MEXICAN PAPERS HAVE PICKED UP BUSH'S THREATS

Mark Kleiman says that he would imagine that folks in Mexico have picked up on Bush's recent remarks darkly hinting at popular reprisals against Mexican-Americans if Mexico doesn't go with the U.S. resolution on Iraq. Indeed. The basic response, however, has been to record and downplay the threats.

The conservative El Economista claims that the remarks were merely a hardline negotiating tactic -- but they believed that Bush said them and meant to say what the reports claim he said, pace the Conspiracy. El Norte records the remarks here and here but doesn't comment on them extensively.

The Mexican press has picked up on these comments already. I haven't seen any extensive reporting of the Administration trying to correct a perceived misunderstanding.

Could it be that there isn't much need for comment because few in Mexico are seriously shocked at the idea that Mexican-Americans could be the targets of anger and abuse in the U.S.? Just a thought.