Political Madlib

_____________ Leader's Problems are Bush's Problems Too

WASHINGTON - The sinking political fortunes of __________ President __________ leave his defenders in Washington in an awkward spot, shoring up an undemocratic but useful ruler whose close ties to President Bush are part of his problem at home.

_____________ has an uncertain hold on power after months of political turmoil and his own missteps, and his recent attempt to _____________________ horrified his US allies.

Bush's top diplomat got the uncomfortable assignment of calling ______________ at 2:30 am EST to argue against a step that would play in the West as proof that an ugly dictatorship lies beneath _________'s moderate surface.

As President Bush said during a news conference, "In my discussions with President ___________, I have reminded him that we share a common enemy: Extremists and radicals who would like to do harm to our respective societies."

It's a fun game! I bet that in news-speak, they call this a 'Monday page 3', as in "Hey Lenny, can you type another quick 'Monday page 3? Yeah, we got another one.'