Lost in Translation

"It is the not-so-secret secret of every presidential campaign that most crowds at most campaign stops are so much stage prop," writes Paul Vitello. Case in point: George Bush's visit to U.S.A. Industries in Bay Shore, Long Island, NY on Thursday. Bush "gave his speech... in front of a sign that said 'Strengthening America's Economy'." It was only after Bush left that reporters could interview the audience -- many of whom spoke little or no English -- "the work force of a small auto parts factory whose owner has received tax breaks from the Republican-run state and town governments, and who employs large numbers of non-English speaking immigrants happy to work for $6 to $9 an hour with few benefits."

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