Man Date - A Poem by George W. Bush:

(All taken from Bush's own words at his press conference yesterday.)



1. Dear Vladimir

I'm optimistic about achieving results, Vladimir.

I will submit and maintain strict discipline, Vladimir.

I intend to keep it that way.

We will provide every tool

We have tools at our disposal, a variety of tools.

We have joint efforts.

Let us keep our commitment a sustained effort.

Because we acted, I will give you a decisive blow in Slovenia.

If we disagree with decisions, we can do so

In a friendly and positive way, Vladimir.

Vladimir, we have got a good personal relationship.

We are two people who've grown to appreciate

Each other and respect each other.

It's a lot less painful to act now

Than if we wait. Otherwise, it will

Make everybody else jealous,

And I don't want that to happen.



2. Negotiating With Myself

Polls go up. Polls go down.

You want to get me to negotiate with myself in public

Polls go up. Polls go down.

I will negotiate at the appropriate time.

Polls go up. Polls go down.

They will want me to start playing my hand.

Polls go up. Polls go down.

I'm not going to negotiate with myself.

I'm not going to negotiate with myself.

Polls go up. Polls go down.

I will try to explain how without negotiating with myself.

Polls go up. Polls go down.

I issued.



3. Regarding Rumsfeld

I know Secretary Rumsfeld's heart.

I've seen his eyes when we talk about the dangers, the youngsters.

He's a caring fellow.

Beneath that rough and gruff, no-nonsense demeanor is

A good human being who cares deeply.

When I asked the Secretary,

I was very pleased when he said, "Yes."

He understands the nature of the forces

And where forces are when the heat gets on.



I said to him, "I will continue to push,

You're painfully aware. You had to suffer.

I'm passionate on it. But we have sent messages.

We've sanctioned ourselves.

People are coming. Yet we will continue to

Work the issue hard." His is a vital issue.

He took that on and absorbed it in the spirit

In which it was offered,

The spirit of two people who've grown to

Appreciate each other and respect each other.

But we have to make it easier to enforce our borders.



4. Postscript

I was trying to be really brilliant.

But I'm under no illusions.

I'm not doing a very good job.