Our Brave President

I'm assuming most of you have heard of the speech Vice President Cheney gave in New Mexico at which all attendees were required to sign a pledge to vote for President Bush? Well it turns out that story might be more representative than I originally thought.

Around the country, Bush is campaigning at events billed as "Ask President Bush." Only supporters are allowed entrance. Talking points are distributed to questioners. In Traverse City, Mich., a 55-year-old social studies teacher who wore a small Kerry sticker on her blouse had her ticket torn up at the door. "How can anyone in the United States deny someone entry?" she asked. "Isn't this a democracy?"

At every "Ask President Bush" rally, Bush repeats the same speech, touting a "vibrant economy" and his leadership in a war where "you cannot show weakness."

So says Sidney Blumenthal of President Bush's campaign.

Not a very encouraging picture. Isn't a campaign about convincing people that you have the right vision to lead America forward? How can you convince people if you only allow people who already agree with you to attend? I suppose it does play better on TV if everybody agrees with everything you say. And I'll bet it makes President Bush feel good to see how many people agree with him.

For the record, Senator Kerry isn't using the same sort of ideological litmus test on his visitors; seems like he can handle a few questions from people that don't agree with him.