It's stuff like this that makes you realize that Bush faces stiff opposition not only from Dems, Europe, etc but from his State departement and some fellow GOPers. Bush should completely clean house at State once this is through.

He could get Hagel a brain transplant while he's at it.

Hagel can in no way be considered stiff opposition. Nobody takes him seriously. Not even in Nebraska, but he actually thinks he has a shot at the presidency. What a joke.

Playing to the 30% of the electorate that's hard-core Democratic is a mug's game. I'd offer more thoughts and advice, but as Napoleon once said "Never interrupt your opponent when he's making a mistake."

God help us. I live in Omaha and I am a lifelong Republican. I cannot vote for Hagel ever again. That does not mean I will vote for Democrats, for God's sake I'm not an idiot, but I will vote against Hagel in the primaries and vote for ABCD (Anybody But Chuck and a Democrat).

Pchuck -

I live in MA so I'm stuck with 2 Senators I can't stand (Kennedy and Kerry) but since they are Dems I don't feel responsible for them.

Let's hope that the GOP has a bigger majority when Hagel is up for reelection so he can be replaced. However, given the cozy club nature of the Senate (see GOP siding with Spector over Toomey in PA) I'm not counting on it.

The National Council of International Visitors?



Somebody tell me I'm not paying for this

organization, please.

Harry - The program promotes the tourist industry. It only costs you $1 of taxes to get these visitors to spend an extra $0.50 in the U.S.

For more than 60 years, the International Visitor Program has brought foreign leaders and specialists to the United States for firsthand exposure to their professional counterparts and U.S. society. It is described by U.S. Ambassadors as one of the most effective foreign policy tools of American diplomacy.

The sad thing is that the last sentance pj quotes is probably right.