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David Frum: Why Bush Is All Charm Now
The National Post ^ | November 30, 2004 | David Frum

Posted on 11/30/2004 10:30:24 AM PST by quidnunc

George Bush's event planners have learned something from history. When Ronald Reagan spoke to Parliament in 1987, he was interrupted by heckling from the NDP benches led by Svend Robinson. That was almost two decades ago, but the lesson has been absorbed: A presidential visit offers irresistible temptation to the small but noisy narcissist-leftist faction on the upper back benches. Robinson has had to make an abrupt exit from politics recently, but there are quite a number of Ottawa pols eager to take his place in somebody else's spotlight.

The Bush planners must have figured: Why give these jerks a chance? Instead, the President will do a joint press conference with Prime Minister Paul Martin after a working lunch; deliver a toast at a gala dinner at the Museum of Civilization; and then give the major speech of his visit in Halifax.

I strongly suspect Bush's Halifax address will make a strong impression on Canadians. The President's pollsters consistently report that audiences like George Bush better the longer he speaks: He does better in a 60-second spot than in an 8-second clip, better still in a 10-minute appearance than in a 60-second spot, best of all when he is able to claim 20 or 40 minutes of airtime for a formal address.

His words in Halifax will be widely broadcast and closely heard — and I think they will surprise many Canadians.

-snip-

(Excerpt) Read more at aei.org ...


TOPICS: Canada; Editorial; Extended News; Foreign Affairs
KEYWORDS: bush43; canada; davidfrum
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1 posted on 11/30/2004 10:30:25 AM PST by quidnunc
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To: quidnunc
When Ronald Reagan spoke to Parliament in 1987, he was interrupted by heckling from the NDP benches led by Svend Robinson.

This is the gay activist who sponsored the legislation banning free speech rights of those who wish to say anything remotely negative about homosexuality.

2 posted on 11/30/2004 10:32:48 AM PST by Unam Sanctam
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To: quidnunc
Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst.

Remember...some Canadians want to arrest Bush as a "war criminal."

I have not yet been approved for travel by my surgeons, but I won't let that keep me from storming Vancouver if they try any monkey business. ;o)

3 posted on 11/30/2004 10:35:20 AM PST by Prime Choice (I like Democrats, too. Let's exchange recipes.)
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To: Unam Sanctam

Not only is he gay, but I heard he was arrested last year for stealing jewelry.


4 posted on 11/30/2004 10:37:48 AM PST by West Coast Conservative
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To: quidnunc

What does that line about Robinson having to make an abrupt exit from politics recently refer to? I should know this, but I don't.


5 posted on 11/30/2004 10:37:53 AM PST by Dan Middleton (To the everlasting glory of the infantry shines the name of Roger Young!)
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To: Prime Choice
I have not yet been approved for travel by my surgeons, but I won't let that keep me from storming Vancouver if they try any monkey business.

After that nonsense (and potentially very dangerous) situation in Chile, I suspect the Secret Service is more alert than ever for any such monkey business. If they tried to arrest the President, the Canadians would face a small, but very real Secret Service army coming to return the favor and rescue their Boss.

6 posted on 11/30/2004 10:40:17 AM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: Wolfstar
I suspect the Secret Service is more alert than ever for any such monkey business...

Good point and well-taken.

One question: can I still storm Vancouver? If not, how about Quebec? I hear that one's full of Frenchies. Fighting should be over by noon or so...if we start at 11 AM.

7 posted on 11/30/2004 10:41:58 AM PST by Prime Choice (I like Democrats, too. Let's exchange recipes.)
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To: Dan Middleton

As mentioned in 4, it refers to his being caught shoplifting jewelry.


8 posted on 11/30/2004 10:42:47 AM PST by Unam Sanctam
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To: quidnunc
Some Americans may get a warm feeling when its mentioned that Canada was involved in the 1991 Gulf War and the war in Afghanistan. But sitting back and not taking part in the war in Iraq is frankly an inadequate effort in the overall response to international terrorism and the War on Terror.

Canada has taken the same position as their Euro friends have taken. They all hate President Bush. True allies and friends don't say screw America. Paybacks are hell.

9 posted on 11/30/2004 10:43:48 AM PST by Reagan Man ("America has spoken")
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To: Unam Sanctam
"As mentioned in 4, it refers to his being caught shoplifting jewelry."

Oh, I see. Sorry, that got posted while I was typing.

10 posted on 11/30/2004 10:44:47 AM PST by Dan Middleton (To the everlasting glory of the infantry shines the name of Roger Young!)
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To: Unam Sanctam

Svend was also arested for shiplifting a diamond ring worth 5 figures for his gay lover.


11 posted on 11/30/2004 10:56:04 AM PST by doc30 (Democrats are to morals what and Etch-A-Sketch is to Art.)
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To: Prime Choice

LOL! Storm any part of Canada you'd like. I'll join you, especially if they try to lay hands on my beloved Dubya.


12 posted on 11/30/2004 11:04:01 AM PST by Wolfstar (Counting down the days to when the new White House puppy arrives.)
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To: Reagan Man

"They all hate President Bush"

who are "They"?????

"True allies and friends don't say screw America"

Well, we do see on FR here about screw canada too.


13 posted on 11/30/2004 11:07:27 AM PST by -=[_Super_Secret_Agent_]=-
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To: Dan Middleton

"Svend" ....

He tried to shoplift an expensive engagement ring for his Cuban lover; it was caught on closed-circuit TV; and he voluntarily confessed to police a few days later.

Later, at a bizarre news conference, he claimed he was still under severe stress from an accident five years ago - when he went hiking alone and fell off a cliff - with the show culminating in him and his lover hugging and bawling their eyes out in front of the cameras. It was truly hilarious.

Sadly, the shop owner declined to press charges, and Svend was given a discharge - meaning no criminal record - so he can run for Parliament again (and has said he wants to).


14 posted on 11/30/2004 11:07:37 AM PST by canuck_conservative
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To: Reagan Man

I see you have all of Reagan's statesmanship.

Yeah Svend stole a $68,000 ring. So what, he's an MP, so we decided to hold him to a lower standard. I think he got some community service hours.

Ah, the rule of law.


15 posted on 11/30/2004 11:10:37 AM PST by Canuckistan
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To: Unam Sanctam
When Ronald Reagan spoke to Parliament in 1987, he was interrupted by heckling from the NDP benches led by Svend Robinson.

President Reagan, upon hearing the hecklers, smiled and asked, "is there an echo in this chamber" - and diffused the interruption immediately!

President Bush could have said something to the effect, "I see that old echo remains"!

I am confident the President will do just fine -- otherwise, I regret to say, most of the Canadians can go to hell!

16 posted on 11/30/2004 11:34:16 AM PST by RAY (They that do right are all heroes!)
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To: quidnunc

I am to the right of W. I wish he were more conservative on social and financial issues. But still, given the current landscape, I gotta say I really LOVE W and thank God we are not hearing "President-elect Kerry" 10 times a day. Can you imagine??!! Thanks to God!


17 posted on 11/30/2004 11:48:50 AM PST by guitarist (commonsense)
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To: quidnunc
Wow. They have a museum for all of civilization and they put it in Canada?
18 posted on 11/30/2004 11:54:19 AM PST by CaptRon (Pedecaris alive or Raisuli dead)
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To: Wolfstar

"If they tried to arrest the President, the Canadians would face a small, but very real Secret Service army coming to return the favor and rescue their Boss."


I had a short glimpse of the Secret Service in action once, these are dangerous men!! Those who guard the President are the most dangerous of all, they are not the sort to trifle with.


19 posted on 11/30/2004 2:20:22 PM PST by RipSawyer ("Embed" Michael Moore with the 82nd airborne.)
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To: West Coast Conservative
Yes, but it was fabulous jewelry...
20 posted on 11/30/2004 2:23:24 PM PST by Pharmboy (Listen...you can still hear the old media sobbing.)
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