This struck me as instantly odd: The White House released its "Statement by the President on Death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi" press release at 7:31a.m. EDT, and included a photo of a sombre-faced President Bush delivering the statement in the Rose Garden as he gripped the podium, tensely focused. Too bad it was but a thumbnail compared to the photo at left. Who, exactly, thought it would be a good idea to include this picture of Bush kicking back on the phone in the Oval Office? This photo does not say "We have tough days ahead of us in Iraq that will require the continued patience of the American people," it says "Yo, Tony! Howsabout we grab a brewsky later over nachos in the West Wing kitchenette?" I have no idea if there is a West Wing kitchenette but I do know that this is probably not the most effective photograph to convey a stronger, more presidential Bush.
It is, however, a photograph ripe for captions. Send your suggestions to "Eat The Press" via the "Spin The Press" submission box and I'll post the best, funniest and spinniest versions tomorrow.
