The Stare Down

This is the most jaw-dropping thing from the exchange between Rush Limbaugh's interview with President Bush.

RUSH: Before we go -- I know time is dwindling -- I must ask you about North Korea, because I find this fascinating.

THE PRESIDENT: Sure.

RUSH: Your critics have been demanding bilateral talks, just the United States and North Koreans. You've been telling them we did that and it didn't work, and you've been insisting that we have six party or multi-lateral talks to deal with the North Korean nuclear problem. North Korea sets off their so-called nuclear test and now, all of a sudden, after you maintaining the six party talks as being key to solving the issue, it's North Korea who appears to have blinked and you have been proven correct in your assessment of how to play this thing. It's a stunning development that has been greeted with silence, Mr. President. It really has. You stared them down. The United States did. Let me not make this personal. The United States stared them down. You stuck to your guns, as you do on everything, and the way you think is best to be handled is going to happen.

To quote Winston Wolf, "Well, let's not start suckin' each other's dicks quite yet." While Bush was sticking to his guns, North Korea got a nuke. The goal should have been not to have North Norea gain a nuclear weapon. Instead, success is judged by Bush giving Kim Jong il the most unintimidating stare down in history.

Hat tip to Shakes.