Live 8 Guys

This week's issue of Time contains a question and answer session with three of Live 8's big guns--Bob Geldof, Bono, and Richard Curtis (screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral and Notting Hill).

A comment worth noting by Geldof:

GELDOF America doesn't have a lack of empathy; they just don't know the issues as well. Actually, today I had to defend the Bush Administration in France again. They refuse to accept, because of their political ideology, that he has actually done more than any American President for Africa. But it's empirically so.

Previously, Bono had been discussing how important America is in solving the crisis in Africa. Unsurprisingly, the U.S. is being called on to come to the rescue.

BONO The missing piece in a way is in the U.S. What Bob provides with his steel and fund raising and what Richard provides in terms of community in the cinematic arts and as a writer with his ability to deliver a message, I feel like I've been trying to do in the U.S.—but I'm not American. Really, until today, when Russell Simmons called and offered to help, we haven't had the American sense of ownership that we should. It's a real problem. I think it's going to turn around. But we've started very late.

HAVE YOU TAILORED YOUR MESSAGE IN EACH G-8 COUNTRY, AND IF SO, HOW HAVE YOU TAILORED YOUR MESSAGE TO AMERICANS?

BONO Warren Buffett gave me the best advice on this subject. He said, "Don't appeal to the conscience of America. Appeal to the greatness of America, and you'll get the job done."

CURTIS Insert in there "remarkably accurate impression of Warren Buffett."

BONO Onstage I talk about my first impression of Americans, which was watching a man walk on the moon. We thought, Americans are mad! But look what they can do when they get organized.

In other words, more American tax dollars should be put toward eliminating poverty in Africa.

BONO The most important and toughest nut is still President Bush. He feels he's already doubled and tripled aid to Africa, which he has.

But he started from far too low a place. He can stand there and say he paid at the office already. He shouldn't, because he'll be left out of the history books. But it's hard for him because of the expense of the war and the debts. But I have a hunch that he will step forward with something. And it'll take somebody like him ...

At least Geldof and Bono give President Bush credit, citing the fact that he has done more than any other American president to aid Africa--more than Noble laureate Jimmy Carter did and more than Bill "I feel your pain" Clinton did.

They are also careful not to alienate and criticize Bush and Americans. They're savvy enough to know that heated, reckless rhetoric is not the way to lobby for assistance.

Clearly, Geldof and Bono have better diplomatic skills than the American left.

For example, Rule number one: Don't call Bush "Hitler."

Rule number two: Don't call him a liar.

Rule number three: Acknowledge and be grateful for what Bush has already done when asking for more help.

I think the Dems could benefit by utilizing the Geldof/Bono approach. Good things can be accomplished through civil and respectful behavior.