Bush: Use Blogs to Spread the Good Word

According to Wizbang President Bush during an audience Q&A encouraged supporters of the war to use blogs and word of mouth to spread good news about Iraq...

"One of the things that we have to value is that that we do have a media, free media that's able to do what they want to do and I - you ask me to say something in front of all the camera here [laughter]. Help over there will ya? I just got to keep talking and word of mouth, there's blogs, there's internet, there's all kinds of ways to communicate which is literally changing the way people get their information and so if you're concerned I would suggest that you reach out to some of the groups that are supporting the troops, that got internet sites and just keep the word moving."

There's video footage here. Sounds like he might actually get it...or someone close to him sure does. Now, does the government work with bloggers to do the same? It's unclear.

 

Technorati Tags: bush, iraq, president+bush

Comments

[robromano]

White House staff has repeatedly had conference calls with groups of political bloggers, tossing around policy ideas and gauging popular reaction.

It's a positive thing, if you ask me, any time "regular" people are put more into the political equation. Too many special interests these days, so it's good to see the outspoken bloggers get recognized and consulted, even if its informal.

Some related links about some calls:
Captains Quarters

Beltway

Town Hall

[Sherrilynne Starkie]

Are you sure this is a good thing? :-)

[Will]

Too bad there's no good news to blog about in regards to the war in Iraq. Again, the president trying to propagate his agenda by tapping into the "what's hot right now" category.

You have to wonder why right-wing fundamentalists would want people to blog about their bullshit agenda. Blogging to me is about free-thinking, which is the polar opposite of what this administration stands for.

[Tina Lang-Stuart]

On government working with bloggers: somehow the notion of covert blogging comes to mind. But there is no such thing, right? Because blogging is all about transparency, honesty, authenticity. But then, does it make a difference if I am blogging for Bush 'cause I really dig his politics or if I am bloggign for Bush 'cause my local gov't representative reached out to me and told me I should be outspoken about my support for Bush and blog for/about him. Bottom line: I am still blogging for him.

[Jean]

What good news? Although I appreciate his encouragement of blogging, there just is no good news to spread.

Jean

[Sharon]

Hi Mr. Rubel,
I'm pretty new to the blogging scene so am getting a few tips from you. If you could check out my blog, I'd like to know if you think it makes an interesting read.
Sincerely, Sharon

[rick]

Steve,

When you have a minute could you please explain what 'it' is?

thanx

[Mike Driehorst]

President Bush is dead-on. Military bloggers (milbloggers) really provide insight -- often first-hand experience -- into the war on terrorism, what's going on in Iraq, and military things in general.
There's also a milblogger conference in April. Can't go, but it would be great to do so.
See http://www.milblogging.com/ for good reading.

Mike

[KDPaine]

Great, first we subvert the regular media in Iraq. Now they're trying to subvert the blogosphere. Shame on you Steve. The president is basically encouraging his audiences to lie for him. Isn't the blogosphere about transparency and truthiness?

[Mike Driehorst]

Well, maybe the gov't doesn't work with bloggers, but the military does. Hass MS&L has a contract. William Arkin in the Wash Post had a column about it in January. I had a couple posts about it. My latest is here (and references a post in January):
http://www.mikespoints.com/archives/001327.html

Mike

[Jon]

> Sounds like he might actually get it...or someone close to him sure does

Really, just because someone mentioned the word, THE WORD? I doubt it. I mean he mentioned WMD, but he didn't get it. He mentioned manned flight to Mars, but he didn't get it. He (and his people) mention lots of things, and he doesn't get it.

[Shimon Sandler]

I love it! Everytime I hear professional journalists talk about bloggers i get my thrills. I think it is safe to say that blogs have finally integrated with, and become part of mainstream media:-)

[Bushy]

I actually have 2 blogs.

http://bushyswhitehouse.blogspot.com

and tagworld.com/whitehouse

I'm hep to modern communication.

Bushy

[Mike Driehorst]

Funny how people can't stay off of politics. Stick to the topic. If you want to discuss politics, there are plenty of slanted blogs for that.
Mike

[Quickrob]

Wow, the anti-Bush messages here are pretty enlightening.

Most of the anti-Bush posters here have arrogantly assumed all pro-Bush bloggers are idiots and they have suggsted that to consider anything having to do with the Iraq war being "good" is a lie...

The posts were a little short on facts, but they were sure heavy on rhetoric and name-calling.

Very enlightening. Congrats on the close-mindedness, folks, and keep on alienating people with your arrogrance.

[Quickrob]

As for Mike Driehorst's comment, I agree and I would even suggest people ignore my post.

Such a discussion has its place, and a marketing blog is not that place.

[THEKIISFMCASTER]

Have you seen that video with Bush dancing on stage. I must say, that was one of the funniest things I have seen this year. The video is On Demand, Just Log ON!!! http://www.kiisfm.com/main.html