October 12, 2005

Body language
The president is really a cranky, snivelling two-year old, who, in trouble, badly needs to go potty.

But this much could be seen watching the tape of NBC's broadcast during Bush's 14-minute interview, in which he stood unprotected by the usual lectern. The president was a blur of blinks, taps, jiggles, pivots and shifts. Bush has always been an active man, but standing with Lauer and the serene, steady first lady, he had the body language of a man wishing urgently to be elsewhere.

The fidgeting clearly corresponded to the questioning. When Lauer asked if Bush, after a slow response to Katrina, was "trying to get a second chance to make a good first impression," Bush blinked 24 times in his answer. When asked why Gulf Coast residents would have to pay back funds but Iraqis would not, Bush blinked 23 times and hitched his trousers up by the belt.

When the questioning turned to Miers, Bush blinked 37 times in a single answer -- along with a lick of the lips, three weight shifts and some serious foot jiggling. The presidential fidgeting spiked when Lauer mentioned the Democratic accusation that Bush was performing a "photo op."


"Poopie-heads!"
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