I think Bush fumbled the ball on this one in terms of publicity only. Small blimp though - nothing major. You gave no reason why turing away these Kerry tools helps Bush - only recited talking points.
Oh...I don't know....
Maybe because the Kerry Campaign has now proven to be indistinguishable from the Jerry Springer Show?
Nah...then he would have been portrayed as bending over to Kerry supporters. He doesn't LIKE these people. He has no respect for them, and their whining only earns them more derison from him. The decision not to meet with them and give them a photo op at his expense was a personal one. Much like his refusal to walk into an NAACP "I hate Bush Fest".
I don't think he fumbled anything. If he would have received them, Max would have still bad mouthed Bush and the mainstream media would still not have given Bush a fair shake. The media can't really show anything the Rolling Blunders said. Max was ranting like a mad man. And Rassman really didn't say much other than calling Bush a flip flopper. So the only thing they can say is that Bush wouldn't receive them. I think most people out there know you can't just demand to see or deliver something to the President. And Bush sending out a minor leaguer, no offense to Jerry Patterson, to deal with the ex-senator really toped the whole thing off. Kerry and his people came out looking like a bunch of whiny losers.
Why should any loyal American give any time to these types? Cleland is a joke.