HAPPY-TIME GEORGE

With his usual Pollyanna bravado, governor Bush drew praise and criticism from Democats, who might have a chance at launching a successful bid for the White House if not for the temerity of conviction.

A New York Times story offers a little perspective on the motivation for Bush's visit to troops in Iraq.

"The trip came at a time of rising criticism of the president for not attending the funerals of the returning war dead. It also came in the same week that Mr. Bush met with families of 26 soldiers killed in Iraq, and thus appeared to be a concerted effort by the White House to deal with a political problem."

Is the problem Bush's inability to grasp a reality that exists outside his cabal of advisers?