Another one...

…from behind the Hotline subscription wall (my sample sub runs out soon. Donations to keep it alive are welcome, of course…)

While Preznit 30something% has often used troops as a theatrical backdrop, sounds like he's hired on a few for speaking roles, too...

Pres. Bush's visit via satellite with soldiers in Tikrit this morning was scripted, according to a WH aide who was, in her own words, "scripting" the soldiers shortly before their "conversation" with Bush. The following is a transcript from pool footage, obtained by The Hotline:

WH aide: "Capt. Kennedy are you ready?"

Kennedy: "I am ready, ma'am."

WH aide: "Okay this is for the money. We are going to time this and remember that if the President cut's it short, if he asks more questions, if you have the microphone and he follows up with a question to you, no matter who has it, Captain Pratt if you have the microphone and the President hears something and he wants more information, you just keep that microphone and talk to the President."

Kennedy: "Okay."

WH aide: "But if he gives us a question that is not something that we have scripted Captain Kennedy you are going to have the mic and that's your chance to impress us all."

Kennedy: "Okay."

WH aide: "Which won't be a problem for you" (Hotline sources, 10/13).

(emphasis mine)

One for the money, two for the show. Jeebus.