From a New York Times editorial, 11/8/05:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/08/opinion/08tue1.html?hp

President Bush's Walkabout

After President Bush's disastrous visit to Latin America, it's
unnerving to realize that his presidency still has more than three
years to run.

An administration with no agenda and no competence would be hard
enough to live with on the domestic front.

But the rest of the world simply can't afford an American government
this bad for that long.

In Argentina, Mr. Bush, who prides himself on his ability to relate to
world leaders face to face, could barely summon the energy to chat
with the 33 other leaders there, almost all of whom would be
considered friendly to the United States under normal circumstances.

He and his delegation failed to get even a minimally face-saving
outcome at the collapsed trade talks and allowed a loudmouthed
opportunist like the president of Venezuela to steal the show.

It's amazing to remember that when Mr. Bush first ran for president,
he bragged about his understanding of Latin America, his ability to
speak Spanish and his friendship with Mexico.

But he also made fun of Al Gore for believing that nation-building was
a job for the United States military.

The White House is in an uproar over the future of Karl Rove, the
president's political adviser, and spinning off rumors that some top
cabinet members may be asked to walk the plank.

Mr. Bush could certainly afford to replace some of his top advisers.

But the central problem is not Karl Rove or Treasury Secretary John
Snow or even Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary.

It is President Bush himself.

_______________________________________________________

So what's new?

Harry

From a New York Times editorial, 11/8/05:
http://www.nytimes.com/2005/11/08/opinion/08tue1.html?hp

President Bush's Walkabout

After President Bush's disastrous visit to Latin America, it's
unnerving to realize that his presidency still has more than three
years to run.

An administration with no agenda and no competence would be hard
enough to live with on the domestic front.

But the rest of the world simply can't afford an American government
this bad for that long.

In Argentina, Mr. Bush, who prides himself on his ability to relate to
world leaders face to face, could barely summon the energy to chat
with the 33 other leaders there, almost all of whom would be
considered friendly to the United States under normal circumstances.

He and his delegation failed to get even a minimally face-saving
outcome at the collapsed trade talks and allowed a loudmouthed
opportunist like the president of Venezuela to steal the show.

It's amazing to remember that when Mr. Bush first ran for president,
he bragged about his understanding of Latin America, his ability to
speak Spanish and his friendship with Mexico.

But he also made fun of Al Gore for believing that nation-building was
a job for the United States military.

The White House is in an uproar over the future of Karl Rove, the
president's political adviser, and spinning off rumors that some top
cabinet members may be asked to walk the plank.

Mr. Bush could certainly afford to replace some of his top advisers.

But the central problem is not Karl Rove or Treasury Secretary John
Snow or even Donald Rumsfeld, the defense secretary.

It is President Bush himself.

_______________________________________________________

So what's new?

Harry