Friedman is struck because ...

"I have been struck by how many foreign dignitaries have begged me lately for news that Bush will lose." (Tom Friedman)

Foreign dignitaries are eager to get news that Bush will lose. Of course they asked about Bush to Friedman. Friedman is struck because he did not consider himself to be so important a person that dignitaries would beg him for any news.

Foreign dignitaries are eager to get news that Bush will lose. Of course they asked about Bush to Friedman. Friedman is struck because he did not think so many dignitaries would be eager to get news that Bush will lose.

Foreign dignitaries are eager to get news that Bush will lose. But nobody asked anything about Bush to Friedman. Friedman is struck because he was so full of himself that he expected dignitaries to beg him for news.

Foreign dignitaries do not bother about what'll happen to Bush. Nobody asked anything about Bush to Friedman. Friedman is struck because he thought dignitaries should be eager to get news about Bush.

Foreign dignitaries do not bother about what'll happen to Bush. Nobody asked anything about Bush to Friedman. Friedman is struck because he expected the dignitaries to talk to him about what interests him.

Foreign dignitaries do not bother about what'll happen to Bush. Still they asked about Bush's chances to Friedman. Friedman is struck because dignitaries were kind to talk to Friedman about what interests him.