could not disguise his seething internal rage at the thought of being nailed as a liar. The
internal turmoil was expressed in the frequent incoherence of verbal expression. Bush
started off with an evasive and rambling introduction in which he portrayed himself as
fighting to prevent the suffering that an automatic sequester under the Gramm-Rudman-
Hollings law would entail. The first question: "I'd like to ask you about your reversal on
'no new taxes.'" occasioned more evasive verbiage. Other questions were all on the same
point. Bush attempted to pull himself together:
I'll say I take a look at a new situation. I see an enormous defecit. I see a savings and loan
problem out there that has to be resolved. And like Abraham Lincoln said, "I'll think
anew." I'm not -- but I'm not violating or getting away from my fundamental conviction
on taxes or anything of that nature. Not in the least. But what I have said is on the table,
and let's see where we go. But we've got a different-- we've got a very important national
problem, and I think the president owes the people his --his judgment at the moment he
has to address the problem. And that's exactly what I'm trying to do.
And look, I knew I'd catch some flak on this decision....But I've got to do what I think is
right, and then I'll ask the people for support. But more important than posturing now, or
even negotiating, is the result....
It was a landmark of impudence and dissembling. One of Bush's main objectives as he
zig-zagged through the press conference was to avoid any television sound bites that
would show him endorsing new taxes. So all his formulations were as diffuse as possible.
Were tax revenue increases the same as taxes?
Bush: And I say budget reforms are required, and I say spending cuts are required, and so
let's see where we come out on that.
Q: But is it taxes?
Bush: Is what taxes?
Q:What you're saying. Are you saying taxes are --higher taxes are--
Bush: I've told you what I've said, and I can't help you any more. Nice try.
Q:You said we needed--
Bush:You got it. You got it, and you've got a--you've seen the arrows coming my way.
And that's fine, but-- let people interpret it any way--
Q: Well, I have--
Bush: Well, I want to leave it the way I said I would, so the negotiators are free to discuss
a wide array of options, including tax increases. Does that help?