Bush Behind Bars

Only here in today's America does this merit a headline:

Aiming to Burst 'Bubble' Theory--President Takes Impromptu Questions in Kansas

MANHATTAN, Kan., Jan. 23 -- The presidency may be a bully pulpit, but President Bush used it on Monday more like a campfire leader than a political preacher.

As if to rebut charges that he lives in a White House bubble that leaves him exposed only to handpicked audiences, Bush spent most of an hour-and-40-minute session here chatting with questioners pulled from the seats of the Kansas State University arena. Before a crowd of 9,000 students, faculty members, supporters and soldiers, Bush alternated between serious oration about terrorism and lighthearted banter about his family and dog.

[snip]

Here in Kansas, it was a friendly crowd gathered in a solidly red state. White House officials said the university was in charge of attendance, but that they did give some tickets to local Republicans to hand out to GOP supporters. About 100 people protested the Iraq war in 34-degree weather outside the arena, but on his drive into the university Bush was treated to the sight of hundreds of well-wishers waving from front yards.

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