File under you ask what we tell you

So what do you know, the same right slanted USA Today that hired Ann Coulter to be a fair columnist, now admits that the Bushies have awfully appreciate audiences. The article, though, does not go nearly far enough in addressing the Kerry campaign charge that the GOP are stacking the deck at "campaign" stops for the Imperial "me-no-start-war" Chimperor. As with most of the media -- ok 99.9% of the media -- "Merica's Paper" threw softballs and did not even address the danger in having campaign stops that are completely controlled, crafted, and prefabricated events.

But these "Ask President Bush" campaign forums, the eighth of which was held at Northern Virginia Community College here Monday, leave little to chance.

The national Bush campaign staff works through a local Republican office to assemble an audience of 1,000 to 2,500 people, depending on the site. The party offers registered party volunteers two tickets — and says more are available if volunteers want to bring open-minded friends.

Depending on the message Bush wants to put across, the local office also lines up some carefully chosen locals to take the stage with him and explain how Bush's policies are helping them afford college, buy a home, save money on health insurance or expand a business. They are given "talking points" ahead of time.

And all of this careful attention to detail, creates nothing more than fiction. Let us not overlook that they are screening entry to the event and requiring people to sign pledges that they support the president.

Man, your hand is cold...

Although all this manipulation aside, does that mean that they planned on the little boy who was yawning and fdgeting his way through a chimpy speech? I know Letterman would like to know.