Once again, we have POTUS looking like the Head of State with the most inept staff in captivity. The "call of nature" scenario is one of the closest to universal in these multiple-speaker sorts of meetings. The Leader makes a small, agreed-to signal to a subordinate, who passes it to a back row staffer. The stafer then comes forward and whispers in the Leader's ear. The leader mutters something on the lines of "excuse me for one moment," departs, and returns as soon as possible. Why was President Bush not briefed? It's right up there with the silliness of telling political appointees to take direct charge in an emergency, rather than keeping out out of the way of the trained professionals. Or trying to spin away the utter standstill brought about by a Presidential visit. Three people died on MEDIVAC aircraft that were grounded by the "Purple Corridor" that surrounds an overflight by Presidential aircraft? Presidents and their staffs make these kind of blunders in the first few months of the first term. It's like the staffer who told President Clinton to have a barber come out to Air Force One rather than bringing downtown L.A. to a stop ....... not realizing that the continued presence on Air Force One on the ramp was bringing LAX to a standstill. But that's while everybody is learning the complexities of the job. Fairly or not, it is such silly episodes that the press grab onto in times of tension and tragedy. The relation between President Bush and Doctor Rice gets questioned fairly frequently. At least, this time, it's mildly amusing. | 
