[Kevin]

The speach was actually pretty good for what it was intended to do -- ignite the base of the Republican party. It might have even won some votes from conservative Dems.

I don't think it was that bad really. I can see why they'd back away. It'll stand on its own. Zell doesn't need the Republican party to stand behind his words -- they've been said. He can absorb the negative impact, the Republican party can keep the positive impact.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Bush throwing Zell a bone next year in the way of an appointment to something important.