Then and Now

[widebody911]

Pravda, January 17, 1985:

"Behind closed doors, Chernenko gave a 35-minute version of his stump speech covering Afghanistan, the economy and energy policy. When he finished, the participants filed past a bank of microphones to announce that they were unified in support of Chernenko and that there had been no dissent expressed at the meeting. Chernenko took no questions.

"The General Secretary was great," said Politburo member Vladimir Byetzpassportnikii. "We saw the determination and spirit of a great leader," said Politburo member Vladimir Ilyich. "There were several standing ovations," reported Politburo member Lavrentii Beria.

Ilyich called yesterday's session a "good team meeting" with no dissent "that I heard." But asked whether Chernenko allowed questions, Ilyich replied: "I don't care to answer that question."

Chernenko had nothing to say in public about the difficulties facing his administration. Chernenko left about 15 minutes to shake hands with his listeners. Though the Kremlin press secretary described the session as a pre-recess briefing on "a number of important priorities that we're pursuing," the lawmakers acknowledged it was more about morale.

NOW:

Washington Post, May 21, 2004:

"Behind closed doors, Bush gave a 35-minute version of his stump speech covering Iraq, the economy and energy policy. When he finished, the participants filed past a bank of microphones to announce that they were unified in support of Bush and that there had been no dissent expressed at the meeting. Bush took no questions.

"The president was great," said Sen. Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.). "We saw the determination and spirit of a great leader," said Sen. Rick Santorum (Pa.). "There were several standing ovations," reported Sen. George Allen (Va.)...

Allen, for example, called yesterday's session a "good team meeting" with no dissent "that I heard." But asked whether Bush allowed questions, Allen replied: "I don't care to answer that question."...

Bush had nothing to say in public about the difficulties facing his administration...

Bush left about 15 minutes to shake hands with his listeners. Though the White House press secretary described the session as a pre-recess briefing on "a number of important priorities that we're pursuing," the lawmakers acknowledged it was more about morale.

[techweenie]

Thom, you must hate America!

(I just thought I'd beat the knee-jerk Bushies to it.)

[tabs]

Problem is Kerry not only isn't going to be better..but he's going to be worse...Mr. Flip Flop, give America away, UN loving, Liberal that he is...

Or in other words he's got the French vote....