The Political Chase

Bush throws the sink at Congress

George Bush held a press conference this morning that was staged as focusing on the economy, but it was a lame ploy to pound Democrats during the election season. The most unpopular president in history fired off criticism after criticism at Congress (viz. Democrats), and displayed anger several times.

When asked about how successful the war in Afghanistan was, Bush pounded the podium and vehemently declared, “We’re making progress.” No one asked the scornful president to define “progress.”

Without exception, according to Bush, all problems the country faces are directly attributable to Democrats Congress. And of course, everything Bush has demanded is and has always been perfect in every way, as evidenced by his 28 percent approval rating.

The presser was a veiled attempt at election season politics (viz. campaigning) but mitigating the risks of Bush associating himself with a specific GOP incumbent or candidate, although he hesitantly put a plug in for John McSame.

Bush accused Congress of blocking his proposals to deal with everything from high gas prices to tuition bills.

“It’s a tough time for our economy,” Bush said at a Rose Garden news conference. “Across our country, many Americans are understandably anxious about issues affecting their pocketbook, from gas and food prices to mortgage and tuition bills. They’re looking to their elected leaders in Congress for action.”

“Unfortunately, on many of these issues, all they’re getting is delay,” he said.

He repeatedly called for drilling in ANWR (Arctic national wildlife refuge), and to begin construction of oil refineries to help meet the global demand for oil, which would, according to Bush, reduce the overall price of oil and other energy related costs.

Bush also called on Congress to drop emission restrictions on coal plants, which at its current level, is, I believe, the single greatest source of carbon emissions in the country. If I recall correctly, emissions from coal plants are responsible for approximately 50 percent of our carbon-based pollution.

Bush slammed Congress so hard, the less informed viewer would have easily believed the only thing Democrats did was develop ways to purposefully ruin the economy, ran the major oil companies, force homes into foreclosure, thwart higher education pursuits, and logarithmically raise food prices.

President Bush then pinned the problem of rising food prices largely on Congress, saying it was considering a “massive, bloated” farm bill that would fail to eliminate subsidy payments to “multimillionaire” farmers. With the nation’s farm economy thriving, the president argued, it is time for Congress to reduce lavish farm subsidies that translate to higher taxes for average Americans.

Mr. Bush said he had also urged Congress to pass legislation that would help address problems in the housing market by modernizing the Federal Housing Administration, reforming the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loan agencies, and allowing state housing agencies to issue tax free bonds to refinance subprime loans.

“Yet they failed to send a single one of these proposals to my desk,” he said. “Americans should not have to wait any longer for their elected officials to help more families stay in their homes.”

Read the transcript.