got to be somewhere”.

HERE IS THE TRANSCRIPT of Bush’s remarks made at the Radio and Television Correspondents Association dinner in Washington on March 24, 2004, (provided by the White House Press Office.) The fallout from Kerry et al can be felt here.

WAS THIS A STUPID stunt from an even dumber president? Hard to say. Having been in politics myself I know that self-deprecating humour is a gamble at any time - let alone over a controversial topic.

ON THE POSITIVE SIDE it shows the President as being human and unpretentious. Did it work? Only time will tell. On the other hand it opened up a can of worms and perhaps allowed the Democrats to set the election agenda.

BUT WILL IT REALLY? Bush may have gambled that it was best to clear the air now. Why wait until the last moment when it’s fresh news? After all, the voter has a short memory and maybe - just maybe we’ll be fed up with it all come election time and deflate the Democrats’ thunder.

IS IT A POLITICAL FOOTBALL for the Democrats? Of course it is - at least for now. They will be looking for anything and everything to take Bush down. Whatever your view you can be sure this was a calculated risk and we shall see if the gamble pays off.

AS THE ELECTION DRAWS NIGH we should become calloused to the rhetoric that will grow even louder from the hopefuls and wannabes that covet power. Politics is a dirty business played by dirtier people. Remember, it’s not about right or wrong. It’s about winner takes all. Just ask what’s his name - oh yeah… they call me Al.