] "This brave man came to our country to talk about how
] he's risking his life for a free Iraq, which helps
] America," Bush said at a campaign event in battleground
] Wisconsin. "And Senator Kerry held a press conference and
] questioned Mr. Allawi's credibility. You can't lead this
] country if your ally in Iraq feels like you question his
] credibility."

[ A.) No, he didn't come here for that. He came here to say the things you asked him to, regarding how awesome Iraq is, otherwise, he wouldn't have been invited. B.) Bullshit. Running america does not hinge on wether the Iraqi governor specifically thinks you like him or not. That's asinine. C.) If trying to make a general point about not being able to govern effectively while ignoring or marginalizing your allies, then, yes, good one Mr. Pres., but that's one of the main reasons we don't like you, as it turns out, so, please, meet kettle. D.) Kerry didn't even insult the guy... all he said is that Allawi's painting a picture that doesn't seem consistent with either his previous statements or the reality we're hearing from those news sources still trying to be honest. So, ok, he questioned the guy's credibility... but the guy was making shit up, so isn't that precisely the correct thing to do?

Yet again the Bush camp manages to frame things with negative sounding terminology to cover up the fact that their opponent is correct. Questioning the credibility of someone who is demonstrably not credible is categorically proper behavior. And then Cheney comes out and says Kerry showed a "complete lack of respect" for the guy on the basis of some very benign comments. It's fucking unreal. -k]