[Finny]

I think Bush has a very sophisticated strategy to deny the RATs their customary 90+% of the black vote.

That, and more! There are SO many aspects of this move that are smart:
-- Blacks have to see that Bush MEANS it when he talks about compassion
-- Liberals have had the rug pulled out from under them on two fronts, blacks and AIDS
-- Bush has taken the AIDS issue, removed it from the American Gay agenda, and directed it toward a people worthy of help. Gays would look like chumps to complain.
-- A poster here noted the national security aspects of this, i.e., someone dying of AIDS might feel, why not die as a suicide bomber, I'll die anyway.
-- A poster here also noted that this is a good way to stay on the good side of nations rich in natural resources
-- Someone noted that may provide stimulus to pharmaceutical companies
-- Depending on how it is administrated, this program will help show, once more, the uselessness of the UN.

I thought this was brilliant strategy by Bush. In a perfect world, the government wouldn't tax us to use money for such things, but this is not a perfect world. I think Bush is way ahead of the curve here and dealing with the REAL world.

[yendu bwam]

I thought this was brilliant strategy by Bush. In a perfect world, the government wouldn't tax us to use money for such things, but this is not a perfect world. I think Bush is way ahead of the curve here and dealing with the REAL world.

A good summation, Finny. In principal, this is not a right thing for most conservatives. But it was a brilliant, brilliant political strategy - and one hopes that given that, the money will indeed help those who suffer.

[justshe]

Very good analysis. And I agree.

[VMI70]

If you believe ANY of those things on your punch list are true, then I have some prime grazing land off the east coast of Florida I'd like to sell you.

[NittanyLion]

-- Blacks have to see that Bush MEANS it when he talks about compassion

Blacks will vote for Bush's democrat opponent by a 90-10 percent margin, regardless of what he does. This is because the democrats will always promise the black voting bloc more money than any rebublican.

-- Liberals have had the rug pulled out from under them on two fronts, blacks and AIDS

How so? They'll simply respond by saying Bush should've allocated more money, and under their plan they will.

[kapn kuek]

I thought this was brilliant strategy by Bush. In a perfect world, the government wouldn't tax us to use money for such things

I hope you are right. I am going to do my part to help President Bush by calling my senators and representative and urging them to oppose this waste of 15 billion dollars of taxpayer’s money. I will suggest to them that it could better be used to secure our borders from illegal immigration. Sometimes I think Bush might be a great President like Ronald Reagan, until he pulls a stupid stunt like this.