Bush's Battlefield Envy

"'More and more we are engaging in the new-media world, and these are influential people who have a big following,' said Kevin F. Sullivan, the White House communications chief."

Blogger " John of Argghhh" wrote: "President Bush observed, that as far as he knows, this was the first time that a sitting President had hosted a group of bloggers for a chat at the White House." In a separate post, John notes: "Make no mistake - he knew we were going to generally be a receptive audience, and we were. The staff knew our blogs, and they knew that while some of us have not always been fans or happy with things as they are, they knew we were not going to storm the Bastille, either."

Bill Roggio of the Long War Journal wrote that Bush talked about "the importance of blogs in providing an additional view of the conflict not often seen in the established media."

Carroll of military.com wrote that "the meeting came about because the staffers were convinced the assembled had shown themselves in writing to be pro-mission (or in my case pro-military), if not pro-administration. . . .

"Here are some of the highlights from my notes. (Remember it's hard to write and maintain eye contact with the Commander-in-Chief):

"* 'The question is will we do what it takes to defend ourselves?' . . .

"* 'This strategy is my strategy.'

"* 'I'm defining a horizon of peace.'"

Bill Ardolino, blogging in his Iraq Journal, wrote: "My question focused on how national political reconciliation will affect progress in the Anbar Province and Fallujah specifically, and the President's answer honestly surprised me in its length, level of detail and grasp of events on the ground."

" Mrs. Greyhawk" of the Mudville Gazette wrote: "It was history in the making. This alone was awe-inspiring and I did have to concentrate hard to keep from having an idiotic grin on my face thru out the meeting, especially since we were all discussing serious issues.

"Unfortunately, I did not get to say much since the President gave very long but thought provoking answers to the important questions given him [by] others."

Mrs. Greyhawk added another highlight: "I tinkled in the Whitehouse."