Rich: Bush and his "crowd" are now in the sweet spot. Read, for instance, the following from today's Chicago Tribune:
Bush delivered a noontime speech to several thousand people assembled in the town square of Bratislava, thanking Slovakia for aiding the U.S. in Iraq, and commending the nation, which has been independent since the breakup of Czechoslovakia in 1993.
The fact that Slovaks who once lived under communist rule are free and that Slovak soldiers have served alongside American forces in Iraq and Afghanistan provided Bush a focus for his message that the ouster of Saddam Hussein and successful elections in Iraq represent the newest chapter in a long history of liberation.
Bush stood before the National Theater, one of many places where public protests across Czechoslovakia in 1989 launched the "Velvet Revolution" that ended communist rule. By 1992, an accord was reached to divide the nation, and the Czech Republic and Slovakia were founded.
"Almost 17 years ago, thousands of Slovaks gathered peacefully in front of this theater," Bush said. "With their candles and prayers, the people of Bratislava lit a fire for freedom that day, a fire that quickly spread across the land."
`Purple Revolution' hailed
Evoking the purple ink-stained fingers of Iraqis who voted Jan. 30, Bush said: "We have witnessed landmark events in the history of liberty, a Rose Revolution in Georgia, an Orange Revolution in Ukraine and now a Purple Revolution in Iraq."
His audience cheered, many raising the little paper Slovak flags they had been handed in the square before the campaign-style rally, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice also raised a flag and smiled at the crowd.
On the perimeter of this heavily guarded rally on a frigid and snowy day, the American delegation could hear the chants of a few dozen protesters who raised banners, including one picturing Bush and the words: "Wanted for crimes against our planet."
But, as the reported concluded, "those on the perimeter" still cannot resist blaming Bush as that evil Satan responsible for everything bad that happens in the world, including your morning's burned toast.
But cheers. Bush is catching a wave at its top. This means that the next move may be down unless Carl Rove can come up with something new and dashing.
Now go back to your breakfast, pal. |
