WP, Kurtz: Media fell for Bush's troop reduction spin -- but he admits to Couric he's "speculating"

WP: Falling for the Spin
By Howard Kurtz
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 5, 2007

President Bush got the headlines he wanted with his Labor Day drop-by in Iraq.

New York Times: "Bush, In Iraq, Says Troop Reduction is Possible."

Los Angeles Times: "Bush Hints at Troop Reduction."

Washington Times: "In Anbar, Bush Optimistic for Pullout."

But when you stick a fork into what he actually said, the souffle collapses. A troop reduction is no more likely today than it was yesterday. The president himself gave away the game in his interview with Katie.

COURIC: But just hearing those two words, "troop reduction" -- Do you think it will win some people over who are uncomfortable with this war?

BUSH: That was just speculating. It's not going to win anybody over until it becomes a reality.

Just speculating--and yet that became the media's lead....

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/04/11/LI2005041100587.html?hpid=news-col-blog