Posted on 05/16/2006 6:27:27 PM PDT by Aussie Dasher
IF politics is showbiz for ugly people, John Howard has just won an Oscar.
In front of a packed press conference in the White House, US President George W Bush outlined the reasons for his close friendship with the Australian prime minister - and it sure isn't his looks.
In the space of one answer, Mr Bush described the man standing by his side as bald and no oil painting - but a terrific leader.
And Mr Bush put paid to any thought that Mr Howard might be retiring at the end of this year, saying he did not expect to have to develop a similar relationship with another Australian prime minister. "I suspect he's going to outlast me, so that is a moot point," Mr Bush told reporters.
"Somebody said, 'gosh, you and John Howard appear to be so close, don't you have any differences?', and I said, yeah, he doesn't have any hair."
Mr Howard - and the room, including Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - burst into laughter.
But it got worse for the prime minister as Mr Bush warmed to his description.
Mr Howard's word was his bond, Mr Bush said.
"In order to work together to make difficult decisions, decisions of war and peace, decisions of security, decisions of trade, you've got to have ... somebody you're talking to who tells you straight up what's on their mind," the president said.
"Politics sometimes produces people that'll tell you one thing and don't mean it.
"It's really hard to be making rational decisions if somebody you're talking to just doesn't level with you. "And that's what I like about John Howard.
"He may not be the prettiest person on the block, but when he tells you something you can take it to the bank. He is a reliable partner."
Mr Bush said he did not agree with Mr Howard on everything, but he trusted him.
He was also capable of standing by his decisions, Mr Bush said.
"Your campaign was right before my campaign and John Howard stood strong. I remember something when the polls didn't look real good and I remember saying, 'this man is going to be rewarded at the ballot box because the people of Australia want somebody who's consistently strong, not somebody who's going to walk around trying to figure out where to end up for political expediency," he said.
"You may not agree with his position on every issue but you must agree with the fact that he's a man of conviction, and that's the essence of leadership - courage and conviction."
Americans can be counted on for that.
Yep. We're rude and rough on the edges, but who would you rather have watching your back? The French? The Germans?
We're in no way offended by the President's remarks. Pretty funny, actually!
Not at all...Not at all.
This thread is being hijacked. Remain in your seats. We are returning to the airport.
John Howard may be no Brad Pitt, but from what little I know of Aussie politics, he's a helluva leader!
Lets Roll!
I'm sure both leaders regret that photo!
I'm delighted Dubya is strictly adhering to Rule 1!
He's heading off to Canada to meet the new kid on the block, then to Ireland for...who knows...
Right from the horse's mouth...
Howard should have reached over and slapped him up side the head...
I would have said, "ya, but ugly can be fixed...Stupid can't...
You are living proof of that.
"Bit bloody rude!!! :)"
That's why Americans and Aussies get along so well; they share a common trait and can laugh about it.
Now, of course, singing "Alice" in a bar at the top of your lungs is also a bit rude but I, along with a lot of Aussies, Canucks, etc., have done it gleefully.
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