December 7, 2007
Posted: 05:47 AM ET

Bush accidentally gave out the wrong number Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) — Harried homeowners seeking mortgage relief from a new Bush administration hotline Thursday had to contend with a bit of temporary misdirection from the president himself.

As he announced his plan to ease the mortgage crisis for consumers, President Bush accidentally gave out the wrong phone number for the new “Hope Now Hotline” set up by his administration.

Anyone who dialed 1-800-995-HOPE did not reach the mortgage hotline but instead contacted the Freedom Christian Academy — a Texas-based group that provides Christian education home schooling material.

The White House press office quickly put out a correction moments after the President’s remarks. After dialing the correct number, 1-888-995-HOPE, CNN was connected to a “counselor” within three minutes.

CNNMoney.com: White House: Bush Subprime plan offers help to 1.2M

– CNN White House Correspondent Ed Henry

Filed under: President Bush


Joe G, Washington, DC   December 6th, 2007 2:33 pm ET

Bush proves once again that he is a D-O-P-E.

Juan, Fort Lauderdale, FL   December 6th, 2007 2:41 pm ET

Quality news by the Communist News Network…

rob   December 6th, 2007 2:41 pm ET

Poor Shrub. He loses his own house in 13 months!

John, Boston, MA   December 6th, 2007 2:41 pm ET

Such a goof he is…..We couldnt expect anything better from George.

JM, OH   December 6th, 2007 2:44 pm ET

Typical Bush… Why do I keep hearing the Benny Hill theme song?

HISTORY REPEATS, NY   December 6th, 2007 2:45 pm ET

this guy is NOT a genius

Tom, ALBUQUERQUE, NM   December 6th, 2007 2:45 pm ET

President Bush is such a dunce. Is he really this dumb or is this a stratagem? This man can't get anything right. Stumbling into the Presidency was his most clever feat. After reaching the apex of presidency popularity he found a way to screw that up. What a waste.

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   December 6th, 2007 2:51 pm ET

Iam so glad he spoke to tha nashun–and give us a good number to call fer hep"

Scott, America   December 6th, 2007 2:53 pm ET

Juan… you seem to be blaming CNN for reporting this. How come? Should they have left the mistake uncorrected? Shouldn't people be informed of the correct phone number?

Walt, Belton, TX   December 6th, 2007 2:55 pm ET

It should have been 1 888-BIALOUT!!!

Marilyn, Barbourville, KY   December 6th, 2007 2:57 pm ET

I think it's wonderful the President is deciding to do something about the mortgage crisis but it's a little too late for those of us who have already lost our homes because of it.

Austin, TX   December 6th, 2007 3:00 pm ET

How could we have elected him twice. He is not the fool, we are!

Drew, Oakland, CA   December 6th, 2007 3:04 pm ET

Wow, Juan from Florida, I didn't know any self-respecting American still shilled for George W. Bush, demonstrably the worst President in American history. Guess you showed me! Facism and ignorance are WAY easier than participatory democracy and critical thought! Ooh, FoxNews is on, pass the Cheesy Poofs. What were we talking about again? ;-)

J, Arkansas   December 6th, 2007 3:05 pm ET

This really isn't a big deal. He mixed up 1800 (which is what all the toll free numbers used to be) with 1888 (which many are now). We all know he's slow, and the White House corrected the mistake promptly.

chris, chicago, il   December 6th, 2007 3:06 pm ET

This is a big surprise from a guy who has been attacking the wrong country for five years.

America, are you serious?

http://www.golden-lamp.com

baaaaa   December 6th, 2007 3:07 pm ET

LIAR!!

David, Orlando FL   December 6th, 2007 3:08 pm ET

Oh, yes- hauling out the "communist" card again.

Anybody who doesn't agree with Bush is a commie. Hmmmm…sounds a bit oppressive to me, kinda like Stalin and Hitler.

john mitchell, Orlando Florida   December 6th, 2007 3:09 pm ET

What do you expect from a man than has trouble speaking a grammatically correct sentence. Go Yale ! I am amused that he talks about not wanting to bail anyone out, yet Wall street keeps getting in the form of rate cuts from their do boys at the Fed a huge handout.

Dave, Denver, CO   December 6th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

Sigh–What do we expect? The guy has a middle east peace conference that was supposed to salvage his entire presidential legacy and can't even pronounce the two principal leaders' names.

Chuck, San Antonio TX   December 6th, 2007 3:10 pm ET

Dubya misinforming the public? Say it ain't so!

Luis Rdoriguez,Torrance,California   December 6th, 2007 3:14 pm ET

What is the big deal about him giving away the wrong #?His whole life has been a wrong #!

Jim rego Park, NY   December 6th, 2007 3:16 pm ET

Good God…help us all!

Aaron Smithsburg, Maryland   December 6th, 2007 3:17 pm ET

It wasn't the wrong number it was just botched intelligence. Jeez it's not like we went into a war or something with false pretexts???
Bush will bail his buddies out (Scooter Libby, Alberto Gonzales). But you, you better look for a second job to pay that rising mortgage. Relax I hear the Army is hiring part-time.

demwit   December 6th, 2007 3:18 pm ET

What's Brad Pitts number? Anyone??

pat huntington ny   December 6th, 2007 3:19 pm ET

What else would you expect from the idiot in chief.

Tom Dawson, Pacific Palisades, Ca.   December 6th, 2007 3:20 pm ET

So what else is new? Isn't there anyone in this administration who can do anything right? It/they would make a very fine, very funny musical comedy if they weren't messing up the U.S.A. and the world so tragically.

Laura, Minneapolis, MN   December 6th, 2007 3:22 pm ET

Drew, Good one!! But who says Juan is self-respecting? He couldn't be if he is still shilling for bush. And doesn't he know that there is no more communist threat? Now it's those pesky environmentalists. He's so behind the times.

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   December 6th, 2007 3:25 pm ET

Well he knows all the words of "Hail to the Chief". Hm..hm…hm, hm,hm,…hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm….hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm,hm…hm,hm,hm,hm

J. Stiles, Trenton, NJ   December 6th, 2007 3:29 pm ET

He probably was deathly afraid of saying "1-666…" and offending his ultra-right-wing base!

JohnGalt Sturgis, SD   December 6th, 2007 3:32 pm ET

War or finance…when Bush opens his mouth, inaccurate information spews out. He will be gone soon, his (Bush 43) perverted intepretation of the U.S. constitution will hang on Americans backs like over-wieght apes.

Kate, Aurora CO   December 6th, 2007 3:35 pm ET

I think it is ridiculous our government is doing anything to aid irresponsible people. No one forced you sign a mortgage you couldn't afford. Please don't feed me the line about the lenders being shady. You are adults. You should read before you sign and you should do the math before committing to a purchase as significant as a home. Thanks to you irresponsible idiots, people like myself who knew better, couldn't afford a starter home because of the whole madness. I had to wait almost 3 years for the prices to go down. Even then, I hired an attorney to help me understand everything I was getting into and an accountant to make sure I could afford my home and still live comfortably. Since Bush is helping those who were irresponsible and ignorant, maybe those of us who did the right thing should get a check. Whatever happened to personal responsiblity?

Don Tampa, FL   December 6th, 2007 3:35 pm ET

Well, what did you expect. This guy is NOT the sharpest tool in the shed and his driveway does not go all the way to the road. The U.S. will be looking forward to 'Scrub' and Dick ' used car salesman' Chaney leaving office and NOT finding their way home… another example of 'lost in disgrace… I mean space'.

Melissa, Dallas, TX   December 6th, 2007 3:37 pm ET

So what's the correct number? And was it similar to the incorrect number?

Like no one here has ever misread a phone number. C'mon.

Melissa, Dallas, TX   December 6th, 2007 3:37 pm ET

Oh, 1-800 vs 1-888.. big whoop. Even I misread it.

Jim - Tucson   December 6th, 2007 3:45 pm ET

Does his plan include teaching lenders and borrowers addition, subtraction and the ever feared multiplication.

Chris, Middletown, CT   December 6th, 2007 4:02 pm ET

I like the angry left…they all get together and talk about how the government left us down and there are simply not enough entitlement programs….people today talk about the "mortgage crisis" - we used to call it people buying beyond their means….and the Democrats will discuss the "Healthcare crisis" - we used to call it people who made a choice to not work for Walmart, Staples, Starbucks or others that provide healthcare - I guess healthcare wasn't that important to them…..now we are also being asked to help the people in New Orleans who lost their homes in Hurricane Katrina - we used to call that "people who built below sea level and decided not to buy flood insurance are plain dumb" - we seem to be asking for public funding for bad choices…making your bad choice my tax liability….what happened to JFK's party "ask not what your country can do for you" - all the Democrats are embracing a socialist model…very scarey….its time you take accountability for yourselves

Arthur, Mathews VA   December 6th, 2007 4:04 pm ET

This is what happens when you take a dolt that couldn't manage a Denny's and use his daddy's connections to make him president. So much for democracy…..

Andrew, Atlanta, GA   December 6th, 2007 4:06 pm ET

Wow - what a weird "coincidence", huh? Normally I'd say this was just an example of Bush's incompetence - or just an honest mistake - but WOW. The incorrect number was a CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL materials group IN TEXAS? Who wants to bet that we find out some connection between Bush or someone in his administration and this company?

This is right up his alley too. It's no secret to me that he's pretty much for home and private schooling, especially religiously-based schooling, and decimation of public school education in the U.S. (Bush isn't honest about anything, so you have to read between the lines here and actually look at his behavior to make this connection…).

Vinny C., NYC, NY   December 6th, 2007 4:07 pm ET

I couldn't help laughing at this. Not at President Bush, just at the situation. Picturing a dude calling for mortgage help and getting advice on home schooling.

It's probably not Bush's fault. He's most likely reading from a tele-prompter which had the error. Even if he misread it, not a big deal.

Andrew, Atlanta, GA   December 6th, 2007 4:09 pm ET

And shame on CNN for reprinting where the ACTUAL number leads a person. You've just advertised this for Bush! You played right into his hands!

Andrew, Atlanta, GA   December 6th, 2007 4:11 pm ET

WHERE the original number leads a person, not actual :)See, we all makes mistakes. But methinks this was deliberate on Bush's part.

Jeff, Schaumburg, IL   December 6th, 2007 4:21 pm ET

Kate from CO, I couldn't agree more.

Not only will the rest of us not be rewarded, we will be punished. These homes not foreclosing (which would have) would have been the appropriate reaction to a bad financial move. The foreclosures are the proper corrective action. Those people would have gambled and lost. The lenders will be able to sell the property, aiding in the retrenching of prices.

Instead, that is further money tied up. Lenders will need to charge higher interest rates to offset their "losses", and the "Fed" will print even more "money", thus further taxing us all through inflation to pay for the ARM-indiscretions of 1.2 million.

I feel as though I should be able to throw a bunch of money into an options play, and if it doesn't work out, I should charge everybody for a portion of my mistake.

ALSO: I think G-Dub is the worst president of all time, but this was not just him/them. Both sides of the aisle were lining up for this one. Very un-American, very un-equal, very socialist.

Travis, Columbus, OH   December 6th, 2007 4:22 pm ET

What outrages me more than his two-digit mistake (easily preventable by this invention called a cue card) is that Bush felt the need to insulate both the foolish buyers who bought something they couldn't afford and greedy lenders who took advantage of them from the consquences of their actions. Maybe I'm a bit harsh, but as Kate pointed out, anyone looking to buy something as expensive as a house should be willing to shell out the comparatively minimal expense of hiring a competent real estate attorney and enlisting the help of a realtor. When will we learn as a country that we, not the government, are responsible for ourselves? Thanks, Great Society.

Bud, PA   December 6th, 2007 4:22 pm ET

Is our children learning?

Bush, you are a miserable failure as a president and as a human being.

John C Marietta, GA   December 6th, 2007 4:24 pm ET

Really this is no big deal, tis is a mistake anyone could easily make.

This is a man that has made more costly and deadly mistake than any president in recorded history. This one is not even on the radar.

richmerritt   December 6th, 2007 4:30 pm ET

It went to a Christian home school textbook supply place… in TEXAS? And we're supposed to be believe it was an accident?

Laura, Minneapolis, MN   December 6th, 2007 4:31 pm ET

Kate - I don't see how other people's buying a home with a sub-prime mortgage affects your ability to buy a home at all. Interest rates are very low and the actual price of the home is something completely different and wildly variable.

Also, not everyone can afford to hire an attorney to buy a house, and not everyone understands the finances involved. Are you saying they should be denied the American dream?

I'm a homeowner as well and I can tell you that I was seriously PUSHED to buy more than I could afford. Because I have a very strong will and work in the real estate field I understood what I could afford and resisted. Not everyone is like that.

Kurt Corpus Christi TX   December 6th, 2007 4:34 pm ET

W, the gift that keeps on giving…to comedians

aaron Smithsburg, Maryland   December 6th, 2007 4:35 pm ET

Yep honest mistake I didn't see the difference in the numbers at first glance either. Just like all those zeros in his paycheck, and all those zeros on Iran's nuclear capability, and all those zeros in the weapon inspectors reports for Iraq's weapons of mass destruction. He did get it right though that North Korea wouldn't have a nuclear weapon in ten years. They have them now! It's clear this man is a vessel of divine intuition.

Mike, Warren MI   December 6th, 2007 4:39 pm ET

To Kate, Aurora CO

To some extent, I agree with you. I purchased my home, took the time to understand my responsibilities, retain a good job, etc.

However, look at your own statement. You said you hired an attorney and an accountant to make sure that you were doing things right. Don't you think that is a bit expensive? I mean, your average middle class family/middle class single-parent family/middle class single person cannot afford to hire an attorney and an accountant to buy a home.

Dan, TX   December 6th, 2007 4:45 pm ET

Posted By Kate, Aurora CO : December 6, 2007 3:35 pm

But Kate, not everyone is as intelligent, well-educated, or savvy as you are. I know it is hard to believe that someone would sign a mortgage just because someone told them that they'd have "no problem" affording it. But some people are very trusting. Or perhaps they had a job and were laid off, etc.

Another example. You wouldn't imagine getting in a car and driving without car insurance. It would be extremely unwise, even foolish to do so. Yet, even though it is required by law, there are millions who drive without buying car insurance.

However, protecting the mortgage companies and their investors from their employees making loans to people who can not afford them is important. This bailout is to help save the mortgage companies as much as the people who took the loans.

Lee-Glendale,CA   December 6th, 2007 4:45 pm ET

President Bush today unveiled a foreclosure relief plan that he said could help 1.2 million distressed homeowners.
Does this include the speculators that got multiple properties under the cheap up front ARMS hoping to sell for big profits prior to balloon? If thats the case, its wrong. Only single homes for borrowers should see any relief. That is if you believe any of them should.

Jaik , chicago, IL   December 6th, 2007 4:49 pm ET

Of course the president would give out a christian evangelical hotline. if you are in financial trouble, he'd like you to turn to the church and be a good little lamb.

Amanda Orlando, FL   December 6th, 2007 5:12 pm ET

I don't blame lenders, I don't blame the economy, I don't even blame the president for giving out the wrong number. My issue is with the millions of Americas who were DOPES for signing onto these ridulous ARM's and committing to payments they could barely afford, just because buying a home rather than renting was such a fad five years ago. Anyone with half a brain knows that ARM's are risky, and I can't believe so many people would buy into the home-buying craze with complete disreguard for the reality of their financial limitations. It's not an investment, it's a gamble. A gamble that a lot of people are now losing, a lose that is now being dumped onto tax payers. If you thought that buying a home even if you couldn't afford the payment was a wiser financial decision than renting YOU are the idiot. I don't feel sorry for these people at all.

Chris, St. Paul, MN   December 6th, 2007 5:21 pm ET

It is times like these that I miss Jon Stewart and the daily show!

Brendose, Oceanside CA   December 6th, 2007 5:40 pm ET

Freedom Christian Academy in Texas? Hmmmmmm…….sounds tooo coincidental to me.

1 more year of America being embarassed by the most powerful idiot in the world!

jms58   December 6th, 2007 5:41 pm ET

He is such an embarrasment to this country.

Aaron, Minneapolis MN   December 6th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

We need more people like GW's in this country. He's a patriot.

B. Nightengale, Dallas, OR   December 6th, 2007 5:44 pm ET

Give the guy a break, will ya? After all there are one heck of a lot of digits to keep straight when reading that cue card. Just remember how well he keeps the budget deficit and national debt numbers straight. Not to mention all those numbers he smoked during his college days.

never make any mistake   December 6th, 2007 5:45 pm ET

888 instead of 800 ?? Big deal. We had to change the prefix in our office from "9″ to "8″ to dial out because people kept dialing "911."

See what you get for trying to help people Mr. President?? lol

Deborah Landes, Sarasota, Florida   December 6th, 2007 5:51 pm ET

What makes you think it was a mistake?

Kate, Aurora CO   December 6th, 2007 5:54 pm ET

Firstly, retaining the services of an attorney for maybe the max 3 hours, is not as expensive as you would think and if you can't afford to pay $300 for an expert to help you understand one of the most important financial decisions of your life and to not fall victim to shady lenders, then perhaps you shouldn't be signing on to repay a $500K mortgage. The home prices in So. Cal soared to record highs in 2005-early 2007. This coincides with the low interest and artsy mortgage deals people were getting. Companies were offering mortgages to unemployed people. So now you think its fair that the rest of us who made wise decisions, pay for that? Where do you think the "aid" to the poor victims is going to come from?

Uber Bitsy, Vero Beach, FL   December 6th, 2007 6:03 pm ET

I think that Bush is one of the worst things ever to happen to our country, and I can't stand to see his face or hear his voice. That said, his mistake with the phone number is a common one, and very easy to make. It does not make him stupid or an idiot; almost everything else he's done does.

Laura -Tulsa OK   December 6th, 2007 6:11 pm ET

How many people who criticize the President have not made a mistake in the past 24 hours?

JB post falls ID   December 6th, 2007 6:11 pm ET

Your right Mellisa it was a simple mistake. My 2 year old sometimes messes up her numbers too.

J. D. Miller   December 6th, 2007 6:17 pm ET

It's been seven years now and can anyone remember Dubya ever getting anything right.

He'll never be late for a "Mensa" meeting, maybe a kindagarden Reading Class, but certainly not a Mensa meeting.

Alex, Rockford, Illinois   December 6th, 2007 6:20 pm ET

Is this really news or just pandering against the GOP?

Alice Newman Center Harbor NH   December 6th, 2007 6:23 pm ET

Notice the organization Bush knows the number to … wonder if this is the group that sells his brother's educational software through …

Bob Ostapovich Scottsdale AZ   December 6th, 2007 6:37 pm ET

Your caption under the photo says President Bush made his speech on Tuesday. Duh!

Eric, from THE Republic of Texas   December 6th, 2007 6:38 pm ET

"Yeah, Bush is dumb… (hee hee hee). Bush is goofy (hee hee hee)."

Geez, you guys sound like a bunch of petulant, sniveling 14-year-olds. Grow up.

Who among us has never verbally mixed up "1-800″ and "1-triple-eight?" Who among us has never dialed a wrong number? Ever transpose a number or a letter?

"Yeah, but Bush is still dumb… (tee hee hee, tee hee hee…)." Go back to your iPods, kids.

Becky, Euless, TX   December 6th, 2007 6:40 pm ET

thsi is what I have been talking about, he can't get anything right!

john williams san diego, ca.   December 6th, 2007 6:45 pm ET

Drew from Oakland…i reckon you are a just a young college whippersnapper when you state that bush is the worst president ever..it is a fact that jimmy was the worst and will ever be the WORST ex-president ever unless 'her royal majesty' is elected.

Providence   December 6th, 2007 6:49 pm ET

I think it all makes sense. The Rapture is close, it is better to convert than to think about silly financial matters. That's why the incorrect number was provided.

Evan, Norwalk Connecticut   December 6th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

anyone else find it amusing that CNN points out bush giving the wrong phone number, but the photo caption says "tuesday" when it was really thursday?

all in good fun…i still like you cnn

Ron Paul, Washington, DC   December 6th, 2007 6:52 pm ET

a hotline? for hope?

what have we become?

Wake up America, we cannot rely on the government to solve our problems. It is dangerous.

Scott, Madison, WI   December 6th, 2007 6:53 pm ET

This guy has been giving out wrong numbers for more years than he can even count. Seems his whole administration has a problem with numbers and (ac)counting. When it comes to body counts, they don't have a clue.

Joe - Boston MA   December 6th, 2007 6:58 pm ET

I can't stand the man but, c'mon, it's a mistake that's easily made. What I do have a problem with is CNN calling the correct number just to see how long the wait was, thus forcing others who truly need the relief to wait that much longer to start the process. Nice job CNN.

no mo dynasties - wilmington   December 6th, 2007 7:02 pm ET

ha ha ha ha

Oscar, Rio Vista CA   December 6th, 2007 7:03 pm ET

hmmm!! Provides Christian education home schooling material. I wonder which friend or family member runs this business.

monkey, Raleigh NC   December 6th, 2007 7:07 pm ET

Ok, I guess it's an honest mistake, but,man, glad I'm not the only one who saw the incredible irony of the wrong number connecting to the FREEDOM CHRISTIAN ACADEMY!

Freedumb is on the march.

Someone explain to me how there is not massive demonstrations of outrage in the streets of this country over just how badly this dude has screwed us over?

Apathy kills.

Oscar, Rio Vista CA   December 6th, 2007 7:08 pm ET

To Kate: if you are not selling your home you have nothing to worry about. The value of your home has gone down, which means you will be paying less in property taxes.

The businesses that supplied these loans are in trouble as well as the people losing their homes. There is a lot of blame to go around. I think the people who are hurting the most are those that have to sell their homes due to circumstances but can't because there are all these cheap houses that are in foreclosure around them. What about help for these people.

Andrew, Atlanta, GA   December 6th, 2007 7:12 pm ET

I posted a message about this hours ago. Where is it? I don't think this was an accident. At first I thought it was just due to his incompetence…or just a simple error. That is, until I read the wrong number was for a company that sells CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL materials based in TEXAS. Does this seem like a wee bit of a coincidence to you? How much do you want to bet that we find out some connection between this company and Bush or his administration? It wouldn't be surprising, since Bush is very pro-private (esp. religious) school, homeschooling, and eradicating public education (you have to read behind the lines here since Bush never tells the truth - but he is).

What I find worse about this story is that CNN reprints the original number and where it goes - playing right into Bush's hands to advertise this place - instead of saying the old number was wrong and here's the new one!

Thunk Different.   December 6th, 2007 7:14 pm ET

u kant b serius

Patrick Peavy Plano, TX   December 6th, 2007 7:22 pm ET

Please people this isn't a poor reflection on our President or CNN. It is a newsworthy story because I am sure some people were very confused. I fail to see how this makes Bush dumb. Keep in mind this is coming from a die-hard Hillary Clinton supporter and not a huge Bush fan either. But I reserve my criticism for him on an issue by issue basis. Of course I also know how to respectfully disagree with people unlike most political bloggers.

Raj, Seattle, WA   December 6th, 2007 7:25 pm ET

Agree with Kate from CO the government should NOT bail out people who made irresponsible commitments. I don't have any fancy lawyers or accountants, but doing the math on a home is easy. If you can't do a simple monthly budget, you don't deserve to own a home.

Many of us have been trying to save enough money to buy a home, only to have prices driven up to absurd levels because people kept bidding up prices in the hope of flipping them in a few years. We need prices to come down a lot to normal levels. How does it make any sense that a home today costs 60% more than it did two years ago in many places?

People with ARMs are just going to unload their homes, so someone else will be left holding the bag. They should be forced to sell or foreclose if they can't afford it - nobody has a right to a home they cannot afford. Frustrating to see irresponsible behavior rewarded this way.

Louisville, Ky   December 6th, 2007 7:28 pm ET

What's truly sad is Bush probably did not know there are other toll free prefixes other than 800. This is a man who has not had to dial a phone call for himself in 16 years. What a yutz!

Belle, Solvay, NY   December 6th, 2007 7:29 pm ET

We all make mistakes, big and small! Unfortunately, it can be embarrasing when a mistake is made by an important person, and it's another excuse for those who like to pick on others to have laugh. It's not right!

michael meridian,id   December 6th, 2007 7:36 pm ET

Mr. Bush is the worst thing that ever happend to usa and the world. I'm so ashamed that he is our President!

Jim Redstate, Tampa Florida   December 6th, 2007 7:37 pm ET

What number should we call if we suspect that someone is trying to build a nucular bomb?

stephen Costa Mesa, CA   December 6th, 2007 7:38 pm ET

I think he did this on purpose. Makes sense, doesn't it? He doesn't really care.

Hal Marinette, Wi   December 6th, 2007 7:43 pm ET

Every party needs a clown!!

BJ, Milwaukee WI   December 6th, 2007 7:48 pm ET

Seems like someone could of picked a number not so close to the Christian Academy one. I am sure it took months and millions of dollars to come up with though. I think that would be a real issue to cover not that he messed up a prefix.

Mark, Vermilion, Ohio   December 6th, 2007 7:50 pm ET

OK. So we are going to focus on the fact that someone who's job is to run the country messed up 800 vs 888 ( I do this all the time ), rather than the fact that he negotiated a deal with banks?

You should also understand that this isn't a bailout, which I would have been ticked off about, but more of a favor. This is similar to the president's power to negotiate during labor disputes. The banks are going to freeze the adjustable rates on qualifying mortgages.

Its so very disheartening to listen to people complain and moan about everything this president has done, is doing, and will do. Its getting to the point that if you accidentally wash a blue sock with your whites, it must be Bush's fault.

James -- Troy, New York   December 6th, 2007 7:58 pm ET

You guys really push it. Why report on something so trivial? I'm sure we all know why…

leighflurry   December 6th, 2007 8:01 pm ET

wrong hotline number from Prezza No.43. and baffled callers get through to the freedom christian academy in Texas. Simple error? If the wrong number was for Joe's Diner in French Lick, Indiana, Elmer's Gun Emporium in
Sand Point, Idaho, Marcel's Cufflinks Store on Fifth Avenue, NY ….. maybe. A Cristian academy in Texas …. hhmmm.
Have Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan from the CIA look into this.

laredo,

David Fort Worth, Texas   December 6th, 2007 8:03 pm ET

Aiding the people that are losing their homes will not affect ANYONE that is writing on this board. No new taxes, no higher rates on new loans…nothing. It is real easy to condemn people and real hard to help them. At least to the good republicans of america.

Anonymous   December 6th, 2007 8:05 pm ET

I've never misspoke in my entire life. Anybody who has is a terrible person and deserves a news story.

Get a life people.

DJones, McLean, Virginia   December 6th, 2007 8:05 pm ET

Does CNN have a home loan they have questions about? They why are you calling and wasting the time and probably slim resources of the hotline? Once again reporters thinking they are the world instead of just reporting the world.

Angela, Phoenix AZ   December 6th, 2007 8:06 pm ET

The "Hope Hot Line" was NOT, repeat NOT, set up by the Bush administration. It is an already existing hotline for the Home Preservation Foundation, a non-profit organization with a mission that is self-explanatory. The hotline has been in existence for MONTHS now and the Bush administration has NOTHING to do with it. I didn't hear the press conference, but I hope that Bush didn't try to take credit for the hotline (although it wouldn't surprise me in the least). The folks at the Home Preservation Foundation would not be happy about their hotline being called the "Bush Hotline".

kittin balls :D.watertown.MA   December 6th, 2007 8:09 pm ET

wow bush should think before he talks. well at least he will be gone at 2008…. some dumb head

Tom, San Diego, CA   December 6th, 2007 8:09 pm ET

Who cares about a silly mistake like this, its no big deal. Allowing a sub-prime bailout angers me though.

Charlie Roberts, Waterloo Iowa   December 6th, 2007 8:16 pm ET

A year ago I bought a Lexus. I really couldn't afford one at the time because I was already having a problem paying the monthly lease on my Geo. I said what the hell, I deserve it and signed the purchase papers anyway. Now I found out that I paid way to much for my Lexus and the 16% interest is killing me. Maybe the wrong number was given by Bush on PURPOSE. A little home schooling material may have been helpful.

Anonymous   December 6th, 2007 8:17 pm ET

Man,
I'm no Bushie, but you rabid anti-bush fans are as bad as the rabid pro-Bush guys. (I bet half of you were pro-Bush until that went out of fashion). All he did was say 1-800-whatever instead of 1-888-whatever. That doesnt make him stupid, that makes him just like the rest of us who have all dialed 1-800 instead of 1-888

Madge Sinclair, Kansas city, MO   December 6th, 2007 8:33 pm ET

Now don't be hard on bush. He's come a long way. He can now pronounce two syllable words without trouble. I am proud of you, George! Keep up on your phonics!

Marvin, Memphis, TN   December 6th, 2007 8:33 pm ET

I have a wide stance.

Daphne   December 6th, 2007 8:36 pm ET

It is usual that CNN has nothing else to report and then these liberals pass their comments to fill your pages here. CNN is enjoying this charade every day. Wise up.. You do not have sense of fair reporting. I do not care if you do not publish my comments here. It looks like CNN and it's readers who are supporting are perfect ones.

David Grant, Boulder, CO   December 6th, 2007 8:40 pm ET

While it is clear that our unfortunately President isn't very bright and could have made such a mistake, it is equally probable given his religious activism that it was intentional.

Tom Dedham, Mass   December 6th, 2007 8:40 pm ET

Any of you losers with BDS make a mistake today?

Actually all of you have, as many of you mocking a simple mistake are the same uneducated losers that support Sillary and post about her greatness with no factual evidence and when she is proven to lie, like dumb as hell sheep being brought to the slaughter, you still follow.

By the way, the polls prove that the Obama people are far superior in brain matter to you. Sorry if the truth hurts.

Many conservative leaners (myself included) are not so jaded that we can't criticize this administration or even laud a Democrat when deserved, Clintonista's on the other hand see through one prism.

And like those sheep, you are leading the Democrats to slaughter by supporting her.

Experience? How about REAL experience and RESPECT that Biden, Dodd and Richardson have EARNED by actually DOING SOMETHING.

Keep supporting her, she will be easy to beat in the general, but the way things are going, she may not make it.

This is "fun".

jose   December 6th, 2007 8:41 pm ET

Mistake My A!

Jane Schiff, Cincinnati, Ohio   December 6th, 2007 8:44 pm ET

What would make you think this is an oops? I think that any "family values" group and/or corporation might possibly be seen as responsible for the subprime crisis.

Gene H, New York   December 6th, 2007 8:48 pm ET

So President Bush gave a wrong number. What's a big deal? News nowadays are becoming really ridiculous. What will be next? President forgot to turn off the iron before leaving his home??

jack jett   December 6th, 2007 8:50 pm ET

bush…make a mistake?

come on now……the world just didn't take down the right number

Lauren, Manhattan, NY   December 6th, 2007 8:51 pm ET

Some of you are pathetic for bashing my president!!!! I'm sure most of you voted him in to begin with. Get over it and catch the next election.

Brajesh, Weston, Florida   December 6th, 2007 8:58 pm ET

After reading this article you feel that its time for a change then make a difference for Election 2008, post your opinions of the Presidential Candidates at YouRankTheRace.Org!

Brian Tampa, FL   December 6th, 2007 9:01 pm ET

He read it off a teleprompter. Someone obviously put the wrong number on there. Its not like the man set the thing up himself so chill with the dumb comments. He graduated from two ivy league schools, owned a baseball team, got elected Governor of Texas and twice President so if he is dumb what does that make you? Spare me the rich daddy comments, there have been plenty of rich connected kids who don't have near that resume including your beloved Teddy Kennedy.

Nathan, Ames, Iowa   December 6th, 2007 9:08 pm ET

"…had to contend with a bit of temporary misdirection from the president himself."

At least this time it was only temporary…

Mary Grace Stanislaus Kostka, Houston, TX   December 6th, 2007 9:28 pm ET

Ohhhhh. Don't be rude and too mean to Mr. Bush. He is OUR President and we voted for him, didn't we? So …..

frank Honolulu HI   December 6th, 2007 9:28 pm ET

Is this why we invaded Iraq instead of Iran?
He just mispoke? It is kinda important that the Prez of the US gives factual info. Don't you think so?

Friend of Bush   December 6th, 2007 9:37 pm ET

Of course all you Americans are like this. Unforgiving!
People do make mistakes and this one is very easy to make.
How do you think he would have tested the numbers to know the right one. Put your self in the position..normally things like this will not be set up by the president himself. Somebody set up that hotline and mistakenly gave him the wrong number which he had no way of verifying…well, maybe he would have had someone in the office to verify it but with so many things going on it can be hard to pay attention to such little details…

Leave this man alone and don't just focus on his negative experiences. He was trying to help with something he didn't have to do?

Trevor, Austin, TX   December 6th, 2007 9:50 pm ET

John C,
Have the current President's mistakes equaled JFK getting us involved in Vietnam, or Johnson escalating that war beyond control? Bush has made plenty of mistakes, but people calling him the worst ever do not look very far in the past.

KEITH JAMES LOUTTIT   December 6th, 2007 9:51 pm ET

It's obvious the number was given to him by one of his staffers, who until recently worked at the HRC Headquarters, where she was finding people to plant questions at debates!

My Leader would never do that on his own!

John G. Charleston SC   December 6th, 2007 9:57 pm ET

So just because he misread a phone number, you people have nothing better to do than rip him a new one for it on a meaningless political blog?

John C from Marietta, you say he made the most costly mistake in recorded history, um not really. Can anyone tell me which President was most hated while he was in office? Big Hint-He is one of the most beloved Presidents now and he quite literally split the country in half when he started the Civil War. Anyone have an answer?

Now I won't say that Bush hasn't made any mistakes in office but a simple slip of the toungue while reading a piece of paper is hardly something to spend so much time and effort on.

My greatest problem with this is that this will spend more time in the news than anything any democrat has done lately.

mkerec   December 6th, 2007 10:00 pm ET

> Quality news by the Communist News Network…

What is it with Americans? ANYTHING & EVERYTHING that questions whoever happens to be ruling the place at the moment, or indeed ANY plan to change ANYTHING (Clinton with Health care comes to mind) you always call it "communism"? I don't get it. Wake up.

Joe, York Pa.   December 6th, 2007 10:03 pm ET

Why should i feel sorry for the idiots who got an ARM? Why are my tax dollars bailing them out? I'm sure it was explained to them how an ARM works…perhaps these financial gurus should have purchased a smaller house!!! When will Americans start taking care of themselves?

People should really read how the Roman Empire fell… there are a LOT of similarities to America today.

Dave Waterman Omaha Nebraska 68147   December 6th, 2007 10:12 pm ET

To Amanda who said she dont feel sorry for these people,of coarse not self centered selfish people never feel sorry for anyone.The government is corrupt and missleading to say the least.They keep everybody occupied with a trick question an answer game.They throw out all these possibilities for solving the problem and avoid the real answer.How about saying what ever the loan intrest rate that was used to bait these people into an underhanded sceme like this.
The only fair answer is what ever the intrest rate that was offered to net these victims is the rate it will remain throughout the entire loan.WHAT? and let the rich take a hit for once? Never.The government wouldnt have to spend the republicans treasure money,if the lenders would be made to suffer for thier tricky ways.If brains were dynomite Bush and the republican party wouldnt have enough to blow thier own noses.But they sure think they do.The only reason why he said anything at all is because it is the christmas season and he wants everybody to feel better so they go out and shop so he can generate revenue to fund his little war dream.And he wants the retailers to have a merry merry christmas.Show these poor people you care and make this year the worst christmas sales season on record.Dont let them spin us around.The lenders can survive on a 5,6,or7 percent return on thier investments.They only give us 5 percent on the money we put in thier banks.Why do they think they deserve 19 percent?Because the government will let them that is why.And even back them up with taxpayers money they risk nothing one way or the other.If it were me I would burn the home in question and wait for the police and tell them I aint playing this game no more you feed me.

Jose Card   December 6th, 2007 10:27 pm ET

I just love this country. I feel so close to our president these days.

Now we have 800, 888 and 866 and it's confusing. President Bush probably hasn't dialed any toll free number for a very long time.

philip, alexander city, alabama   December 6th, 2007 10:32 pm ET

what else should we expect, he has put this country in the worst shape that we have ever been in. hell, he cant even spell hope

Tim, Massapequa, NY   December 6th, 2007 10:36 pm ET

Yes, people do make mistakes, and this clown has made a ton of them. And a person can honestly read something wrong, however the simple mistake just happened to be a Christian Based home school supply number in Texas of all places is a bit troubling.

John from America   December 6th, 2007 10:38 pm ET

Just an innocent mistake heh - and this guy is holding the Nuclear Football!

Lord help us - we need it with the idiot in charge!

Esperanza, Las Vegas, Nevada   December 6th, 2007 10:51 pm ET

Well I definitely agree with Laura. . .I never said that Bush was great, but really, everyone makes mistakes and the press is so hard on him. . .can you imagine what it must be like to be him? "Before you criticise anyone, walk a mile in their shoes. Then criticise them, because you are a mile away andd have their shoes." JK. . .but still, be nice to the poor fellow. Its not as easy being president as you think. He's under a lot of pressure, and maybe all the rude stuff about him is what makes him mess up.

Mike, Fox RIver Grove, IL   December 6th, 2007 10:54 pm ET

His mistake probably would be more helpful than his plan. It won't help 1.2M Americans, it'll barely help 140,000 if that. It's hugely restrictive, it only affects a very few next year, and does nothing to help those homeowners (not asinine speculative buyers) who can't afford their mortgages because they got a 2% or 3% pay raise but gas went up 30%, heating up 20%, electric up 15%, milk up 15%, and so on. Those are the people who need help!

Oh, and never mind that his GOOD FRIEND and HUGE DONATION MAKER to his account was CEO of Ameriquest, the biggest more predatory lender, cheater, and deceiver of any mortgage company ever. And one that settled for peanuts on the dollar to the people they ripped off and ruined their lives all so said CEO could be given an ambassadorship by Mr. Bush.

Homeowners should know of this and understand how they were thrown under a bus by their President for money.

Brendan H., San Antonio, TX   December 6th, 2007 11:00 pm ET

Bush truly is a clown!!!

Who will be blamed for this?

Why, Bill Clinton, of course!!!

Donna, Oklahoma City OK   December 6th, 2007 11:06 pm ET

Laura/Tulsa - We may have made mistakes in the last 24 hours, but we didn't campaign - twice - to run the richest, most powerful country on earth. It's called a higher standard.

Mike, Kalamazoo MI   December 6th, 2007 11:15 pm ET

It is all a joke - why should people be bailed out while others work their tail of to pay for their homes. People bought houses they couldn't afford and helped drive this up by the spend mentality that is driving america. It is time to let people feel the pain of bad decisions - I don't live on credit and can't live the outlandish life that everyone else lives, but I go to bed knowing that I will be able to put food on my table tomorrow. That is more important than driving a new Mercedes and living in a 4-bedroom house

jack jett   December 6th, 2007 11:23 pm ET

Why is it that CNN chooses to focus on this story instead of the fact that Bush lied to the American people and almost lead us into another war?

Everyday you seem to become a little more of a mouthpiece for the Bush Administration.

ralph tyler, santa fe,nm   December 6th, 2007 11:30 pm ET

Bush is not stupid. When he is disinterested he disengages and that is mistaken for stupidity. He is truly uninterested in Americans, and that is what we see.

Chris, Bentonville, AR   December 6th, 2007 11:32 pm ET

The President made a mistake. A very common mistake at that. Everyone who criticized the President becuase of a simple mistake should be ashamed of themselves.

andrew, long beach, ca   December 6th, 2007 11:56 pm ET

Kate,
do you think that life is "fair" in general? I don't think so. You should be glad that you're smart enough not be in this mortgage mess. Let's not forgetthat the gov't and greedy "fat cats" knew about this consequences all along and still didn't take any actions, because they knew that they could live their happy lives at that time… well, what a about the BILLIONS of DOLLARS that Bush is wasting in IRAQ… DO you think it's fair to all Americans… Where do you think the money comes from?>>>> certainly not just from "Smart people" like you, but from a lot of those that You call "idots" who had been paying hefty property taxes too……

Donovan Brownstown, MI   December 7th, 2007 12:09 am ET

You think this WASN'T planned?!?!? It just HAPPENED to be a fundamentalist christian education group. Right. This was a planned stunt. I'm SICK of this administration trying to shove their religion down our throats. I'm SICK of neo-cons trying to LEGISLATE religion. Politics and religion should be mutually exclusive. I want freedom FROM religion. As an American, I have that right … though no one seems to be respecting it - from G.W. Bush to Jehova's Witnesses at my door. The world would be a better place without it.

Jackie, Kirkland, WA   December 7th, 2007 12:29 am ET

I completely agree that this was done on purpose - a Christian textbook company in Texas is not a coincidence.

HarHar   December 7th, 2007 12:32 am ET

Democrats don't make any mistakes! Ever!

Colleen, Sacramento, CA   December 7th, 2007 12:40 am ET

Any education group Bush promotes isn't worth looking into.

Chad, Durham, NC   December 7th, 2007 12:41 am ET

Idiot

Kathryn, Tampa FL   December 7th, 2007 12:55 am ET

Was it an accident? A Texas based Cristian Academy… there's something fishy about that.

erika morgan black dimond wa   December 7th, 2007 1:07 am ET

It just does not matter, nothing he does has any relevance and now even he knows it.

barry...dana pt....calif   December 7th, 2007 1:11 am ET

Holy cr*p…what next?

kaywood Hopkins Seattle, WA   December 7th, 2007 1:29 am ET

You know, I don't think CNN should talk about making errors on LIVE TV, have you ever seen the mistakes they make? We should start posting CNN's mistakes on YouTube :)

I know they won't post this :)

rather laugh than cry, N.J   December 7th, 2007 1:55 am ET

Come on,you have to laugh.This guy could put Larry the Cable guy out of a job.Larry is making millions from people who think their own stupidity is funny.He may not make the giving speeches circuit after he leaves but he can always do stand up comedy! As for the money lenders,they knew exactly what they were doing,being greedy and making tons of money. This is a bail out for them and Wall Street not for average joe America.The number wasnt wrong,you will need a lot of faith if you think you will ever get help and keep your home.Lmao

Doug, New Jersey   December 7th, 2007 1:55 am ET

Such hate from the national socialists. Want to know all you need to know about these current American liberal democrats?

You get their support by talking about shooting the president between the eyes. You will never hear a republican politician ever say that, see while liberals embrance such hateful, sick comments, conservatives find them repulsive. It is not that the GOP has some lock on religious people, it is just that it is virtually impossible for someone to fear god and participate in the kind of anger and hate that consumes the being of the average liberal democrat. Let's remember that there are some great people who are libs, they just don't understand what it is they are supporting.

K.T., Seattle, WA   December 7th, 2007 1:59 am ET

Thank goodness he gave out the wrong number… why should people who took on mortgages they couldn't afford receive assistance. They make Bush look like a pure genius.

PAUL PROVIDENCE RI   December 7th, 2007 2:14 am ET

OMG, why put out this headline, why not just put on the real number. I know you hate the guy and let me say CNN has never made a mistake or any other of you who wrote sly remarks on here. I see that he also spoke about the congress and the senate, doing nothing about the bills put foward. Why not tell the American people about these bills and check into them. NO, CNN has to find something to pick on. There are so many free telephone numbers out today who can remember all of them. Why don't you all just listen to someone who is trying to help these people who are about to lose their house. He made everything else clear, but this 800 number is your problem. Give me a break. I am not for Bush, but I am for fairness and truth

RR, WA   December 7th, 2007 2:34 am ET

I love the conspiracy theories about this being intentional. I bet Karl Rove (wait–is he still a bogeyman now, or was this maybe Cheney's sinister plot?) had to work pretty hard to get the phone companies to assign those numbers that are exactly the same except for the 888 vs 800.

I for one have never heard a toll-free number referred to as an "800 number." …and it surely isn't coincidence that a Christian organization would use the word "HOPE" in their number without some steering from the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy.

Seriously, though, folks.. Disagree with the President's policies, judgment, etc., but this sort of childish hyperventilating over something so trivial really doesn't bode well for the state of political discourse in our nation. It's somewhere around the importance of the pronunciation of the word "nuclear."

Steve Schultz, Desert Hot Springs, California   December 7th, 2007 2:50 am ET

As with most of this President's "Plans", he has no real idea how the whole thing works. The Lackey's who put things together for our nearly literate Pres. give him the easy jobs, like giving out a 10 digit phone #. And this is the guy with his finger on the nukooloor button? We are doomed.

nick   December 7th, 2007 3:03 am ET

hey, i am a bubble sitter, why not help me since i was RESPONSIBLE and didnt become a homedebtor for something i cant afford….

and for the last time, they do not OWN the home, they just signed up to pay for it but cant. just like an apartment. you cant pay, you get kicked out. pretty simple.

Gary, Oakland, California   December 7th, 2007 5:23 am ET

Rarely is the question asked: Is our President learning?

Sam, IA   December 7th, 2007 5:25 am ET

The gullibility of the American public never ceases to amaze me. The program i to protect the lencers, not the lendees. Those homes will belong to the lenders when there is a market for them and until then they will basically be renting them to the current buyers. In the meantime we taxpayers will susidize Bush and his republican cronies propping up this psuedo, debt based, republican economy.

mark wilkes barre pa   December 7th, 2007 5:32 am ET

pile on ,pile on ,to use a quote. Any little thing the haters can use to say see,see, Its all so old now. You all know that what your all dishing out every time a republican speaks is going to come back at your side at some point If or when you have a democrat in the whitehouse. your wasting valuable one-liners, jokes, and hate rederick on someone who won't be around for long. If you haters that I see posting day after day three times on one story sometimes, spent just a fraction of that time posting positive information directed at helping people learn about the candidates who ARE running for THIS ! election , WE would all be better human beings for it. I have no problem with anyone speaking out what they believe or think about someone running for office , it comes with the territory. I do have a problem with "pile on ' rederick designed to mold an opinion toward an entire party. The president mis speaks mis spells mis quotes all the time .To me its a funny part of his personality, to haters it stupidity. Well let me break the news to the haters. No one,,, and I don't care how much help or money or power they have stays in office two terms by being stupid. Wrong mabey,, stupid NO!!!!!

Pat White King NC   December 7th, 2007 5:38 am ET

So what's new. That is not all he has put out that was wrong

Anonymous   December 7th, 2007 6:09 am ET

It's all strategy here folks. Just like he constantly nominates people to offices they have no right holding. That way when it all falls apart they with all honesty claim ignorance.

Tom, Baltimore Md   December 7th, 2007 6:50 am ET

If he were some other nation's President/Premier we would be having a ball with him. The sad fact is that he is OUR President. We can never let this happen again. How can people honestly believe that he has made some intelligent decisions. Maybe going into Afghanistan… make this embarrassment end soon. It's our own fault.

Thomas, St. Petersburg, FL   December 7th, 2007 6:52 am ET

You liberals at CNN are so dang cruel;

(1) You did it to President Reagan by calling him "senile" (years prior to his actual unfortunate condition which caused his actual memory loss);

(2) You did it to President Gerald Ford in the 1970s (calling him clumsy);

(3) You did it to Vice President Dan Quayle (due to his erroneous comment about the correct spelling of "potato" while visiting a school).

Doesn't President Bush deserve praise for assisting people who have bought more house than they obviously can afford through bogus loans, such as "interest only" and "ARMs"?

In summary, in lieu of debating on a mature level, liberals prefer to call their opponents "stupid".

It's been their strategy since televisions had rabbit ears.

Joan, Oberlin OH   December 7th, 2007 6:59 am ET

Accident??? leading us to a Texas Christian Academy? Oh, where is Freud when we need him?

Peggy Greensboro NC   December 7th, 2007 7:10 am ET

I absolutely despise this protofacist idiot and yet even I think it's a non story. Good god, of all the things you could talk about when it comes to this guy, oh, for instance,like hundreds of thousands of people dead in Iraq and our civil liberties thrown out like garbage. But we are worried about him mispeaking? Get a grip. Thanks CNN for once again distracting us with tripe.

John, Washington DC   December 7th, 2007 7:14 am ET

If you've never given out a wrong number, or missdialed a number, or well, just plain ol' never made a mistake before then I suppose your critiques are not hypocrisy.

Perhaps he was relating the information given to him. Ever have your admin give you wrong information?

Oh, one might say "But not the President!" Yeah, that was my response when that blue dress was making the news.

Alice, VA   December 7th, 2007 7:16 am ET

"I think that Bush is one of the worst things ever to happen to our country, and I can't stand to see his face or hear his voice."

++++++++++++++

Substitute "Clinton" for "Bush" in your statement and I would agree with you 100%. Believe it, or not, Clinton is not as loved as you might think. As for the wrong phone number, an honest mistake….give the man a break. Bush bashing is tiring, petty and childish.

Anonymous   December 7th, 2007 7:24 am ET

yo

Surrealist, Fort Myers, FL   December 7th, 2007 7:32 am ET

We all make mistakes. I don't think any reasonable American would care. But when you are providing vital public information (which is just about every communique coming from the President's Office)the facts should be verified/reverified. I'm sure Bush didn't prepare the briefing himself–so he isn't directly to blame. However, the poor quality of the information (a la wrong number) is characteristic of the kind of care and precision he and his staffers put into critical information that is communicated from the White House to the American people. It is literally a culture of confused messages and slack oversight. The communication from his administration is handled by "such few" close insiders–that it doesn't get the kind of review warranted. So from his intelligence communications–to this wrong number, there appears to be a cavalier attitude of what is communicated to the American people! It is like a big cherry on a chocolate sundae of deceit,misinformation, communication failures–it gives us–yet another chance to say "told you so", and then listen as his "propaganda team" rushes to rephrase, correct, hide errors or oversights in clouds of obtuse explanations, smoke, mirrors and diversion. Thanks again Mr. Bush for providing yet another litmus test to us how attentive you and your team are to the information we receive.

george green, tampa, fl   December 7th, 2007 7:41 am ET

You Childrens, shutupp!

jw. canadian,ok   December 7th, 2007 7:45 am ET

I'm not sure why this idiot is allowed to speak at all. You Repubs sure know hot to pick'um. Let's us Dems pick th next prsidient.

Drew, Albany NY   December 7th, 2007 7:48 am ET

HHHmmmmmm…..let's see….accidentally gave out a TEXAS CHRISTIAN phone number….??? can you say, "SCORING POINTS" with the religious in the country? Geez.

Wayne, Greenville TX   December 7th, 2007 7:49 am ET

Poor Shrub. He loses his own house in 13 months!

Posted By rob : December 6, 2007 2:41 pm

He never should have been there in the first place. He's a useless squatter.

Mary, Beaver, PA   December 7th, 2007 7:57 am ET

I don't like Bush, but, by publishing this story and slanting it the way they have, CNN has created a joke that is looking for a punchline. It's the same as when they published news of his colonoscopy to the Ticker. All designed for the purpose of prompting Bush-haters to supply that punchline. But, we all make mistakes, even the precocious children who post to this Ticker. Perhaps we should all think about how we would like it if each little mistake we made was noticed by millions of people.

Michael F., Kalamazoo, Michigan   December 7th, 2007 8:07 am ET

At least the wrong number was something in the ballpark… if the number he incorrectly provided was something a bit less savory, then maybe this is news.

Either way, it's a toll free number, and the only real downside is that people waste a few minutes of their time and somebody might pick up some educational materials. In the grand scheme of things to criticize, this is a "no big deal".

ray, sarasota   December 7th, 2007 8:20 am ET

Notice the organization Bush knows the number to … wonder if this is the group that sells his brother's educational software through …

Posted By Alice Newman Center Harbor NH : December 6, 2007 6:23 pm

My thought, exactly. I also wonder whether assigning a similar number was deliberate

EB Rideout, Georgia   December 7th, 2007 8:23 am ET

Maybe he'll blame it on faulty intelligence…..in this case, his.

David Allen Linkenheimer, East Brady, Pa.   December 7th, 2007 8:24 am ET

I love the reference to "HOPE" in the phone number… We have been told to have "Hope" for the last 50 years by the polititions and those on the pulpit.
This message is a little thread bare now that there are informed people who seek to abolish the federal reserve and other extra-constitutional
creations fostered by the so called elite.
A return to lawful constitutional money is the cure for the economic woes facing the country.
The "New Deal" is not a good deal for we the people.

Heidi, Hartford Connecticut   December 7th, 2007 8:28 am ET

Does anyone else find it ironic that the # he gave out was for a Christian Home schooling group? Since he is one of those radical born again Christian nuts.

Trudi, St. Paul, MN   December 7th, 2007 8:30 am ET

People make mistakes. He really shouldn't. He has the most powerful position in the world (well after Cheney). This may be a small detail….but remember….God is in the details!

jon houston tx   December 7th, 2007 8:30 am ET

I COMPLETELY agree with KATE in Colorado.
And Mike, what do you mean the avg. middle class family cannot afford to hire an attorney or accountant? Think about your own statement. I am sorry, but it is ignorant.

You mean to tell me that you can justify spending one or two