Off to a great start

Reuters gets off to a great start covering Bush's second term. Below is their coverage of his inauguration, interspersed with what I suppose reporter Steve Holland was thinking as he wrote it:

Bush Sworn in for 2nd Term, Vows Push for Freedom

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush pledged to work to heal a country divided by the Iraq war and vowed to advance freedom against "rulers of outlaw regimes" as he was sworn in for a second term on Thursday.

Bush, whose 52 percent approval rating is the lowest for a returning president since Richard Nixon in 1973, said in his inaugural address, "We have known divisions, which must be healed to move forward in great purposes, and I will strive in good faith to heal them."

Lowest approval rating since Nixon! No mandate for you!

The plain-spoken Bush also had a blunt message for leaders who oppose democracy, as he spoke behind a bulletproof shield on a wintry day before thousands gathered at the U.S. Capitol and millions watching the display of flag-waving pageantry on television.

Hiding behind a bulletproof shield! Where's Mr. Macho Flightsuit Guy now, huh?

"The rulers of outlaw regimes can know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did: 'Those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves; and, under the rule of a just God, cannot long retain it,"' he said in his address, which a heckler tried to interrupt before being escorted away.

Ugh, here we go again with the God talk. But at least he got heckled during his inauguration speech! PWN3D!!!

He said advancing the ideals of self-government across the world "is the urgent requirement of our nation's security."

Bush underscored the importance of U.S. allies at a time when many world leaders are concerned about a second four-year term for the Republican president and feel alienated by what they see as his go-it-alone foreign policy and the Iraq war.

"All the allies of the United States can know: We honor your friendship, we rely on your counsel, and we depend on your help," he said.

Looks like Chimpy is finally wising up. Once we get France and Germany on our side, Al Qaeda's days are numbered, baby!

After Bush, 58, was sworn in as the 43rd U.S. president, protesters swore at him.

Along part of the motorcade route from the Capitol back to the White House, Bush's heavily guarded limousine passed sections of jeering demonstrators holding signs like "worst ever." Police fired pepper spray to disperse demonstrators who hurled debris and tried to break through a security fence.

Finally, some genuine emotion! What a relief from all that empty "flag-waving pageantry".

Security was extremely tight for the first presidential inauguration since the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks and Bush only got out of his limousine near the White House.

Hiding again, Mr. Top Gun? WIMP!

Mostly along the route, however, there were thousands of cheering supporters, many of whom paid to get good places to see the parade.

See? Bush favors the wealthy again! It costs money just to stand in the street and watch the guy!

</sarcasm>

Essentially, what happened here is that despite one of the most contentious presidential elections in American history, the vast majority of people at the inauguration cheered Bush. But we don't get to hear that from Reuters until it's made clear that:

-- He's got low approval ratings.

-- He's concerned that people might try to assassinate him.

-- Some guy heckled him during his speech.

-- He's crawling back to the allies he dissed in his first term.

-- Protestors jeered him and threw stuff at his motorcade.

Even then, we're reminded that "many" (how many?) Bush supporters are rich enough to blow their cash on getting a good spot to stand and watch his parade go by.

Looks like it's going to be a long four years.