Wow, Larry King

"Tough" as ever.

"Larry King Live" is the first stop in any damage control operation — a chance to explain oneself to the least contentious journalist in the land.

And that is why President Bush invited the CNN talk show host to the White House on his 60th birthday. The standoff with North Korea over its missile tests, the war in Iraq and ever-sliding ratings in the polls have given the president little reason to celebrate. Mr. King gave the president a chance to defend his policies without risk of interruption or follow-up.

If you love Bush so much, why don't you marry him?
Although even in softball land moments of light come in:

G. BUSH: He also has said he's going to win his primary.

LARRY KING: I know you like him.

G. BUSH: You're trying to get me to give him a political kiss, which may be his death.

LARRY KING: You hugged him before the State of the Union, right?

No, I know you generally...

Larry, Larry, Larry, it wasn't a hug, it was a big wet sloppy man kiss.