Fairly early in the interview, Russert quoted a prominent Republican as predicting that Osama bin Laden, the most-wanted man in the world, would be captured prior to the November election. There was the hint of a suggestion of an implication that, say, if Osama bin Laden were captured tomorrow, or three months ago, the news might be somehow withheld until the most politically advantageous moment.

Could such an outrageous scenario actually occur? That's more chilling than this horrible Washington winter. But it often seems that when the new century and new millennium began, the lines separating fact and fiction grew closer, and that if they haven't overlapped already, they could at any given moment.

For now, Russert and NBC News can congratulate themselves on a job well done, and they will.

And though there wasn't a lot of visual interest in this hour of two talking heads, a closing shot of Bush and Russert sitting in the center of the pattern on the Oval Office rug was strikingly beautiful. We're talking about rug here? Yes, we are. One must must look for little encouragements where one can find them.

re his appearance - Yes, and especially in the lighting for the pic shown with article - he looks Lots older, no wiser alas - but savvier on when to bite tongue.

Edit: perhaps the hidden portrait is of..




Alfred E. Neuman?