As you look at your second term, how much is the war in Iraq going to cost? Do you intend to send more troops, or bring troops home? And in the Middle East, more broadly, do you agree with Tony Blair that revitalizing the Middle East peace process is the single most pressing political issue facing the world?
Hunt
Dear Hunt,
Wow, no one's ever asked that in Mailbag Day before. Usually, we get questions about piles of burning tires and my drinking habits. So, let's see... the Middle East must be right by the Midwest. Probably like in the Pennsylvania area. So, yes, I say bring the troops home from Pittsburgh. No blood for oil, and so forth. But I'm not sure who Toni Blair is - is she the one chick from Facts of Life? I think her and Mrs. Garrett need to go to Pittsburgh and work on that whole peace process deal they got there, for sure.
On foreign policy, more broadly, do you believe that America has an image problem in the world right now, because of your efforts and response to the 9/11 attacks? And, as you talked down the stretch about building alliances, talk about what you'll do to build on those alliances and to deal with these image problems, particularly in the Islamic world.
Gregory
Dear Gregory,
Wow, another fancy question. Well, Your Fanciness, you made a glaring typo - the store you're talking about is 7/11, you douchebag. And I didn't hear anything about 7/11 attacks or image problems with America. In fact, the Slurpees they make are super-awesome. If anyone's gonna attack, it'll be White Hen, cause they're jealous.
Mr. President, you talked once again this morning about private accounts in Social Security. During the campaign you were accused of planning to privatize the entire system. It has been something you've discussed for some time. You've lost some of the key Democratic proponents, such as Pat Moynihan and Bob Kerrey in the Congress. How will you proceed now with one of the key problems, which is the transition cost -- which some say is as much as $2 trillion -- how will you proceed on that? And how soon?
Dear Jim,
I'm the president of the Emmanuel Lewis Fan Club, but no one's ever called me Mr. President before. You must be a Member. I don't remember talking about Social Security at our last meeting, but I was kind of drunk. I do remember having to say "Papadopoulous" 5 times before anyone let me drive home, though.
Do you plan to reshape your Cabinet for the second term, or will any changes come at the instigation of individuals? And as part of the same question, may I ask you what you've learned about Cabinet government, what works, what doesn't work? And do you mind also addressing the same question about the White House staff?
Mike
Dear Mike,
I feel my cabinet is in fine shape. I shaved down one of the legs last year, cause it was wobbling, but that did the trick. I can't tell you much about running my cabinet, but I do know this: socks in the top drawer, undies in the bottom.
Sir, given your commitment to reaching out across party lines and to all Americans, I wonder if you could expand on your definition of bipartisanship, and whether it means simply picking off a few Democrats on a case-by-case basis to pass the bills you want to pass, or whether you would commit to working regularly with the Democratic leadership on solutions that can win broad support across party lines?
Stevenson
Dear Stevenson,
I'm glad you asked that. While bipartisan politics have been a benchmark of our democracy, it's important that we recognize rhetoric propaganda and differentiate these terms from the veritable balance the concept can provide for our methods of government. What's right for America is often an ambiguous ideal, when individual Americans cater to opposing agendas. But I have always maintained that the dichotomy of a dual party system shall be preserved within democracy.
