NY Times refutes Dean's claims about one-way bus tickets to Crawford, Tex.

[pruner]

Hop on the Bus? It's Not That Easy

ONE of Howard Dean's favorite stump-speech lines is a promise to give President Bush "a one-way bus ticket back to Crawford, Tex.''

The trouble is, there is no bus to Crawford, where Mr. Bush has a ranch and would presumably retreat after his stint in the White House. Greyhound's closest station is in Waco, 18 miles away, and Waco's local bus service, known as the Hop, stops at the city limits.

There are three options if Dr. Dean gets his wish and sends the president ridin' the dog to Waco. Mr. Bush could leave at 1:50 a.m. and arrive the next afternoon at 2:50, making 29 stops but only one transfer. Or take the 9:30 a.m. bus, cutting the trip by three hours and 45 minutes but requiring three transfers - which would complicate work for his Secret Service busmates. Or leave at 11 p.m. on the shortest route, although it includes two overnights, landing in Waco - remember, he still needs a ride to the ranch - at 7:30 a.m., two days after leaving Washington.

The cost is not, as Dr. Dean might seem to suggest, getting two million people to donate $100 each to his campaign, but just $145 ($79 with seven-day advance).

Mr. Bush can take solace in the tradition that departing presidents get a final ride home on the presidential airplane. But there appears to be no specific constitutional impediment to alternative transportation on Greyhound One.

http://www.nytimes.com/2003/11/30/politics/campaigns/30POIN.html?ex=1070773200&en=48e783beacfeb171&ei=5062&partner=GOOGLE (third item)

[expatriot]

1. that's it... I can't back Dean anymore...

I can't back a candidate that is full of misinformation (/sarcasm)

[RevolutionStartsNow]

2. I want to see him on a bus to Crawford

painted with a huge sign that says "Mission Accomplished"

[buff2]

3. Dump his ass off in Waco

And let him jog to Crawford. Don't they always brag about how much he likes to run? Well.......let him go to it.

[dajabr]

4. Dean's first Executive Order...

Divert Greyhound to Crawford for one day. Works for me... B-)

[slinkerwink]

9. yep, same here for me too....

that's one executive order that I'd totally support! ;-)

[Wwagsthedog]

5. I'll volunteer to meet him in Waco...

...with a tractor, a skateboard and twenty feet of rope. I'll be diving the one seat tractor to Crawford.

[Don_G]

6. Land Yacht One

Has got to be a hell of a lot cheaper to operate than Air Force One for a one-way trip.

[Pastiche423]

7. Nah

Let him slap the donkey back to Crawford.

[roguevalley]

8. yikes. I'm going to have to get another candidate. Thank you, MEDIA!

IT ISN'T LIKE THERE'S OTHER NEWS OUT THERE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Rowdyboy]

10. You people are EVIL AND WICKED!!!!

While we may disagree on candidates and tactics, I love to be totally surrounded by a cocoon of Bush haters. You make me feel all warm and fuzzy!

[slinkerwink]

12. well, we know who the real enemy is....

;-)

[Rowdyboy]

14. Still, its kind of strange to define yourself by who you hate...

I did it in the '60's and 70's with Nixon, in the '80's with Reagan, and in the "00's with Bush. While I despise all three, Bush is the only one I really fear.

Only in the 1990's could I define myself with a Democratic Clinton. I'm sad to have lived so much of my life in a largely Republican era.

[slinkerwink]

15. Bush's definitely the WORST president ever....

I only hope that history will judge him unkindly like they did to Nixon...

[Rowdyboy]

16. My respect for the man is minimal. My fear/respect for his advisors

is immense. These people are very savvy and they have the financial resources and connections to make their ideology prevail, even though it is illogical. Why would middle class/lower class people vote Republican? Because they are scared/manuevered into it. Why have poor southern whites and blacks been divided by race? Because, by dividing the majority, an elite minority maintains control.

As we lurch ever rightward, I fear Bush may eventually represent mainstream thinking. While the prospect sickens me, people are extraordinarily stupid and easy to manipulate.

[slinkerwink]

17. that's why it's so important to educate them through TV.....

sometimes it's TV ads that are our only recourse to reach the people.

[Rowdyboy]

18. I truly hope that is enough

But looking at my own, middle/working class southern family I see little chance of greater enlightenment. Really wish I could be more optimistic but its hard during the Age of Bush.

[Cleita]

11. That is so funny considering that the likes of Bush

have never been on a bus ever. I appreciate Dean's metaphor. I am so sorry you don't.

[maggrwaggr]

13. Only the delusional would think Bush would choose to live in Crawford

when he's "retired".

What a joke.