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[Tyrone Slothrop]

• President George W. Bush arrived on schedule. He gave his speech. He moderated a panel of five people on a makeshift stage in front of a sign that said "Strengthening America's Economy." He wove their stories seamlessly into the fabric of his re-election campaign. He engaged in self-deprecating humor that even a detractor might find charming.
  
  And then he left -- to a standing ovation -- shaking hands all the way to the exit door of U.S.A. Industries in Bay Shore, where his campaign made this first of three stops on Long Island yesterday.
  
  Security people kept reporters from interviewing the workers at U.S.A. until the president was on the way to his next stop.
  
  But when workers were finally interviewed -- these people who made up the bulk of the president's cheering audience in New York -- Bush's performance turned out to be, if anything, even more impressive.
  
  "No speak English," said the first worker, smiling apologetically.
  
  "No speak English," said the second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth workers way-laid in the crowd.
  
  But you think the tax cuts should be made permanent, as he says?
  
  "Sorry, no English," said another.

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