Cindy v. W

When Al Gore lost, the commonly-heard observation held that the man did not seem comfortable in his own skin -- as though this alleged failing justified giving the presidency to a dunce.

But has Bush ever looked comfortable to you, especially in recent times? In every public appearance, he seems to be searching his flesh for the zipper.

In a way, the entire stand-off with Cindy Sheehan stems from the man's inability to act like a normal human being. He met with her once, and treated the mournful occasion like a happy confab with some visiting girl scouts. Why won't he meet with her now? Because he lacks the "people skills" to deal with the confrontation; obviously, his handlers fear he will, under pressure, do or say something impossibly dorky. Or worse than dorky. Clinton would have known how to handle a touchy meeting with a Cindy Sheehan.

This current controversy reminds me of the bulge debate. The prez is so lacking in either human empathy or communication skills -- or both -- that he simply does not know what to say.

Jeff Gannon has implied that Cindy is being misled by bolshies. Well, he should know something about free enterprise.