So ABC just reported that Sludge is saying

[Puglover]

Bunnypants may be planning a trip to watch the Iraqi soccer team should they advance to the finals. HA! I can't WAIT until the soccer team announce they don't want the murderous bastard anywhere near them!

[PA Democrat]

1. Nice to see that ABC considers Matt Drudge

to be a reliable source of information. Liberal media my ass.

[A_Possum]

4. Really, pathetic on both counts

Drudge as a source?

And I hope Bush read that Sports Illustrated article. They might give him a thumbs up. (Which as I understand it is a rude gesture in Iraq.)

[terrya]

2. Ken Mehlman said no to this on "Meet the Press" this morning.

And it sounded like a flat out no.

[djg21]

8. No. He hedged his bets. . .

and said that he is the campaign manager, not Shrub's schedule manager. He added that, as far as he knows, Shrub ain't going.

Shrub id floatingf a tiral balloon. He now knows he is unwelcom -- the IOC doesn't want him there because of the security headaches, and, the Iraqis most definitely don't want him there. He would beutterly embarrassed if the iraqiu soccer team protested by not playing is he is present!

[wurzel]

10. He hedged his bets on debates too.

Wouldn't agree there would be three.

[Cha]

14. So then he's already had the Sports Illustrated article

read to him.

[DeminDC]

3. The Dems Need to Get Out in Front of This One

Now is the time for the Dems to get out in front of the story and explain why Chimp is not welcome at Iraqi soccer matches. Spreading yesterday's MSNBC story would be a good idea.

It would be highly appropriate for Kerry to also say something like, "Fighting terrorism is not what is at issue here. I will fight terrorism every hour of every day while I am in the White House. I supported the liberation of Afghanistan and gave the President the authority to go to war in Iraq. What is at issue, however, is how the President went to war in Iraq and how we have squandered great opportunities in the war on terrorism at home and abroad."

"The President's trip to the Olympics serves not as a signal of our participation in international affairs but of a shameful appeal for political support in a venue that transcends politics and human history. The Iraqi soccer players have asked that he not use their personal accomplishments for the furthering of the President's political agenda. In fact, many disagree with his agenda."

"The IOC has also renounced President Bush's political use of the Olympics. Not a shocker for one who has continually turned a blind eye to the international community..."

"The President likes to give himself credit for spreading democracy throughout the world. The evidence, unfortunately, shows that the spread of democracy has slowed during his Administration. When Bill Clinton was President, democracy reached Eastern Europe, Yugoslavia, East Timor, among other nations. This represents X countries and X% of the world's population. During President Bush's administration, only 2 countries have become democracies due to American leadership. When I am President, the march to democracy will resume in a safer, more secure world."

"Sadly, this has affected us in profound ways. Within our own hemisphere, Venezuela confronts a situation in which their leader is unresponsive to the people and threatens the world by cutting off vital energy sources. Two of the three nations that comprise the President's "Axis of Evil" now threaten the world with nuclear weapons. All this while the President sits idly and proclaims mission accomplished."

"I would like to close with this message to our athletes. You are performing admirably in these Olympics. Your nation and I are proud of you, and you should be proud of yourselves."

I must admit that Bush is taking a risk by going to the Olympics, and I would expect that Bush would get booed vigorously if he showed his face at the Olympics, but that is just my opinion.

[Puglover]

I think you are

right on. The crowds would boo him soundly. Would just shore up the Freepers jingoism. :eyes:

[11 Bravo]

5. Agreed. Smirk may be shocked to find that

there are no "free-speech zones" in Athens, and the crowd would definitely not be composed of a bunch of hand-picked ass lickers.

[wellstone_democrat]

7. He would put others at risk as well

He is hated that much in the world that an attempt to do something to "get" him might get others injured or killed. Its foolhardy to do and selfish to even consider.

My guess is that since he'd be generally "boo-ed" by audience on site and that the Iraqui team would not be a compliant photo prop, that there is no question that he will stay home. He can't risk it.

[faithnotgreed]

11. right on

[Sporadicus]

6. Not Even * Himself is Stupid Enough to Make That Trip

and his handlers would certainly veto any suggestion of allowing him to face the inevitable fiasco such an adventure would become.

[Bluebear]

9. They already announced it

One person definitely not on Hamad's speed dial was President Bush, who has stirred some anger among the Iraqi coach and players for using Iraq's flag during a reference to the Olympics in a commercial for his re-election campaign.

The U.S. Olympic Committee has also raised concern about the ad's use of the games for a political purpose.

Asked about the commercial, Hamad said: "Bush helps to destroy our country. After a year and a half, we have passed into a very bad situation. ... We'll never believe Bush can be with us."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/olympics/2004/soccer/08/21/bc.oly.iraq.australiaso.ap/index.html

[GOPEC]

12. Remember how Cheney was booed at Yankee Stadium?

Imagine the booing in Athens! What if he picked his nose like at that Rangers game?

[Bluebear]

13. "How will Mr. Bush meet his god?"

"Iraq as a team does not want Mr Bush to use us for the presidential campaign," said the Iraqi player.

"He can find another way to advertise himself."

He called for US troops to be withdrawn from Iraq. "We don't wish for the presence of the Americans in our country. We want them to go away."

Another star player, 22-year-old Ahmed Manajid, asked: "How will meet his god having slaughtered so many men and women? He has committed so many crimes."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3584242.stm

[radwriter0555]

15. He never planned to go, the idea was to pretend to want to, and boo, hoo

hoo, now he CAN'T cause it won't be SECRET.

It's all BULLSHIT. There was never a plan for bush to go to the olympics.

EVER.

[aquart]

16. Now that makes sense.

Just another lie.