To demonstrate that he does not live in an insular bubble where bad advice and groupthink are the norm, Bush and his advisors met yesterday for a "consultation" with former secretaries of state and secretaries of defense of previous administrations. Thirteen in all, including the most experienced man in the room (whether you like him or hate him), J. Robert MacNamera.
Turns out it was a 40 minute "upbeat briefing" from Bush to his visitors, followed by "5 to 10 minutes" of interchange.
And then photos.
The visitors had more to say, but according to the NY Times:
…by that time Mr. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld had gone on to other meetings.