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The attraction is distraction Big Wheels Keep on Turning...By Rick Horowitz "OK, let's go swimming." President
Bush, after finishing a two-hour bike ride with cyclist Lance Armstrong
MEMORANDUM Herewith some first impressions re 8/20 biking event with POTUS and Lance Armstrong, and more general assessment of ongoing vacation activities. Biking event was held at time of increased publicity/controversy re nearby Sheehan encampment, mixed news from Iraq, plus standard background noise from usual suspects: "out of touch," "pedaling while Rome burns," etc. [Note: Filters eliminated 95-98% of negative comments from news summaries, staff caught the rest. Time to upgrade software?] Overall Event Assessment: Highly positive. President and Armstrong have comfortable relationship of long standing. After seven Tour de France victories, Armstrong had nothing to prove, no reason to upstage. Route set at 17 miles, two hours (with waterfall stop) -- sufficient for good workout, short of presidential knee-pain threshold. President's mood immediate pre-event: 82. Immediate post-event: 94. Atmospherics: Highly positive. Minimal staff presence avoided "traffic-jam" appearance. Secret Service discreet as always, Discovery Channel film crew kept professional distance and still got everything they needed. Footage to air week of 8/22, will reinforce "guy's guy" image. Photo released to press showed president and Armstrong side by side -- president slightly ahead, but not by enough to look staged. Good work! "Tour de Crawford" T-shirt souvenirs a nice touch, likewise riding socks with presidential seal. [Check re possible RNC fundraising tie-in.] Substance: Mixed. Armstrong "lobbied" for increased federal funding for cancer research -- understandable given his personal history, although president clearly prefers substance-free exercise events. President offered to follow up, but avoided committing to specific action or funding level. [Who says he's not quick on his feet?] Despite previous skeptical/negative statements by Armstrong re war, no detectable conversation about situation in Iraq -- consequently, no need to deploy Small-Talk Redirection Task Force, which remained at Alert Level Orange throughout ride. Possible Tweaks: Consider stronger/broader warning to future guests -- "Even a single ill-considered word can disrupt all-important presidential mood." Risk of receiving negative information or comments from visitors is impossible to eliminate so long as president values image as "people person." But protection of presidential comfort zone should remain Priority One. Consider enforcing "Sports Talk Only" format. Reevaluate limits on stun guns. Looking Ahead: Remainder of vacation schedule to continue current balance of high- and low-exertion distractions, with occasional forays beyond the compound for "presidential" events -- speeches, etc. Office of Friendly Venues reports some recent narrowing of options, but still plenty of towns in Utah and Idaho where protests are less likely than in radical hotbed Salt Lake City. Also military bases. [Note: Check Johnson/Nixon files for travel schedules.] Boredom always a possibility on lengthy vacations -- steady diet of riding, reading, fishing, and brush clearing can become tedious, while urge to deal with business back in Washington can become overwhelming. No evidence of either tendency, but holding bowling night and circus visit in reserve just in case. Summary: Despite occasional intrusion of outside world, continuous amusement of president has been largely successful. President still on track for funnest summer ever. Posted 8/23/05. For
your commentary fun -- summertime and anytime -- click to "Rick's"!
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Rick Horowitz
