Supporters Praise Bush's Swift Return to Washington

For days, President Bush kept his public distance from the Terri Schiavo case and let his spokesman deliver mild statements suggesting that the president did not want Ms. Schiavo, who has severe brain damage, to die. But on Saturday night, when Mr. Bush made the rare decision to interrupt his Texas vacation and rush back to Washington to be in place to sign a bill that could restore Ms. Schiavo's feeding tube, the White House said that the issue had become one of "defending life," and that time was of the essence.
...
"Look, this is a symbolic move, for sure," said Richard Cizik, the vice president for government affairs for the National Association of Evangelicals. "It's his willingness to interrupt his vacation to make a statement. And not just to make a statement, because we're not playing games here, but to make a difference, too."

Nonetheless, White House officials acknowledged that the final bill could have been flown to Mr. Bush in Texas, a round trip of six or seven hours that probably would have made no difference in whether Ms. Schiavo lives. Doctors say she can survive for up to two weeks without the liquid meals that have sustained her for 15 years.

"That would have been acceptable," said Mr. Cizik, referring to Mr. Bush signing the bill at his ranch. "But this president seizes opportunities when they come his way. That's what makes him a good politician."

Others said that Mr. Bush was eager to join with religious conservatives on an issue they could agree on, particularly since he has not promoted a constitutional amendment to outlaw abortion, as they would like.

http://nytimes.com/2005/03/21/politics/21bush.html

oy

there's really no other pressing issues he should return for I guess

The republican's response to this issue is simply mind-boggling.. there are so many inconsistencies and flat-out hypocrisy, I have a hard time figuring out a coherent argument against them.. sensory overload, as it were.

Why aren't they as concerned about our veterans and about our soldiers who are currently dying and being wounded in Iraq (not to mention the countless Iraqi citizens)?

the Chimp in the hours of 9/11? Why did he not rush back to Washington in the months before 9/11? Why doesn't Chimp rush back to demand money's for the tools our soldiers need to stay alive. OR BETTER YET why is he not rushing back to say he is pulling the troops out quickly!

He has had a few days to get well before this one, it's not a really urgent emergency! Wonder if he was well when he signed that bill as governor of TX, that allowed the hospital to pull the machines and tubes even against all family wishes!
An inspection of some of the congress and appointees may well be in order here. They have made a mockery of this person and family for political reasons so they deserve no less if even one of them ever allowed the plugs pulled on any of their family for any reason!

he'd better get the freak back to the chimphouse or they might lose out on a major pr deal.

As it is..I hope this backfires on their self-serving souls(scratch that..they have no soul).

Oh really, Mr. Cizik? As I recall, the Bible has some pretty harsh things to say about liars. Next time you're traipsing through the Scripture to find some passage to torture into a meaning the feeds your prejudices, you might re-visit those Ten Commandments you're so fond of, and re-read that one prohibiting lying.

Shameful.

"That's what makes him a good politician."

:puke:

To get their help with SS.

making Terri a political football. Today was Sunday, what better day to appeal to right-wing nuts than church day. Slime ball!

fucking day ..he hot trotted back to DC to sign that deplorable wedgie issue!

especially when your SS road show is polling like the SS Titanic.

Pharisees and hypocrits on parade.I don't like kicking this thread cause the headline is just.....:puke: :eyes: :crazy: Here we go with the "Praise *ush" for easter week.Loo loo. :wtf:

of the WH, the victims of abusive "caregivers" or random violence.

Too bad he never comes home for any of them.

Medical intervention when there is a chance for some kind of a life is one thing. Medical intervention when there is not chance for any kind of life is another.

If these people really believed in God the way they claim they do, they would recongnize that God (or nature) never intended for a body to go on in this condition. If they truly believed, they would allow nature to take its course and allow this poor woman's spirit to be released.

If our president wants to symbolically hop on a plane--as if he's Mighty Mouse coming to save Terri's day--then he'd better be prepared to back up his extraordinary actions.

I hope to God that Michael Shiavo keeps pressing * to come to the hospital. If * cares so much about this issue, then he will visit her in the hospital. He will see what condition she is in. He will want to speak to her husband and glean more information.

After all, he cut his vacation short. He abruptly boarded a plane, and said through Scott McClellan, "This is a life-and-death matter." He deemed this issue so grave and critical--that he plans to await this bill and sign it the very second it appears on his desk.

If this truly is a life-and-death, moment that is so near and dear to his religious convictions--then * should be catapulted to the front-and-center of this issue.

These politicians need to take responsibility for the circus they have created. They can't just spew soundbytes about "honoring life" and "doing God's will." If this issue means as much to Bush as he suggests--than he will do more than give it lip service.

I really hope that Michael Schiavo calls Bush on the carpet and extends that invitation to Terri's hospital room. If our lawmakers and our president are going to insert themselves into the lives of ordinary Americans and generate a near-crisis situation--with midnight Congressional sessions, emergency meetings and mad-dash plane trips back to Washington---then these guys better be willing to stand in that hospital room and face the very situation that they have catapulted into the public spotlight.

Not kidding - I saw it in a press report a short time ago. Your points are sound.

Force the issue.

:eyes:

But rushes to Washington over one family's private matter.

What's wrong with this picture.

he going so fast he had to wear a flight suit?

bush put to death in Texas, and reveal those who he put to death unjustly.

Homeboy couldn't wait for an excuse to give up his 60 city roadshow to flip the script on Social Security.

He was on vacation is TX? I thought he was trying to hype up - I mean- build his case for Social Security "reform"...

I guess it's a matter of motivation with him.