Atrios is reporting that our quasi-elected President, George W. Bush, will appear for a full hour this Sunday on Tim Russert's Meet the Press show.
Assuming Atrios is right -- and there's every reason to think he is -- the big question is:
Why?
If Russert brings even 10% of the tough, nasty oppo research that he generally springs on his guests -- the type of questions Bush has been carefully shielded from for the past 3 years -- it could be a bloodbath.
With such a wealth of dubious positions and scandalous activity to choose from, "Pumpkinhead" Russert could make this into a Halloween movie.
The presumption is that Bush, who proudly shelters himself from uncomfortable news and views, is not up to the task. So why participate, and why now? Three major possibilities come to mind; others here will no doubt think of others.
(1) Rove thinks that this is an opportunity to confound expectations, and show that Bush has more substance and mettle than people assume -- a calculated gamble;
(2) The fix is in, and Russert will uncharacteristically throw softballs;
(3) The White House is desperate.
What can ordinary Americans do besides wait for Sunday morning? For one thing, we can send Meet the Press emails (click HERE, for one thing, putting Russert on notice that people will be watching whether he makes Bush through the same hoops as most guests.