Senator John Warner (R-VA) has suggested that President Bush use something similar to FDR’s Fireside Chats to inform the public about the war in Iraq. AP.
The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Sunday suggested that President Bush use an FDR-style presentation to update people on progress in the war in Iraq.
Sen. John Warner, R-Va., recalled that during World War II, President Franklin D. Roosevelt often went on the radio in “fireside chats” to explain to the nation in detail the conduct of the war in Europe and Asia.
“I think it would be to Bush’s advantage,” said Warner, who served in the Navy during the war.
“It would bring him closer to the people, dispel some of this concern that understandably our people have, about the loss of life and limb, the enormous cost of this war to the American public,” he said.
Bush plans a speech Wednesday at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., on the fight against terrorism.
The Senate voted 79-19 on Nov. 15 to urge the Bush administration to explain publicly its strategy for success in Iraq and to provide quarterly reports on policy and military operations. A call for a plan to set a phased withdrawal of troops, which Bush opposes, was dropped from the nonbinding resolution when Republicans and some Democrats objected.
I really have two positions on this. One the one hand I am all in favor of the President doing more to keep the people informed. I think that one of the less successful aspects of this administration has been their communication. While President Bush has done a better job of this recently, it has not been a hallmark of the time in office so far. Much of the information from the White House has been in response to some query, instead of in advance of any questions. More pull than push.
I believe the American people would respond positively to increased and improved communication. I’m sure that many people, if asked, would say that they would welcome this information.
However, there are several details that could make this a difficult task to implement.
FDR’s Fireside Chats took place in a different time. News was disseminated slowly, primarily through newspapers, and radio was a new medium for this type of information. In this pre-television age there is the common image of families sitting around the radio listening to the President’s chats. None of this would be applicable today. Information comes at us in a myriad of ways today; hundreds of television channels with dozens dedicated to nothing but news, the internet increasingly a source of news, and newspapers are still a place to get information. So, the first difficulty to overcome would be the medium used. A commenter on my cross posted piece about the President’s most recent radio address asked, “How many people actually listen to the President’s radio addresses?” I’m sure the numbers are low. With the vast majority of radio stations offering very little in the way of news, radio would not be an obvious choice.
Television could also be problematic. Would the major stations be willing to air these chats in their entirety, or would we only see a few sound bites? Should they choose to air them would it be for free, or would the administration have to purchase the time? And if they are aired without cost, wouldn’t regulations demand equal time for the opposition? If the idea is to present a broader picture of the actions being taken, I have concerns about TOM airing the little bit they find news worthy.
The internet is an increasing source for news for many people, although it’s reach is still limited. The White House could use their web site and stream or even podcast these talks. Still, I believe they would reach far fewer people per capita than FDR. And as with television there would be the probability that many sources would use bits and pieces rather than delivering the entire message.
So while I am supportive of the idea of increased communication from the administration regarding Iraq, the war against Islamic terrorism, and many other topics, I am unsure as to how they could best present this information.
Your comments are welcome, as always. Sister Toldjah, guest blogging at Blogs for Bush, has this link to information on FDR’s Fireside Chats.
Cross posted at Pyjamas Media.
Linked with breakfast at basil’s blog. Added to the OTB Beltway Traffic Jam.
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