American Idle

President Bush takes a break this afternoon from the Middle-East-in-flames, job-approval-in-the-toilet White House doldrums when he welcomes some genuinely popular people into the Oval Office.

Yes, Taylor Hicks and the nine other American Idol finalists are coming to visit the president today.

Unless British Prime Minister Tony Blair (also visiting today) somehow gets Bush to abandon his laissez-faire approach to Lebanon, the Idol visit is likely to be the story -- or at least the image -- of the day here.

Jim Puzzanghera writes for the Los Angeles Times: "It's not as if the blockbuster Fox show needs more publicity. The season's finale drew 36.38 million viewers, behind only the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards this year, and its 10 top performers are in the midst of a summer concert tour.

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

Puzzanghera also notes: "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."

David Jackson writes in USA Today: "Visiting with the most recent stars of the Fox TV show is the latest example of Bush being a regular guy, exuding a down-home style that has been both a blessing and curse to the president.

"His aides say Bush likes to show a lighter side, taking the edge off weighty matters that come with his job. Some critics, though, say some of these moments demonstrate a lack of seriousness. . . .

"Wayne Fields, director of American culture studies at Washington University in St. Louis, said these moments help Bush relate to average Americans.

" 'The problem,' he added, 'is that in times of real crisis, people begin to think maybe you need somebody who is extraordinary.' "

Here is USA Today's Bush-as-regular-guy photo gallery .

Norah O'Donnell reported for NBC this morning that "presidents have long sought a little star quality."