A Less Than Friendly ASNE Intro for Bush, But Plenty of Jokes from the President

By: Joe Strupp President Bush might have thought he would get a kind, welcoming introduction for his appearance Thursday at the American Society of Newspaper Editors conference.

After all, he was introduced for the lunchtime address by Rich Oppel, editor of the Austin American-Statesman, which Bush termed his ?hometown paper? during his eight years as Texas governor. The president even joked that when someone mentioned Oppel?s son, Richard, a Baghdad correspondent for The New York Times, to Bush during a recent overseas visit, he exclaimed, ?I know the old man!?

But, apparently, such ties do not bind. When Oppel introduced Bush, he made clear his dissatisfaction with the president?s war approach, declaring that ?President Bush led us in to a costly war that seemed to undermine our alliances. We can be confident that history will not cite him for inaction.?

Oppel did not stop there, adding, ?Since then, we have become a less-open society. Classification of documents increased 50% in 2004 over the previous year. The government has also created 1 million new classified documents.?

?Mr. President,? Oppel concluded, ?seeing as we may have differences over access to government information, in our discussion today perhaps you may speak about the resolution between national security and an open society.?

Indeed, Bush went on to defend his administration?s tight control over public information, claiming that he is in favor of open government but not at the risk of national security. He declined to elaborate on specifics or offer any hope that restrictions might loosen in his second term.

Still, that did not stop Bush from joking about his often-tense relationship with the press.

After hearing Oppel?s introduction, Bush spotted American-Statesman reporter Ken Howard in the press pool and noted he was glad that the reporter was on the job.?Just trying to help you out," the president added. "Hope you can help me out.?

Turning to outgoing ASNE President Karla Garrett Harshaw (whom the president called Harrison), editor of the Springfield (Ohio) News-Sun, Bush said, ?Clark County, Ohio -- that would be one of my favorites.?

Then he turned back to the crowd and reminded them he is not alone among presidents in fearing press scrutiny.

?Jefferson said our liberty depends on freedom of the press, that cannot be lost,? Bush said. ?He also said, ?I have given up newspapers and I find myself much happier.' I have not given up newspapers, but I do find myself much happier. It has been a remarkable time in Washington. I deal with a lot of decisions. At your next editorial-board meeting, ask how will you make decisions. I have a decision to make today, do I go with a fastball or a slider.? Again, laughs.

Oppel picked up on that comment, noting that Thursday night was the home opener for the relocated Washington Nationals baseball team. He noted that he'd seen a hat with the new team's insignia, and ?I see they named it after you, with the big W on it.? Oppel also asked if Bush had tickets to tonight's game. ?I thought you would ask about FOIA,? the president responded.

Other editors did ask about FOIA, which Bush said he supported, but only if it did not affect national security. He also declined to comment on the subpoena fight in the Plame case, while supporting government-sponsored news propaganda as long as it is not deceptive.

After about 30 minutes of questions, Bush cut it off and left, declaring, ?I gotta hop.?