BOLTEN SEEKS TO GET THE OLD MOJO WORKING

Putting lipstick on a pig.

It's time for the White House to go on offense and "get our mojo back." Josh Bolten said Sunday in his first interview since taking over as the president's chief of staff.

Bolten made no promises of pulling up President Bush's all-time low approval ratings, but he said he and Bush have decided they want to be more open with the media and the public.

Nonsense. This administration is notoriously the most secretive in history. When Bush decides he wants more open government, he can start by telling the truth to the American people instead of threatening to jail journalists for doing so. He could also hold a few open town hall meetings where he confronts those who disagree with him instead of staging photo op gatherings where only members of his loyal base are permitted to attend.

"We've taken advice from a lot of folks that we ought to put the president out more in ways that the American people can see what he's really like," Bolten said on "Fox News Sunday."

Uh, Josh, you might want to rethink that one. When the American people get to see what Dubya's really like, they find they don't like him at all.

Bolten added that it is vital that the White House communicate effectively about the importance of the fight against terrorism so Americans will support the mission.

Americans support the fight against terrorists. What Americans DON'T support any longer is the big diversion called the invasion of Iraq.

"He doesn't necessarily change his mind, but there's no penalty internally for disagreeing with the group or with the president," Bolten said. "But I say internally, because he's very much a CEO, and when he makes a decision, then everybody within the White House should salute and get in line, at least publicly, with that decision."

At least until they retire, eh?

Tags: Josh Bolten, White House changes