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Bush Defends 'Extraordinary' Steps
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Leon E. Panetta, who was chief of staff to President Bill Clinton (D), said Bush "appears to be AWOL" on the economic collapse. "When there is what I would call an economic 9/11 crisis on our hands, it is really important to try to restore confidence with the American people," he said. "The fact is that people hired him for that job; they didn't hire Hank Paulson."
White House aides bristle at such criticism, noting that Bush has regularly spoken about financial and economic issues throughout his tenure and that previous presidents, including Clinton, are often reticent to talk publicly during such crises to avoid spooking the markets.
"Democrats will be critical no matter what we do," said White House spokesman Tony Fratto. "But the notion that the president has not been out talking about the economy and the financial markets, not just this week but over the past year, is ridiculous."
Bush's public profile has been overshadowed further by the presidential campaign between Sens. John McCain (R-Ariz.) and Barack Obama (D-Ill.). McCain has sought to distance himself from the unpopular president, and the candidate's aides have told reporters there are no plans to invite Bush on the campaign trail this fall.
"The White House can read polls just like everybody else," former White House press secretary Ari Fleischer said Wednesday. "My guess is that they are gauging how visible to make the president around some of these major, substantive developments."
Bush, who has not taken a public question from a reporter since a visit to South Korea on Aug. 6, continued that trend yesterday. After reading his remarks, Bush turned away from the podium.
"Is the economy still strong, Mr. President?" a reporter shouted. Bush ignored the question and kept walking.
Staff writer Paul Kane contributed to this report.
