This Fred Barnes lede is a classic:
President Bush went to bed at the normal time, roughly 10p.m., on the night the House of Representatives voted on the Central American Free Trade Agreement. But he was awakened by White House staffers to talk to wavering Republicans on the House floor. A cell phone with the president on the line was passed by Bush’s chief congressional lobbyist, Candida Wolff, from congressman to congressman. Then Bush watched the vote count on C-SPAN before giving up. The total for CAFTA looked to be stuck at 214, not enough for passage. He went back to bed, only to be called a few moments later by Karl Rove, his political adviser and deputy chief of staff. Three Republicans–Robin Hays of North Carolina, Steve LaTourette of Ohio, Mike Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania–had simultaneously voted for the treaty and it had won. Relieved, Bush went back to bed again. It was after midnight.
With the vote on the line…Bush lunged for his pillow. Naturally, this is evidence of Bush’s continued power and vigor.
posted by Frank.
The Dish 