Sunday, December 17, 2000 -- NEW YORK/WASHINGTON (AmpolNS) -- If you have any illusions that life under the Shrub Regime will be politics as usual, read on.

A very telling incident occurred on this morning's edition of Meet the Press that says more about the political climate in America than the last full year of spin.

But first, this run-down of the Sunday spin cycle...

FAUX News Sunday
Card plays his cards close to his chest

The good news, said Tony Snow, is that "George Bush won" (yeah, right).  The bad news -- well, Tony didn't quite say it, but Little George has no mandate, and that's his REAL problem.

Following a puff piece on ex-General Colin Powell, the man tapped by Dick Cheney and Andy Card to mess up our relations with other countries, Tony welcomed Little George's "left brain," Andy Card.  Tony's first topic -- faithless electors!  Will there be any?  Card said he had a team intimidating -- er, ehcuse our spin, calling electors, and said that he'd heard "ugly stories" -- a lie.  He's implying thuggery, but the real ugliness is that some apparently DO want to jump ship.

We've heard reports that Cheney himself has been making calls.

Fred "The Weasel" Barnes, obsessed by tax cuts the way a junkie craves that next fix, seemed huffy that Hastert wanted incremental tax cuts.  Card lied, saying our robust economy was "fragile," and half-heartedly endorsed tax cuts in a way that said "you might see some."

Tony then brought up Democrat Sen. Breaux's half-hearted prescription drug bill, saying that it might make sense to "dust it off" and send it to Little George.  Card sort of deflected, talking about (fake) "unity."  Fred asked something about Sen. John McCain (R-big book deal), implying that there was still disunity in the GOP.  Tony mentioned that Little George "instantly posted" contributions to the Internet (but didn't say that they were posted in such a way as to be impossible to search and sort through), then asked Card if that would be a reform.  Card gave a non-answer.  Tony brought up election reform, and Card talked about Little George as if he won the popular vote -- another non-answer.  Then Fred said that Jackson wants to work with Little George -- why would Little George want to work with such a nasty, critical guy?  All Card said is that Little George would work with various black leaders (hilarious -- who, Farrakhan?  Ward Connerly?).  Tony continued to discuss reaching out to blacks -- and pointed out that Little George did worse than almost all other GOPers this century.  All Card could do was whine about "nasty ads" -- which were completely accurate.

What the heck do you expect, Card?  Little George executes mostly black criminals -- so is it any surprise that blacks envision George in a white sheet and hood?

Fred brought up some differences between George and Tom DeLay (R-Thug).  Card said Dems were the bigger dividers.  Tony asked about putting "pro-life justices."  Card said Little George would nominate "strict constructionists" -- code words for segregation, states' rights, less freedom, "more equal protection" for megacorporations in the form of banning lawsuits and regulations, and an end to reproductive rights.  Card said the abortion issue would not be a "litmus test."  Of course not -- strict constructionism is the litmus test, and that means a restoration of back-alley abortions.

Card looked and sounded uncomfortable on FNS.  Even the broad-ranging softball questions put him on the defensive.

Next up -- Sen. Don Nickles (R-Evangelo-moron) and John Kerry (D-MA).  Tony talked about the concept of turning school money directly over to parents in failed school districts, a moronic idea that Kerry opposes.  Again Breaux, the latest GOP-promoted "poster child" for bipartisanship, was a topic of conversation.  Kerry said that he has proposed reforms in educational accountability that free up local districts to implement reform -- but going down the road to alternative privatization does not help schools.  The though-challenged Nickles disagreed, naturally, talking about all that awful division under Clinton as he supported turning power over to inexperienced morons at the local level.

Juan Williams talked about hard-righters bristling over the name of New Jersey Governor Whitman's name coming up as a possible Cheney-Card Administration appointee.  Nickles gave a meaningless answer.  Juan brought up Treasury and Greenspan.  Kerry said that he's confident that the GOP will come up with a strong name, and he's ready to work with them -- but there has been a big change in the Senate now that it's 50-50.  Cheney "can shove it down our throat... but that's not bipartisanship."  Tony said that Kerry is looking for closer committee parity.  Kerry said yes, 50-50, but he has no problem with GOP chairs, and they will do far better with a true bipartisan consensus.  Nickles, naturally, is so myopic that he wants a one-vote margin on committees.  Kerry: "Only by fuzzy math can you take 50-50 and make it 51-49."  Nickles was on the defensive -- and started talking nicey-nicey about cooperation and agenda-setting.

A little later, Kerry slammed the personal and UN-collegiate nature of today's Senate, and that the GOP needs to reach out; he again said "It is 50-50, not 51-49."

Then Tony brought up the PHONY Clinton book deal "scandal."  Nickles, to our surprise, called it much ado about nothing!

Tony then welcomed J.C. Watts and Harold Ford to talk race relations.  Tony tried to make much of Jesse Jackson saying that if Shrub wins, he'll do so by Nazi tactics -- unfortunately, Tony's dismissive question only underlined the sentiment that that is exactly what happened.  Ford was eloquent in his critique of Andy Card and Little George, pointing out that Gore got more votes than Little George, and that blacks have huge concerns.  Watts lamented Little George getting less votes than Dole, Reagan, or his Dubya's dad.  Watts called the election a "statistical dead heat in the popular vote" in Florida -- an outright lie, as Gore won once you count suppressed votes.  What's going on there -- suddenly the GOP sounds like they want a national recount.  Ford emphasized that Little George "LOST the popular vote" despite the "statistical dead heat" in Florida.  Ford wants more than just "assigning African- Americans to his cabinet... that will not suffice."  Tony asked which is a bigger problem -- defective voting machines or failed education -- as if only one or the other should be solved.  Not wise, Tony!  Watts said voting problems have nothing to do with kids ill-served by the education or tax relief.

Good grief -- what a fool.  before taxes are cut, J.C, don't you think it wise to pay off the national debt, fix our public school system, and enact ballot reform?

Watts talked about campaign finance reform, calling public financing a bad idea -- about the one area where our editors agree with Watts (and an area in which we probably are out of sync with many of our readers).

Is there a possibility for both sides to get along?  Ford hoped so -- but then turned back to campaign finance reform.

The panel focused on appointments to the Cheney-Card cabinet.  Fred thinks the HHS chief will be pro-choice, and Juan said the big fight will be over the Attorney General -- will the GOP go after Clinton after he's out of office?  Fred thinks it will be Gov. Mark Racicot (R-Militia).  Ceci Connelly said that there would likely be a Democrat losing their seat to redistricting in the Cabinet -- and that she was surprised to hear Nickles talking in such conciliatory terms about the committee issues.  Juan called the Little George-Breaux visit a "slap in the face" to Democrats.  Ceci said the story for Little George will be pressure from the right vs. centerist GOPers.

Then Tony turned to the appointment of Terry McAuliffe as chair of the DNC -- therefore, said Tony, we have not seen the last of Clinton.  Ceci said she got more calls from people involved in the fight over the party chairmanship last week than  she had all year.  Fred naturally said that Clinton is still in the fray, and Juan said the knives are out for Al Gore.  Fred inflamed the panel by saying that Gore was trying to rig the system in Florida and stop military votes from being counted -- and Juan asked who was trying to STOP the vote?  Fred, as usual, could not help sounding like a fool.

Tony's final word was a badly calculated commentary about "race-baiting"; he railed against the "James Byrd" ad which, in fact, summed up the sentiments of most blacks in this nation, and also took a swipe at Jesse Jackson, portraying him as a divisive and corrosive force in politics.

His commentary was made before a very telling incident on Meet the Press occurred.  

The McLaugh-In Group!

Issue one: Gore but not forgotten!  "Pope" John McLaugh-In showed a clip of Gore's graceful concession -- that excoriated the Supreme Court.  Michael Barone said he did it gracefully.  Eleanor said that had he said he was "withdrawing," it would have established him as a shadow president.  Tony Blankley blamed Gore for putting America through a "pointless" process.

Clarence Page said Gore's approval is way up.  John called it "excellent television."  John claimed that he said he disagreed with the court to placate his followers.  Barone LIED about the seven justices who he claimed ruled against the hand count. Page said that the court running out the clock on a technicality made Little George "President- select."  Eleanor slammed a states-rights court cynically using federal ruling.  Tony, ironically, was right when he said that court made a "practical" decision.  Barone whined about the Florida Supreme Court "judicial activists."  Hey, Barone -- what about Scalia and Thomas.

Then John played the end of Gore's address.  Barone said it was crushing but Gore did a great job.  Eleanor said that by taking the high road, Gore came out a winner.  A yelling match ensued over the Florida mess and who really won, and once it settled down, Page pointed out that a lot of people left the booths in Florida to find their vote had not been recorded.  Barone repeated last week's spin about chads and invalid votes.

After another clip, John said that Gore was "dead meat" in 2004; Tony lied about Gore not representing any faction in the Democratic party, but Eleanor was right in saying "wait and see how Little George does.

Give Gore a grade for statesmanship and sincerity

Barone: B+/A-, I don't know (that means A)
Clift: A+/A+
Blankley: A-/B+
Page: Did a great job
John: A+/B- because he blamed God

Issue two is Little George targeting Daschle or DeLay?  Page said that there is a big mandate question, and McLaugh-In asked how far Little George has to go to disaffect his base.  McLaugh-In was on a tear about Little George cutting and running from his supporters, and Tony -- hinting at his opinion of The Shrub -- said that he's repeating mistakes "his daddy made."

"His daddy made!"  Hahahaha -- talk about belittling Little George.

John then quoted Jesse Jackson's "ominous" words about delegitimizing Little George -- then reported that Jesse called Shrub.  Should Shrub have accepted the call?  There was some blather, the John bellowed "Why did Little George do so poorly with blacks?"

An interesting side-note -- the audio engineers have set up their mixing system so that whenever John talks, everyone else's volume drops precipitously.  This is not because John is louder (he is) -- this is technogimmickry that keeps The Bellowing One the "alpha neocon" of the show.  Not even Eleanor Clift -- who does not exactly have the softest voice in pundit-dom -- can drown out John when they all start screaming.

John turned to foreign policy challenges as he talked about Putin visiting Cuba and talking nuclear power, the "threat" of China, military morale at an all-time low, an EU army, and crashing Ospreys.  Is Little George up to the challenges?  Eleanor said this is business as usual -- these are problems you manage, not solve.  She also said that Cheney, Powell, and Daddy Bush are up to the challenge.  Talk about a put-down!

Final silly prediction: What will Little George’s approval rating be on the 4th of July?
Michael Barone: 55%
Eleanor Clift: Just under 50%
Tony Blankley: 53%
Clarence Page: 50%
John McLaughlin: 52%

Face the Nation
The Dick Cheney Show

Bob Schieffer's first question to guest Dick Cheney was actually an explicit put-down of Little George: that he'd have a real job with real authority.  Cheney, attempting to disarm the issue that he's not really from Wyoming, said Little George did not pick him to "carry Wyoming."  He said that Little George promised him a very significant role.

Let me guess -- baby-sitter for Little George.

Cheney said that he'd been castigated for being a conservative, then said that Little George had run on a specific agenda.  Yeah, right, puffed-up generalities with NO specifics.  Schieffer said that Sen. Ton Daschle had said that the Little George tax cut and that it would serve to divide, not unite.  Cheney laughed derisively as he talked about smoke screens -- this from one of the men behind the Iran-Contra smokescreen.  He gushed about tax cuts here, tax cuts there, and tax reform.  Schieffer inferred that Cheney sounded like he was pushing massive tax cuts over an incremental approach.

Gloria Borger said that Dems say that the Little George team has no mandate and cannot go forward with massive tax cuts and that Dems and GOPers will have to write legislation together.  Cheney said it's not true, and Borger interjected that Cheney must mean no to the "no mandate" message.  Cheney talked about the close margin, but as of Little George had had a decisive victory. 

Talk turned to reproductive rights.  Cheney insisted that the campaign was pro-life but there's "no litmus test" for the head of HHS -- but that sounded like a lie.

Cheney said that there will be interest in both campaign finance and ballot reform following the Florida fiasco.  He said he looked forward to "acceptable" legislation -- no doubt legislation that will still leave enough loopholes to suppress the vote of those troublesome minorities. 

Schieffer brought up the possibility that Dems may have a better idea than the GOP.  Naturally, Cheney mentioned the GOP's bipartisanship "poster boy," John Breaux of Louisiana -- but Breaux is one of the most conservative Democrats in the federal legislatures!  Cheney expects a Democrat in the cabinet. One, asked Borger?  Cheney got cagey, saying at least one.

The second segment began with Schieffer saying to Sen. Harry Reid that Cheney sounds like he's spelled out the administration line.  Reid said that Dems had been unable to do anything for the last four years, and now the new administration sounds intransigent.  Reid wants tax reform, including aid for parents putting kids through college.  What about McCain's campaign finance reform?  Reid says the Senate has sixty votes -- the question is, do they have enough to override a Little George veto?

Professor Stephen Carter was asked about The lack of mandate for the incoming administration -- how can he push his programs?  Carter said that the problems before the recounts are still here today, and the issue is how well the incoming cadre can argue heir vision.  Tom Friedman of the New York Times said that Powell towered over Little George -- in stature, in command and grasp of the issues.  "He gave a masterful performance" -- but he'd better be right on the issues.  Bob gushed about Powell's commanding presence.  Friedman also pointed out that Bush Daddy had to manage the strength of Russia, China and Japan, and Little George is stuck dealing with the WEAKNESS of Russia, China and Japan.

What he should have added: "...because under William Jefferson Clinton, the stature, strength and influence of America grew exponentially."

Carter said that overweening materialism and the "consumption of government" resonates with Americans and the Cheney-Card Administration must articulate something beyond entitlements -- but then said that there's the perception that black Americans feel pain over the issue of disenfranchisement.

Schieffer's final word had to do with Little George's campaign keeping him out of the public eye -- and winning South Carolina "in a dirty fight" which forced The Shrub to reposition himself as a centerist.  He will, Schieffer predicted, have to continue to work toward being seen as a centerist.

But Schieffer neglected to point out that this is impossible -- the shots are being called by two hard-right conservatives, Dick Cheney and Andy Card.  Little George is their meat puppet, but everybody who matters knows who is pulling the strings.

Meet the Whores!
Starring Tim Russert, stealth "Cabinet" member!

Tim Russert's first guest was none other than de facto Vice-Vice President Andy Card -- what a card!!!!

Russert asked Card whether Little George was "awarded" the presidency by the Supreme Court -- and how he will be able to govern. Card seems like a cool guy - not too smart, but likeable, a "real card!"

Then Russert asked why only eight of blacks voted for Little George -- a question that seemed to be asked on every pundit show this weekend. Card, like an idiot -- and like all the other Little George apologists making the rounds this weekend -- blamed the ad which the NAACP ran about the chain-dragging death of James Byrd in Texas. Little George, said Card, will reach out, and reach out on everything said card.

Then Card practically recited the Democratic year 2000 platform! Campaign finance reform: YES. McCain's version: MAYBE. But reading between the lines, Card was saying unions have to go.

Card said that "we are concerned about our economy." Well, of course! Regardless of what they say on the Sunday shows, Wall Street is petrified of the Shrub!

Russert then talked about his newest pet "hot button" topic: the "indictment of President Clinton," and -- we were laughing out loud at this -- whether Dubya would pardon him. Can you believe it? Russert is STILL after Clinton! Card said there are "a lot of ifs" there.

We say that CLINTON should pardon Little George for any covered-up felonies he may have committed while a member of the Texas Air National Guard, while supposedly working in Birmingham, Alabama as a campaign staffer for a failed Senate candidate, and while on "northern exile" in Alaska -- and then call for an investigation of the covering up of Little George's past.

Reverend Jesse Jackson was Russert's next guest, in what would be the single most telling segment of the entire 2000 election cycle.

But it had nothing to do with the actual topics discussed or the words said.

First, Russert attacked Rev. Jackson because he said the vote was stolen, taken, and succubized by the Supreme Court. Russert then argued about whether there was voter fraud in Florida.

Of course there was, Tim, you moron. Our own Mac MacArthur witnessed it -- but Russert just kept arguing FOR FLORIDA! There were police at the polls -- old, non-working equipment, machines stuffed so full of chads that the ballots could not be punched.

Jackson said that "Bush will be the President" -- but the issues of legitimacy will remain. What if it comes out that there was fraud AND that Gore got the votes? Yet Russert CONTINUED to defend Little George!

Russert is so partisan that he actually said it is okay that all 67 counties had different standards on the first counts but it was not okay to have different standards on the later counts. Well, then, Tim, how do you assign anything resembling similar standards to paper and punch ballots? You can't.

Russert showed a clip of Justice Clarence Thomas lying to school children, claiming that the court never discusses politics! Jackson said "No one believes that" and raised the question of obvious vote fraud meaning anything to Thomas.

Then Russert showed the comments of more liberal judges defending this scam. Jackson disputed them -- and he is correct. This was a travesty.

Jackson then attacked Colin Powell, who would never have been promoted unless there had been bolstered affirmative action under Jimmy Carter, to whom Powell and Condoleeza Rice owe their careers.

Suddenly, there was a very loud, explosive sound on the set. It sounded to us like a gun shot. Rev. Jackson feinted left, ducked, and winced. It turned out to be an exploding spotlight above the set.

But those few seconds showed in startling and painful relief the caustic environment in this nation and the fear that outspoken advocates for the disenfranchised like Rev. Jackson live under every minute of every day -- merely for daring to speak the truth.

If there is one moment on Meet the Press that more vividly defines the state of not only politics but the resistance to change in our society, then this was it. We doubt Russert will rerun it in the future as a Meet the Press Moment, but it was the most important of the year.

Russert then tried to play Jackson against Senate Soon-to-Be-Majority-Leader (when Strom or Jesse croaks) Dick Gephardt. Russert kept asking whether Little George is a legitimate president. Gephardt refused to say he is legitimate -- he said everything else but that! Senate RepubliKlan Leader and stealth segregationist Trent "Extra Starch" Lott was also on -- he called for Democrats to "act like Gore" (ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha). "He said the right thangs!" Russert then put the campaign finance question to Lott. "Well, I think that George W. Bush will like to have his say here, and I would too." What a riot -- having your say is one thing, Helmet Hair, and getting it quite another! Lott talked of Social Security reform (snicker). Lott also reverted to the timeworn GOP tax cut song and dance -- and claimed it might be more than 1.3 trillion!

Russert wanted to know if the Shrub will "stick" with the conservatives or go with the moderates. Lott said -- listen to this -- "I think that INSIDE, George Dubya Bush is a goooood man." We roared with laughter at that one -- you said it first, Trent!

Russert asked Gephardt why Democrats "never" put Blacks and Hispanics in prominent Cabinet positions instead of telling the truth: that this is pure political strategy. Gephardt applauded Shrub.

Russert, looking as ever to attack the First Family, then asked about Hillary's $8 million advance on her forthcoming memoirs. Russert looked sheepish as Gephardt said that Hillary will give lots of it to charity as she has done before -- something the Hillary-bashers seem to want to neglect, along with the fact that she already has a track record as a best-selling author.

Gephardt refused to say he will not run in 2004.

To bring the prefect hard-right finish to Meet the Whores, Tim welcomed Time Magazine high exalted poobah Walter Isaacson to announce that Little George is Time's "Person of the Year."

Isaacson neglected to mention the illustrious company the "president-select" joins: Josef Stalin, Adolf Hitler, Ayatollah Khomeini and Dick Nixon.

This Weak
Oh, gosh! We have a president! How exciting! Can we gag yet?

Cokie Roberts sounded excited -- "It's official, George W. Bush is the nation's new president! And he's appointing a new cabinet!

Sam Donaldson: "Will Democrats let bygones be bygones?"  Don't make us laugh, "Scam" -- will you?

Sam said Little George will name "Condo-Loser" Rice today.

Dick Cheney, senior string-puller and sick old man of the new Administration, was up first. There is no mandate, said Cokie. "We also feel very strongly that WE GOT AS FAR AS WE DID" because of Shrub's agenda, said "Big Time" Dick -- and then he recited the Democratic Platform!  What a riot!

Cokie then played a clip of Little George giving his stump speech yet again.

Cheney said he thinks that education is the first legislative proposal Little George will send to Congress.  Ha, ha, ha -- and the first to get shot down.

Cokie wanted to know whether vouchers will go right up there in the plan. Cheney said that federal funds (ha, ha, ha -- only about 5% of school budgets) would go to the parents in failing schools. Well, all the parents of Texas would get that cheap little payoff!  Now America will see what a liar Little George really is -- when they get their voucher checks for $10 a month.

Cheney said that Social Security reforms would take longer, but "we" have to decide how to package the prescription drug program. Cheney talked about an immediate program to help seniors. Then, a later Medicare reform will include a wider program for prescription drugs. We do have well-developed plans on these issues, but it is not "our way or the highway."

Cheney talked about the tax relief plan of the Shrub -- but Little George will have breakfast with Alan Greenspan tomorrow.  We would love to be the fly in The Shrub's eggs for that meal!  Cokie mentioned campaign finance reform and McCain's threat to bring his bill up. Little George will not support it because it is fair to unions. Cheney called that paycheck protection!  What a joke -- paycheck protection for hard-right politicos and Republicans, that's for sure!.

Cheney said he believes that there will be "at least" one Democrat in the Cabinet, but he won't say who and for what. We say watch for HUD or some other agency the GOPers would love to get rid of.

Jerry Falwell has already opened his evil, thieving mouth, saying that Little George better not allow Democrats into the Administration and better not "give up" on abortion.

Cokie wanted to know what Cheney would do in the Middle East. He is "concerned" about putting Jerusalem in the middle of the table and that the whole peace process has collapsed.  Cokie reminds him The Shrub promised that he would put the U.S. Embassy to Israel right in the middle of Jerusalem! Cheney put his foot in his ugly lying mouth -- he backpedaled and hinted "AFTER the peace process is over." What a moron.

Cokie asked, "Are you going to be running this government?" Cheney's telling answer -- well, there are others like Powell, Card, and so on

We loved it! He admits it!  And you thought we were joking when we said the "Cheney-Card Administration."

"Bush is out boss!" Our SPIN-terpretatiuon (with apologies to Tony Snow): "Heil George II -- but we are a team and he is the team Führ... um, leader."

There's no denying it -- these next four years will be fun!

Senator Tom Daschle was up next.  Daschle wants 50-50 representation in all Senate Committees. Lott, segregationist and Neo-Nazi that he is, isn't buying. Daschle talked to Sam and was laying down the lance. "We must have a mutual advantage for the first right of recognition."

Daschle, by the way,  will be the majority leader for the first 17 days of the Senate session. Let's see what we can do.

"Scam" wondered what might happen if the news media in Florida counts the votes in Florida and Gore wins -- does Daschle want it?  "We already know that Gore got the majority of votes in the nation," he said -- as he added that people should know what happened in Florida.

Sam wanted to know who will be the de facto leader of the Democratic Party during the next four years. Daschle will not say if he would back Gore in 2004.

Well, if the choice is between Gephardt and Gore, we are losers. That is for sure.

The "Groundwater" Table was next: George "Staphylococcus" said that the Supreme Court made a political choice as clear as can be -- and they should have given it to the Florida Legislature or the Congress.

Will agreed, but "that is what we get" since Brown vs. Board of Education.  Wow -- so Will has a problem with equality.  No surprise there.

Cokie said -- catch this -- " It was political, but the people think it is okay."

Do you believe it?  She could not be wronger!

That was the long and short of this stupid discussion - except that "Bush has a chance to do okay." -- Geroge Staphylococcus.

The group continued to discuss what Gore should do now.

Will, like Mac MacArthur, feels that Gore should not run again. He would not win.

Staph thinks that Gore has a pretty good claim to the Democratic nomination. This is true -- but he will not be able to beat Little George a second time if Little George is perceived to do a good job -- and his handlers will do everything they can to present that illusion SO HE CAN REALLY SCREW the American public during his second term.

Sam made too big a deal of Terry McAuliffe replacing stupid dweeb Joe Andrew as head of the DNC. Like the rest of the pundit mafia, Sam emphasized that McAuliffe is a Clinton friend -- but they all "forgot" that he is also a GEPHARDT friend!  Did you, the reader, know that?

Sam thinks Hillary will run in 2004. No one else on the panel does.  Nor do we.

But no one knows what shape the nation will be in then. One thing is for sure: the nation will be on its knees in bankruptcy and a continually plunging stock market during Little George's first two years (during which he will attempt to blame Clinton).

And there may well be increasing racial tension -- especially if the Florida vote is counted.

We hope Sam is right. Hillary is the only one who might actually win.

Off the Radar

There was very little discussion of the impact of the Supreme Court decision to essentially throw the election to Little George -- a move that has in and of itself undermined any reputation of disinterest that the Supreme Court might have had, shown that the Federalist-driven "states rights" agenda of the hard-right justices matters not one whit when its use might yield a final vote total in Florida that would award the election to Al Gore, and exposed conflicts of interest on the part of justices Clarence Thomas and Antonin Scalia.

Likewise, there was no discussion of the international reaction to the outcome of the Supreme Court case and Bush's selection as president -- especially in the foreign press, who are now questioning not only Bush's legitimacy but the integrity of America's constitutional process.

A shame the domestic press is just plain scared to ask these hard questions.