Adding Insult to Expulsion

Here are some pictures from yesterday, on FishbowlDC.

Conservative talk-show host Rush Limbaugh thought Bush was in excellent form. "This is the guy I know!" he exclaimed.

The White House's New Toys

William Douglas writes for McClatchy Newspapers: "When reporters return from their temporary quarters across Pennsylvania Avenue, they'll find new digs with new technology, likely including a high-tech 'video wall' behind the podium. That could transform the daily press briefing into a more video-friendly event - and it could also enable the Bush administration to take its message directly to the people, circumventing the journalists sitting in the remodeled room. . . .

"'There is a skirmish between the president and journalists over who controls the news agenda,' said S. Robert Lichter, president of the Center for Media and Public Affairs, an independent research institute. 'These new toys will aid the administration in setting the agenda by giving them more time, more video evidence, and a larger profile.' . . .

"That could transform the daily briefing into more of a made-for-TV presentation that resembles a newscast, but one produced by the White House, not the independent media, said Robert Thompson, a professor of television and popular culture at Syracuse University.

"'The equivalent of press releases could go out without interruption or analysis.' Thompson said. 'We have evidence that they are thinking along that line - video news releases.'"

Hope for Both

Here is the transcript of Snow's press briefing , just before Bush's arrival.

Snow: "There will be a new press room. For all of those of you who have been asking questions, there will, indeed, be a new press room. It will be right here. It is not going to be in a distant part of town. It will be right here in this very spot and the carpets will be clean, the electric -- the connections will be up-to-date, and it will be a more congenial and helpful work environment for all."

Helen Thomas: "Better answers?"

Snow: "In response to better questions."

Vacation Begins

Nedra Pickler writes for the Associated Press: "Heading for his Texas ranch, President Bush will take his shortest summer vacation yet with turmoil in the Middle East and an uncertain future for his Republican Party in fall elections."

Richard Benedetto writes for USA Today: "Analysts see Bush's shorter vacation as partly a response to the angry criticism last year from the hurricane-devastated Gulf Coast that he and his administration were slow to respond to the disaster. Bush cut his month-long Texas stay by two days. . . .