he also got a call from White House spokeswoman Dana Perino, who told him that the president of the United States had read the story and was not amused

Holy shit! Once its been "noted in the building" a media whore's career is OVER!

I criticize the president all the time in Salon, and Dana Perino NEVER calls me!

Well... maybe they're still kind of pissed off about the Statesman editorial that said Karl Rove was relocating to Ingram, TX because he wouldn't be made welcome in liberal Austin.

They have nothing to complain about. The Statesman has been a loyal Bush fluff factory since he was governor, endorsing him twice for President and even giving Marvin Olasky a semi-regular spot on its editorial pages for his bloviations about "compassionate conservatism" and other Christianist fictions (His piece on "a la carte Christianity" is a classic of unintentional ironic humor.) Olasky, sadly, is gone, and Bush, sadly, remains.

I'll be listening and reading to all your personal communications from now on. Aren't you aware that a spineless Congress has just granted me carte blanch?

GWB - Your Humble Dictator

Perino seems to have just made the columinist point with Bush's low approval ratings, superficial concerns about the impression one gives through ones wardrobe choices reign supreme. How low has the President's ability sunk to do anything of import that silly filler pieces on Presidential attire now warrent a call from a Whitehouse spokesperson?

And Barack Obama makes 'em swoon when he puts on his Elvis costume. Have you ever seen Dennis Kucinich dressed up like Superman?

Have you ever seen a Republican candidate dressed up in drag?

The only reason no one's seen a Republican member of Congress in drag (and probably wearing a ball gag and leather bustier with nipple clips underneath the frock) is because nobody's looked in the right place at the right time.

Yet.

...a construction worker, Gonzales in leather, Snow like an Indian...

and this "War Room" bit is a non-story. They all dress pretty much like that down here, and "ranchers," even rich ones and even those who can't sit a horse, like to play cowboy on occasion -- only from the ground.

This is a lightweight story about a lightweight story about a guy who has always been a lightweight commenting on his own lightweight-ness.

So, the president gets trashed all the time. He thinks people hate him, but he doesn't care. The lord is on his side. He thinks the polls are against him, but he doesn't pay attention to them. If you don't read them, they don't exist. He knows most of the world views him as an ass, and it doesn't keep him from sleeping at night.

But...just pen a few words about his cowboy duds and watch the cow pies hit the fan!!!!

We've known for some time that Dubya likes books such as "The Hungry Hungry Caterpillar" and "My Pet Goat"; now we know he'll also read stories about his personal behavior that aren't terribly complimentary.

Here's the lesson to take away from this incident: Any REALLY important report that the Current Occupant ought to read -- let's say something about terrorism, global warming, etc. -- needs to be sandwiched between the pages of a low-level children's book, or an article that gently mocks our fearless leader in some way.

Too bad it took over six years in office to realize what it takes to get his undivided attention!

i think that's the most natural attire for criminals, after they retire or are forced into retirement. maybe they could have their own line of special font inmate numbers or something. he should live up his looks now, cause he wont have much of a chance in the big house.

My suspension of disbelief was stretched too far by the time I got to "[Bush] had read the story."

HAA!! What a BABY! Has to have his schill call to voice his displeasure.

Guess what George - if the shoe fits, can't - uh - fool me... (what's the rest of that?)

I never bought into the portrayal of Bush as the alpha male, comfortable in his own skin and unfazed by polls, etc. To me he has always seemed like a deeply insecure person trying to appear secure and overcompensating in the process. That he would feel the need to respond to such an insignificant story only strengthens my belief. A truly secure person (say, Bill Clinton) would not even take a moments notice of such things.

Oh, and Dana please don't call before 9:00 a.m.

Dana felt it needed to be pointed out that George Bush is the President of the United States. Understand? Not just THE PRESIDENT, mind you. He's the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. In case you forgot, that's the country you live in, the United States. And George Bush is the President of it. Remember that. The United States has an unamused President. We don't mock the President of the United States for dressing in a Halloween costume everytime he goes on vacation, because he's the President of the United States. Not Mexico. Not Canada. Not any other country! The United States President!

lawlessness, bad decisions, stupid opinions, negligent party, criminal consultants, enabling and libertine family, but DO NOT pick on my 'all hat, no cattle' attire.

What is his secret ambition? To look right when he meets the gipper in heaven? Far be it from me to judge where he is headed after he dies, but I do not think he is going to the same place the great Reagan went.

So, of course, he dresses as Walker Texas Ranger in Crawford, you fool! And, his middle name is... Walker!

G.W. Bush actually is the original, true model upon whom Walker Texas Ranger was based. That is what he really was doing during the time he was AWOL from the Air Force.

Didn't you realize that? He's just too modest and too patriotic to admit it in public. What a guy!

[I do not know why this story strikes me nearly dead with laughter. I apologize for hogging three posts, but I hope you are smiling about this. Please go out and have a marvellous weekend.]