Not ready for prime time: Prior to this week's press conference, the
Washington Post wrote in an
editorial: (emphasis added)
During his more than two years in office, Mr. Bush has held just eight solo news conferences. The last one before his March appearance took place four months earlier. By contrast, President Clinton had held 33 such events at this point in his term, and the first President Bush had held 61.
We went to the White House website and found the following information about Bush's press conferences:
| | Press conference (as titled on the White House website) | DATE | TIME | PRIME TIME? |
| 1 | Press Conference by the President
The James S. Brady Press Briefing Room | February 22, 2001 | 2:40 P.M. EST | NO |
| 2 | Press Conference by the President
The James S. Brady Briefing Room | March 29, 2001 | 10:32 A.M. EST | NO |
| 3 | Press Conference of the President
The James S. Brady Briefing Room | May 11, 2001 | 2:04 P.M. EDT | NO |
| 4 | President Holds Prime Time News Conference
The East Room | October 11, 2001 | 8:00 P.M. EDT | YES |
| 5 | President Bush Holds Press Conference
Press Conference by the President
The James S. Brady Briefing Room | March 13, 2002 | 4:00 P.M. EST | NO |
| 6 | President Urges Congress to Support Nation's Priorities
Press Conference by the President
James S. Brady Briefing Room | July 8, 2002 | 5:00 P.M. EDT | NO |
| 7 | President Outlines Priorities
Presidential Hall
Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building | November 7, 2002 | 2:00 P.M. EST | NO |
| 8 | President George Bush Discusses Iraq in National Press Conference
The East Room | March 6, 2003 | 8:02 P.M. EST | YES |
| 9 | President Bush Discusses Top Priorities for the U.S.
Press Conference of the President | July 30, 2003 | 10:33 A.M. EDT | NO |
Considering the fact that Bush rarely gives solo press conferences, it's remarkable that when he does give one it's unlikely to be seen live by the American people - because it's usually held in the middle of the day. That way, most people will learn about the event through short clips on the evening news. They won't have an opportunity to watch Bush "think on his feet", which a live unedited broadcast would show.
posted by Quiddity at 8/01/2003 08:18:00 AM 
