HOW HARD

Although he boasts that he doesn't read newspapers and continues to claim sweetness and sunshine in Iraq despite an ever worsening situation (among other flip-flops of reality), Bush handed critics a few doozies during his trouncing by Kerry.

Debate moderator Jim Leher asked Bush a simple question:

"You have said there was a, quote, miscalculation, of what the conditions would be in post-war Iraq. What was the miscalculation, and how did it happen?"

Bush rambles about achieving "such a rapid victory," something about Gen. Tommy Franks, "mixed signals to our troops," NATO and Jordan, our "alliance" and an upcoming summit hosted by Japan. But perhaps most telling was his out-of-the-blue contention that he understands what "hard work" it is to combat terrorism.

"I understand how hard it is. I get the casualty reports every day," he said. "I see on the TV screens how hard it is."

[Thanks to A.H. for reminding me of this winner.]