Bush Launches Charm Offensive in Bid to Woo Skeptical Democrats

[babylonsister]

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=washingtonstory&sid=akg7GXICOpys

Bush Launches Charm Offensive in Bid to Woo Skeptical Democrats

By Edwin Chen and Laura Litvan

May 25 (Bloomberg) -- The meal was fit for a queen: caviar, Dover sole almondine and spring lamb. The setting was no less impressive: the upstairs residence of the White House, with its unrivaled vista of the National Mall.

``It's not Crawford,'' President George W. Bush told his guests, referring to the dusty central Texas town where he owns a ranch. ``But if you can't be in Texas, what a view!''

As Representative Chet Edwards, a Texas Democrat, admired the scenery, he said later, he was struck by his presence at the April 17 dinner -- his first such invitation from Bush.

Only 20 months before the end of his term, Bush has begun a cross-party charm offensive that many had expected at the dawn rather than the twilight of his presidency. His aim is to make bipartisan progress on a few big issues -- such as an overhaul of immigration laws -- before he leaves office.

Bush's success will depend on whether long-neglected Democrats, now the majority in Congress, can set aside their conviction that he is acting out of political expedience. Since he first took office in 2001, the president has relied almost exclusively on Republicans, who controlled Congress until this year.

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[underpants]

1. What are we supposed to believe this when Dems fold again?

and everyone in DC can talk about how great a politician Bush is??? Is this just establishing the conventional wisdom??

Puuuuuuuuuuhhlease

[aquart]

2. His "charm" is offensive.

[Neecy]

3. charm? hahaha

[gatorboy]

4. Caviar, Dover sole almondine and spring lamb?

This is the meal of an Average Joe?

[MidwestTransplant]

5. I would say: "Thanks for lunch, looks great....Can I get that to go?"

[Az]

6. Has anyone told him he makes us sick to our stomachs?

That takes the edge offa any charm real quick.

[KansDem]

7. Oh, Man! Not the CHARM OFFENSIVE that Cokie told us about!

Eight years ago on NPR, Cokie told us all about the "charm offensive" and now it's back!

Nicknames all around!!!

AHHHHHHHHHH...We're doomed!!!

On a serious note: the situation must be desperate if Karl pulls out this old script...