The War in Iraq, the War in Afghanistan, Al Qaeda’s dangerous network, the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Katrina, the war raging in the Middle East, American workers earning a measly $5.15/hr minimum wage, the prospect of no more Social Security, etc. etc.

These are just SOME of the problems facing America and the world at the moment. However, in the spirit of boozy Friday, President Bush today will receive a very special envoy at the White House today. An envoy that has given us so much joy, ample love and above all, that has given us the gift of song–mostly crappy crappy songs, but musical notes, nonetheless. Yes, DoubleSpeak readers, today the Prez welcomes this season’s American Idols. What war in the Middle East?

As a taxpayer, I say that when an envoy such as this comes to greet the President, the White House should shut off the A/C – it’s costing too much as it is to chill that place and well, frankly, all non-essential people to visit the White House don’t deserve to breathe the hard-earned fruits of taxpayer money.

But Bush could use a ratings boost — for months, polls have consistently shown fewer than four in 10 Americans approve of his job performance.

It’s the first time “American Idol” stars — or those from any reality TV show — have earned a White House meeting. Hicks, along with Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin and the show’s other finalists, will visit Bush in the Oval Office this afternoon, give him a gift and pose for pictures.

Although the president is following a time-honored tradition of hosting popular champions at the White House, the juxtaposition with world events could strike some as a bit jarring. Earlier in the day, Bush will meet with British Prime Minister Tony Blair to discuss the battle between Israel and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah militants, and the continuing sectarian violence in Baghdad.

“It can be tricky, when the Middle East is falling apart, to be spending time with the winner of ‘American Idol,’ ” said Darrell West, a political scientist at Brown University in Rhode Island. “There’s the risk that people will ask, ‘Doesn’t this guy have something better to do? Shouldn’t he be solving foreign crises?’ ”

UPDATE: Photos with the Prez

They say you can’t put a price on success, but well, you can put a price on utter, downright failure. Here’s what they make over there at the White House.

Oh, and if you thought that wasn’t enough…Think Progress has more on The Four Most Overpaid White House Staffers.

Have you seen the video from Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner? If not, Stephen Colbert was amazing! Check it out…

Stephen Colbert Talks Smack

Tony Snow, the former Fox News anchor who will serve as White House Press Secretary did an interview with Bill Sammon of The Examiner. Here are some excerpts. Read to the bottom.

Snow on calling Bush an embarrassment:

I knew it was something I’d have to deal with, but ironically, I had to deal with it the first time I went into the White House. I’d also been somewhat critical of the first President Bush.

Snow on DNC Chairman Howard Dean:

Howard Dean was the one public figure who came out hard, but Howard doesn’t know me.

Snow on Bush’s low polling numbers:

When you have a president in the 30s and Congress in the 20s, that’s bad. And I think one way you restore it is by behaving, by acting in a genial way.

Snow on President Bush punching his critics in the face:

President George W. Bush balling up his fist and knocking people’s teeth out…PRICELESS.

Flashback: Vice President Dick Cheney shoots a man in the face, neck and heart.

The White House has a new punching bag. Ladies and gentleman, we give you Fox News anchor Tony Snow.

God speed Tony! You’ll need it!

New York Times:

On another front, Republicans said that Tony Snow, a commentator for Fox News and a former speechwriter for Mr. Bush’s father, was in negotiations for the job of White House press secretary. Mr. Snow would replace Scott McClellan, who announced Wednesday that he was resigning.

Looks like Harriet Miers is out too!

Things aren’t getting any better for the incompetent and weak Bush Administration after this morning’s China “gaffe.” That is if you consider abolishing freedom of speech only a gaffe. This time, it was only the name of the country they got wrong.

As Bush and Hu stood at attention outside the White House, an announcer said, “Ladies and gentlemen, the national anthem of the Republic of China, followed by the national anthem of the United States of America.”

“Republic of China” is the formal name of the island 100 miles off the Chinese mainland. China is known formally as the People’s Republic of China.

They really just can’t do anything right.