FLIP-FLOP BUSH CAMPAIGN

Thursday:

After gauging the harsh reaction from Democrats and Republicans alike to Sen. Zell Miller's keynote address at the Republican National Convention, the Bush campaign -- led by the first lady -- backed away Thursday from Miller's savage attack on Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry, insisting that the estranged Democrat was speaking only for himself....

In an interview Thursday, Laura Bush told NBC News’ Tom Brokaw: "I don't know that we share that point of view. I mean, I think Zell Miller has a very interesting viewpoint, just like I had the personal viewpoint to talk about the president when I spoke on Tuesday night...."

A senior White House official, speaking to reporters before Bush's address Thursday night, said, "Senator Miller was speaking on behalf of himself and obviously on behalf of himself." ...

Today:

Campaigning here on Sunday, Mr. Bush invoked Mr. Miller's support as a reason Democrats and independents could feel comfortable voting for the Republican ticket. Mr. Bush has used a version of the same line at every campaign stop he has made since the end of his convention on Thursday night, and here, as in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Iowa and Ohio in recent days, it brought rousing cheers from the audience....

"See, my message is for everybody," Mr. Bush said after noting that the crowd included Mayor Jimmy Colombo of Parkersburg, a Democrat. "A safer, stronger, better America is for every citizen of this country. I think old Zell Miller set a pretty good tempo for Democrats all across the country. He made it clear it's all right to come and support the Bush ticket."...

Best friend to pariah to best friend again, all in the space of a week -- that's steadfast resolve!