COULDN'T SOMEONE HAVE TALKED HER OUT OF TRYING ON THAT BA'ATHING SUIT?:

Syrians bolstered by 'good American' Pelosi (Betsy Pisik, 5/02/07, THE WASHINGTON TIMES)

The second most popular politician in Syria these days may be an American: House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. [...]

Mrs. Pelosi's two-day visit to Damascus was a major news event here. Camera crews trailed her as she bought sweets in the ancient Hamadieh souk, made the sign of the cross at what is thought to be the tomb of John the Baptist and donned a black abaya to visit the historic Omayyad Mosque.

Mrs. Pelosi, 67, is praised as "a friend of Syria," and that makes her more influential than Oprah Winfrey and more appealing than the old Hollywood movies shown on satellite television.

Many Damascus residents say her private visit with Mr. Assad and senior ministers shattered Washington's attempt to isolate the regime.

"She was enormously popular here, a hero," said one such resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. "This is the best thing that has happened here, if it proves [Mr. Assad] was right not to give concessions." [...]

More than burnishing the regime's image in Syria, Mrs. Pelosi is seen as the well-dressed woman who stood up to President Bush, possibly the most unpopular figure in the Arab world after former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

With the Ba'athist dictator and against the Americans and Jews, just where you want your party leader, eh?

Posted by Orrin Judd at May 2, 2007 8:11 PM