(2003-12-01) -- In what is described as the "next wave of compassionate conservatism" President George Bush today threw his support behind government financing of the proposed new liberal radio network. The move comes just a week after Republicans in Congress pushed through a Medicare reform bill that created a huge new taxpayer-funded prescription drug benefit.

The network, which will feature talkshows hosted by the likes of Al Franken and Janeane Garofalo, is scheduled to begin broadcasting in the spring of 2004.

Mr. Bush today said he favors "a $400 billion flat-out government grant" to Progress Media, the company behind the liberal radio network.

"I have no idea how we'll pay for that, but our nation's liberals are entitled to an outlet for their views," said Mr. Bush. "They represent the great generation that built the Great Society, which is what they used to call compassionate conservatism back in the 1960s."