Bush's 'candor' was scripted response to planted question

By Amanda Moran
Capitol Hill Blue Staff Writer
May 28, 2006, 07:34

President George W. Bush's highly-publicized admission of "regrets" and "moment of candor" during a joint press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair this past week was actually a scripted response to a planted question with a British journalist.

Capitol Hill Blue has learned that the question was among a list of "proposed questions" given to British reporters by Blair and that both the British Prime Minister and President Bush knew the question was coming and had prepared responses.

Newsweek correspondent Richard Wolffe says it was obvious to the press corps assembled for the press conference that Bush knew the question was coming and had a response ready.

"Of course, it was very rehearsed, everything from the mannerisms you saw, the upwards glance up at the ceiling for inspiration," Wolffe says. "And for me, the big giveaway was at the end of that answer-I don't know if you could see it on camera, but the president flashed a big grin to those of us sitting in the front rows. It didn't seem that he was quite as contrite as his performance."

According to multiple sources, Blair planted the question with British reporters leaving England and informed the White House. Both Blair and Bush had scripted responses to the question and it was pre-determined that the question would be recognized so he could ask the question.

"It was a setup from start to finish," says a member of the press crew that covers Blair on a regular basis. "We knew the question was coming and we knew Blair had a response ready. As for Bush, we didn't know if he had been briefed but we suspected he had."

Two sources within the White House confirm Bush knew the question was coming and was ready with his scripted response.

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