Totally unrelated to campaign news, but I ask you this: Right after getting his immigration proposal stomped to pieces by a fired-up base, does it really do President Bush any good to be seen hanging around Kennebunkport with Vladimir Putin? I thought we were a little irked with this guy, seeing as he’s suspect numero uno for irradiating half of London in the process of whacking a dissident. Unless we’re taking him out on the boat like Fredo, is this really the time to be all smiles with the guy?

How does that thinking go? “Hm. Just got my butt handed to me by the base… time to take Pootie-Poot out for a spin!”