Greetings. A publicity-related teleconference between President Bush and U.S. troops in Iraq this morning was billed as a "spontaneous" exchange. Unfortunately for the White House, an open satellite feed of the pre-teleconference discussions clearly showed the troops being coached by a Dept. of Defense official, who "drilled" them on questions and answers in advance.

Call it "coached" or call it "scripted" -- either way it was anything but spontaneous. Here's a brief video clip (Windows Media), which also includes a related question from the White House press after the event.

--Lauren--