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this dialogue between the President and soldiers was most certainly "staged" in a way... but that doesn't make the whole thing false.
from what i've read, the pentagon official (or whoever the handler was from stateside) was giving them tips about how to present themselves w/out appearing nervous and making sure each knew what types of questions would be handled by which specific soldiers.
this approach is quite common among military presentations... a SME (subject matter expert) will be designated from a group of potential speakers for a specific subject. if questions about said subject arise... it's much better not to have a less-informed (but more vocal) person jump in w/a response. the SME will say his piece first and others will add to it as necessary. this is better for the speakers (the SME won't have to cut the legs out from under anyone by contradiction) and the listener (a cohesive answer from the most knowledgeable). i come from a daily observance of this protocol, watching the pentagon coach from this perspective didn't raise many alarm flags.
let's face it people, this televised photo op was less staged than every Presidential debate last year. it's a curious thing to see the behind-the-scenes pieces of the whole political machine, but they're always there. partisans making political hay out of this are either 1) incredibly naive to this think has any significance or 2) purposefully blinding themselves to the realities of political posturing across the board.
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If you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly, you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a precarious chance for survival. There may even be a worse case. You may have to fight when there is no hope of victory, because it is better to perish than to live as slaves.
~ Winston Churchill
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