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Bush Avoids the Spotlight on Vacation, Despite International Conflict

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December 28, 2008 7:03 PM

ABC News' Kirit Radia reports from Crawford, Texas:

Even an emerging crisis in the Middle East, one he pledged to resolve just 13 months ago, has not drawn President George W. Bush from his final vacation before leaving office. Despite his personal pledge at Annapolis last year to broker a deal between Israel and the Palestinians before 2009, this weekend Bush sent his spokesmen to comment in his stead.

The spokesman's statement, while blaming Hamas for the outbreak of violence, did not signal that the United States is prepared to step in to resolve the conflict, suggesting that this president is content to leave the matter for his successor.

Since departing Washington for Crawford on Friday, President Bush has made no attempt to be seen in public. In fact, he has yet to leave his ranch.

His spokesmen said that the president has stayed in the loop, receiving his usual briefings and consulting with his top advisors. He had at least one talk with a foreign leader, a conversation with Saudi King Abdullah, yesterday.

Not atypically, we have yet to learn anything more about what is keeping the commander in chief busy, though one can assume there is brush to be cleared, trails to be biked, and perhaps even fish to be caught.

The Western White House expects to begin briefing reporters starting tomorrow, which will hopefully shed some light on the U.S. response to the Israel-Gaza situation… and on the president's schedule.

December 28, 2008 | Permalink | User Comments (177)

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Bush is an international conflict.

Posted by: Omentum | Dec 29, 2008 9:59:38 AM

There should be an "uprising" of the American people to withhold his pension, as he did and is abandoning his job as President of the U.S.

Why should I pay for a family for the rest of their lives to live comfortable while I have been reduced to an $8.00 an hour job from a 19.00 an hour job before he took office. SAME ON YOU BUSH. YOU ARE A COWARD AND LIAR.

Posted by: sara wilson | Dec 29, 2008 10:15:30 AM

Bush is a joke. I sure hope the new people in office decide to take a look at him and his administration and finally put him and other people in jail. I am sick of GW being able to just fade off into the wind with not so much as a slap on the wrist for all the horrendous things he and his cronies have done to our U.S. He is a disgrace to our country and I want that stupid, dumb look (like he has not done nothing and don't know why people do not like him) wiped off his face and make him realize he has done nothing but hurt this country. I want him to feel the pain he has caused. And it is time for our Congress to do something about it now and quit putting on a 2 min show in front of the cameras like they are realling doing something and give some decisions as far as putting Bush and his dummies in jail. GW and all the people under him are just laughing all the way to the bank because they feel none of them can be touched legally and sent to jail. I want to see some justice

Posted by: cdd | Dec 29, 2008 10:42:09 AM

Bush never had the natural intellectual curiosity unless he gained immediate gratification in way of public attention. Hence, who gives a rats ass what Bush thinks as a private citizen let alone commander-in-chief.

Posted by: Tomcat27834 | Dec 29, 2008 4:02:55 PM

Yes, there is brush to be cut, trails to be biked and fish to be caught, but more probably there is whisky to be drunk and cocaine to be snorted. "Cutting Brush" has always been a bush euphanism for getting high and going on a bender. Duh, people!

Posted by: Bob | Dec 29, 2008 4:28:36 PM

"Since departing Washington for Crawford on Friday, President Bush has made no attempt to be seen in public. In fact, he has yet to leave his ranch. . . ."

"Not atypically, we have yet to learn anything more about what is keeping the commander in chief busy . . ."

He's drunk, of course.

That's why he goes to the ranch so often. Why would any intelligent person believe he ever stopped drinking?

It will all come out in those tell-all memoirs by his cabinet and staff a few years from now.

Posted by: nemo | Dec 29, 2008 4:53:09 PM

Our beloved President W could have been spared all this pesky
irreconcilable conflict if, instead of stealing and gifting the biblical lands of Palestine to the Jews to have, occupy, and dominate, the imperial Brits had cleaverly palmed Northern Ireland off on the Jews to deal with. Voila, two thorny problems solved with one ingenius stroke.. and history could then surely record that W twas the greatest Amurkan president of the twenty-first century.
sob

Posted by: Avocadoe | Dec 29, 2008 7:07:53 PM

And 25% of America thinks this guy is doing a good job... amazing.

Who are those people???

Posted by: David | Dec 29, 2008 8:24:17 PM

WH can do no right according to the Demos who caused the Housing crisis by intimidating banks and mortgage companoes to give loans to people who did not meet regular loan standards. They also erred in 750billion wih no accountability in the "Fanancial Bailout" that has now 350 billion that only GOD knows where it went. Good Congressional 11% rating !!!! Go Demos!

Posted by: dolph | Dec 30, 2008 12:35:24 AM

Cuss him all you want, but I think he would be a great adviser to us all. What ever he tells you to do , just do the opposite, because it is either a stupid idea, straight out lie, or a suggestion that will only benefit the upper class.

Posted by: bob | Dec 30, 2008 12:59:55 AM

What few Americans seem to realize is that the Democratic and Republican parties are not part of the government? These are private organizations. They are not under the Constitution, so they can do pretty much whatever they please.

If the Democratic Party chooses to run Daffy Duck, and the Republican Party Goofy, they are fully entitled to do so. Indeed, many would argue they already have, many times.

Again, the parties are not art of the government, they are private organizations and they own the government. Washington isn’t ours, it’s theirs.

One of the few things you can be sure about is party honchos will do whatever they think is best for this private organization, regardless of how much damage they do to America.

As long as voters insist on seeing politics in terms of democratic vs. republican, or left vs. right, liberals vs. conservatives, there is little hope for this country.

When we switch back to seeing politics in terms of liberty vs. power as the early Americans did, then we will have regained the road to peace, freedom and abundance.

Every mainstream candidate is always on the side of power and will do whatever it takes to get it and keep it. They will not give up their government, their power and their riches that they took from you, the taxpayers.

Posted by: Tyler | Dec 30, 2008 11:21:57 AM

I am so thankful for all the President has done to help prevent another Pearl Harbor on the U.S. mainland. His efforts to bring peace to Israel are as sincere as those attempted by Presidents Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Clinton. An extraordinary challenge, to say the least.

Posted by: Scott | Dec 30, 2008 11:22:51 AM

Israel didnt start this situation , if Canada started shooting rockets into NY would America stand by and watch

Posted by: sam | Dec 30, 2008 11:29:44 AM

Hmmm, I thought you libs kept telling us that we have no business getting involved in the affairs of other countries. Now you're upset because the U.S. isn't stepping in here? Wish y'all would make up your so-called "minds".

Posted by: BD | Dec 30, 2008 11:31:42 AM

"The redeemer with his everlasting knowledge and power of persuasion shall be the "one" to save the world". Just a few more days for salvation!!!
Let Obama tell us what to do, he'll know the way to peace.

Posted by: Gary | Dec 30, 2008 11:32:19 AM

I love this "reporting" If Bush did comment you would jump on him and say it is up to Obama to speak on, if he says nothing you mock his vacation. What about the President elect not saying anything, while he enjoys golf and beaches in Hawaii. Sure Bush has made some mistakes, but your disdain and disrespect is shameful.

Posted by: Jeff | Dec 30, 2008 11:37:31 AM

I just can't believe what I am reading from all of you. Did you forget 9/11? Did you forget who has run the congress for the last two years, Polosi and Reid! The most liberal of socialists in the congress. Not much Bush can do! He is trying to please the public, after all they elected these clowns. Maybe it is the (R) after his name that you just don't like. Approval of congress lowest ever! Great job Dems, and now we have a youngster at the helm who voted present in the congress in Illinois, and won the senate seat to simply begin campaigning for the presidency. Oh yes indeed, I am so comfortable with this new administration. We had better take Biden's advise and take cover. God help us all. This was a great nation and free nation, not with the DEMS at the helm, hello SOCIALISM!

Posted by: FRANCES | Dec 30, 2008 11:39:30 AM

How would you all respond if a terrorist organization was launching rockets into the USA from Canada or Mexico? Would we say that's ok, or would we respond with maximum force to put an end to the bombing?

Hamas representing the Palestinian people is like Tim McVeigh representing the American people.

Posted by: Dave | Dec 30, 2008 11:41:35 AM

If Bush does speak, the next thing we will hear from the crazy libs and Obama loving media is that Bush caused this war so he could stay in power longer somehow and "steal" another election from the Dems. ROFL

Posted by: Jeff | Dec 30, 2008 11:47:11 AM

My comments above should have been addressed to Sara Wilson and not Omentum, my apologies.

Posted by: Matt | Dec 30, 2008 11:51:09 AM

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