Well, it's not as if he's reading War and Peace.

Sounds pretty normal for him, though.

Further proof that Bush was challenged both horizonatally and vertically...he also had trouble telling right from left.

This is a called a "Book" Mr. President. The thin, papery stuff inside are called "Pages." On them you will find "Words." You still following me or am I moving too Fast?

The man is obviously very talented.

They're called handlers, Dubya.  Check 'em out.  Or better yet, hire some competent ones.

When I was in the business, if I'd have allowed my candidate to appear in this manner, I would expect to be reamed out at least, and possibly fired.

Bear in mind how this kind of situation happens.  Its called a photo-op, and the candidate is put in position like any other prop, pretty much at the last minute.  Its done in less than a minute, often in seconds.  The staff's job is to make sure that stupid shit like this doesn't happen.

Not so much a political embarrassment as an advertisement for investment in literacy.