If it Doesn't Play in Peoria...

...as the saying goes, it won't play anywhere else.

In town to deliver remarks on the economy, the president walked into the diner, where he was greeted with what can only be described as a sedate reception. No one rushed to shake his hand.

In Peoria this week, many patrons found their pancakes more interesting. Except for the click of news cameras and the clang of a dish from the kitchen, the quiet was deafening.

“Sorry to interrupt you,” Bush said to a group of women, who were sitting in a booth with their young kids. “How’s the service?” As Bush signed a few autographs and shook hands, a man sitting at the counter lit a cigarette and asked for more coffee. Another woman, eyeing Bush and his entourage, sighed heavily and went back to her paper. She was reading the obituaries. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast,” a White House aide told her. “No problem,” she huffed, in a not-so-friendly way. “Life goes on, I guess.”

Um...could I get some fries with that bullshit?

Malamute Blogging

Fuzzy ears. I must have them.

Anything plush that comes into the house is in immediate danger of this kind a treatment. He's partial to ears on both animate and inanimate objects. Prior to being introduced to toys his favorite chew toys were his brother's ears.

Still Unsinkable Molly

Lately, my schedule is such that I don't hear news until the end of the day, so this came as shock when I walked into the apartment. Spence, who lived in Texas for a while, had this to say.

Proud to be liberal, never ashamed of her lefty inclinations, always pragmatic, deeply moral but never a prude, and never ever elitist; her salty humor and folksy charm were a breath of fresh air in progressive politics, too often dominated by stiflingly pedantic mainstream Democratic voices.

Politics and punditry are duller for the loss.

Oh Boy

We rag on Obama a lot over here, but I kinda have to empathize a little with him here.

Yes, Joe. We talk pretty.

Not quite the worst way to kick off a presidential campaign but close enough.