Yeah, I know you don't want to hear it. Some people here would rather sit around and snicker at George W. Bush saying something else stupid--this time while he's in China. Think Progess has a pretty good summary, including the video that was pulled from YouTube because of a third party ownership claim. Worthless stuff is usually not worth claiming. But, that's not the only reason I'm going to give you an opportunity to reconsider whether what Bush said was stupid or part of an orchestrated campaign. That NBC interrupted its coverage of the Olympics with this vignette may or may not be significant. Let's go back to earlier in the week. It seems that on Thursday, Barack Obama answered a question from a little girl which NewsBusters.org covered thusly:

Media Mostly MIA on Obama's 'America No Longer What It Once Was' Downer Delivered to 7 Year-Old By Tom Blumer August 9, 2008 - 18:51 ET This doesn't qualify as any kind of surprise, but it should be noted nonetheless. Thursday, Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama gave a stunningly downbeat assessment of the nation's overall situation in a response to a seven year-old girl who asked him why he is running for president. Obama's media water-carriers have virtually ignored his very telling response, one that is reminiscent of Jimmy Carter's gloomiest, malaise-based assessments of America during his awful presidency.

Right. And then on Sunday, George W. Bush, the inatentive buffoon at the Olympic games, takes time out to do an interview and what does he have to say?

I don’t see America having problems. I see America as a nation that is a world leader that has got great values.

and Tom Blumer tells us why:

When presidential candidates answer questions from children about why they want the job, most will give an answer that uplifts the child and the candidate. Not Barack Obama. At a campaign stop in Elkhart, Indiana, a seven-year-old girl asked the Democrat why he wants to be President — and he told her that America has gone downhill:

"America is ..., uh, is no longer, uh ... what it could be, what it once was. And I say to myself, I don’t want that future for my children."

In case you don't get it, lying to children is uplifting and telling the truth is a downer. Which is actually a clever counter to the hope theme. Meanwhile, back in the good old U.S. of A., who's on FOX opining? That's right, Huckabee.

COLMES: With us now is — for reaction former presidential candidate and former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee. Oh my heavens, this 7-year-old girl must be hiding under her bed scared about America, right, Governor? MIKE HUCKABEE, FOX NEWS CONTRIBUTOR: I don't know if she's hiding under her bed but what see saw here is a candidate who's exhausted. We saw a candidate who's off the prompter.

Yes, Huckabee, fresh from his visit to a West Texas fundraiser and on his way to honor 1100 people who bought tickets at another fundraiser in Missouri where he said

Huckabee, during a session with reporters at U.S. Rep. Jo Ann Emerson's annual picnic in Cape Girardeau, said his Baptist faith would prevent him from taking a piece of that action. And the runner-up in the GOP contest for the presidential nomination said he's not seeking the second spot on the ticket with U.S. Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

that he doesn't want the second spot on the ticket with John McCain, and I believe him. 'Cause I still think McCain is like one of those hot dog pilots that goes into enemy territory to "light up" the anti-aircraft batteries, so the bombers can take them out. Note that Huckabee's being referred to as the "runner-up in the GOP contest." Will it surprise you, if the GOP have a brokered convention and Huckabee comes out smelling like a rose? He's so full of fun!

During a speech that lasted about a half-hour, Huckabee used humor to criticize Illinois Sen. Barack Obama's energy proposals and extolled the virtues of McCain, who he said was always his second choice to be the GOP presidential nominee. Huckabee noted that Obama is vacationing in Hawaii. He said he knew "a little bit of a secret that hasn't busted out in the press," that Obama is suffering from an abscessed tooth. "But he's so afraid of drilling that he won't let the dentist get near him," Huckabee said to general laughter.

and went on:

"When people say race is the big issue, I say no," Huckabee said. Obama has been "made the nominee of his party not because of his race or in spite of it but through indifference to it."

The man's got a nasty tongue. But, it's not just in Missouri that he's getting coverage, or on FOX. His name creeps into stories in the Los Angeles Times, the New York Times, as well as more local outlets.

Huckabee to speak at pro-life dinner at the Lake Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee will speak at 7 p.m. Aug. 14 on the Lodge of Four Seasons, Lake Ozark, as the highlight of the Vitae Caring Foundation's Lake of the Ozarks Annual Pro-Life Benefit Dinner. Col. Oliver North was the original speaker. However, the Fox News Channel informed him to be ready to deploy to Afghanistan for embedment with the troops. So North asked his friend and fellow pro-life advocate to speak in his place, a letter from North said. “Governor Huckabee is an active supporter of Vitae Caring Foundation with both his time and finances,” North wrote. “I am confident the event will be a wonderful success as he delivers a powerful message regarding the pro-life cause and issues a continued call to action.”

Just in time for the Evangelical's rally on the Mall.

Social conservatives, disappointed with Huckabee’s loss in the GOP presidential primary, still are wary of McCain and some of the policies and actions he has taken in the Senate. Perkins and others have warned that McCain has yet to assuage their concerns, and the lack of excitement in the evangelical community about McCain’s candidacy could cost him the same key votes that helped carry President Bush across the finish line in 2000 and 2004. Evangelical leaders are urging McCain, a lifelong opponent of abortion rights, to commit to pushing a constitutional amendment on gay marriage. Social conservative leaders also want him to take a firm position on banning federal funding for stem-cell research.

What's not to be up-beat about?