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Bush spent the last 3 years behind a protective hedge of sycophantic yes-men and a toothless media (4th Estate, my ass). The image-makers behind Bush made him seem strong, decisive, resolute - Prince Hal turned into Henry V. Even the graphic realities of Iraq and joblessness bounced off harmlessly like bullets off Superman (did I mention the toothless media?).
It is hardly a surprise that Americans were shocked when they witnessed John Kerry walk straight through that bubble and punch Bush in the nose. Wasn't this the weak-kneed flip-flopper who couldn't make a decision of which shoe to put on first? Only if you listened to Bush's sycophantic yes-men and the toothless media.
Over the course of a few hours, Americans got a glimpse of Bush as strange as the story of "My Pet Goat." What happened to the guy on the rubble with the bullhorn? Was this the man Guiliani thanked God for as bodies fell from the towers (I still can't believe he said that)?
Has the whole "reality" thing come to a close? The media obviously has taken its dentures out again and Bush is back where he feels most comfortable - in a room that doesn't have John Kerry in it.
But has the public changed? After three years of 2+2=5, can they keep their mind focused on the number four?
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