Sleepless In Washington

The President has been getting advice from pundits and others these days in order to increase his approval ratings. No one knows whether he has been losing sleep over the ratings, or even paying attention to them, but this joke has been circulating among the Democratic and anti-Bush side of the political spectrum:

One night, George W. Bush is tossing restlessly in his White House bed. He awakens to see George Washington standing by him. Bush asks him, "George,what's the best thing I can do to help the country?"

"Set an honest and honorable example, just as I did," Washington advises and then fades away.

The next night Bush is astir again and sees the ghost of Thomas Jefferson moving through the darkened bedroom. Bush calls out, "Tom, please! What is the best thing I can do to help the country?"

"Respect the Constitution as I did," Jefferson advises and recedes from sight.

The third night sleep is still not in the cards for Bush. He awakens to see the ghost of F.D.R. hovering over his bed. Bush whispers, "Franklin, what is the best thing I can do to help the country?"

"Help the less fortunate, just as I did," FDR replies and fades into the mists.

Bush isn't sleeping well the fourth night when he sees another figure moving in the shadows. It is the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. Bush pleads, "Abe, what is the best thing I can do right now to help the country?"

Abe replies, "Go see a play."