Before you get your free ticket to see the president, a Republican has some questions for you

Bush was in Albuquerque, New Mexico, last week for another campaign stop “town hall” meeting to discuss privatizing Social Security. As usual, tickets were distributed through a local Republican office. But in a move that may be less common, the GOP office quizzed would-be attendees before making the free tickets available. (via Froomkin)

A spokesperson for Republican Sen. Pete Domenici’s office, the office that distributed most of the tickets, told the Journal’s Michael Coleman that people requesting tickets were actually quizzed about their views of the president and his plans for Social Security. (emphasis added)

Welcome to the brave new world of over-the-top media manipulation. No critical questions, no spontaneity, nothing left to chance.