[CasearianDaoist]

Here for once I disagree with you. The actual statement were pretty mild. Anyone who respects the Pope will read the actual statements, those who wish to denounce the President will do so no matter what transpired. I think that he actually has deflated dome issues. Like leftist anywhere, the propaganda of Europe's Socialists will sound shrill when confronted with reality. I think that this was a good move in the long run. If he had not gone in there would have been just as much criticism. The left need to confronts Bush directly. We will never get a fair shake out of the media. The bbroad mass of Europeans need to see that actual person that is GWB and see that he does not breath fire and sprout horns.

I would also remind you that Bush is a Christian. It may be somewhat jaded on your part to imagine that this mission was about PR.

[oceanview]

I am really focused on the WH political team failing, as they always to, to anticipate the spin coming from this. The sheeple are being saturated with this - I drive home listening to a Jazz music FM station, and the news clip at the top of the hour talks about the Pope slamming Bush. And the newsradio stations are even worse.

This is why Bush is not doing well in the polls - they have to break the cycle of day after day attacks on him from every angle, the sheeple are being saturated with this. He should have done a quick photo op with the pope, tossed that medal his way, and been done with it. If they couldn't make an arrangement with the Vatican to not release this propaganda as part of this meeting - then just meet with Berlusconi.