"Lauratsje, that was Russian Vodka, what a day we had!/a>Posted on 05/26/2002 5:31:50 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
May 26, 2002
WHITE HOUSE NOTEBOOK: Travel, Late Night Take Toll on Bush By Ron Fournier The Associated Press
PARIS (AP) - Maybe it was the late night out. Maybe the long flights.
Whatever the cause, it was a tired President Bush who stood at a news conference podium Sunday alongside the much more animated - and talkative - French President Jacques Chirac.
Bush responded testily to a question about anti-American sentiment and was a bit crabby around his staff.
No wonder.
Bush, who likes to go to bed about 9:30 p.m., was up past midnight Saturday night on a cruise with Russian President Vladimir Putin in St. Petersburg, Russia. Then it was up in the morning for visits to a church and synagogue before flying to Paris - his fourth city and third country in five days.
So when a reporter posed a three-part question, Bush answered one part and forgot the rest.
"I'm jet-lagged," he said.
Reminded of the other two questions, Bush offered another explanation for the memory lapse.
"That's what happens when you're over 55," he said.
He turns 56 in July.
---
It wasn't exactly what an overtired president needed at the moment.
Chirac opened the news conference with an 11-minute statement - an eternity by U.S. presidential news conference standards. He reviewed, one by one, the points they had discussed privately. There was terrorism, Russia, NATO, the U.S. farm bill, the environment, globalization, the Middle East and the India-Pakistan conflict.
Secretary of State Colin Powell and White House chief of staff Andrew Card could be seen checking their watches.
Bush's opening statement followed, clocking in at three minutes.
---
Despite being overtired - or maybe because of it - Bush couldn't resist directing some zingers at the press.
A French reporter asked him which was a more important ally in the war against terrorism - Russia or Western Europe - and implored Bush not to say "both."
Bush's response was immediate: "Both."
After the question was repeated - Bush apparently had difficulty at first understanding the reporter's heavy accent - the president had another answer.
"Decisive ally? Of course, Jacques Chirac," he said, the French president standing beside him. "Listen, thank you for the trick question."
Later, when an American reporter asking Bush about anti-U.S. sentiment used French to direct the same question at Chirac, Bush teased him, saying he "memorizes four words and he plays like he's intercontinental."
"I'm impressed. Que bueno," Bush said. "Now, I'm literate in two languages."
---
Bush told reporters that his appearance Monday at Normandy, France, would mark the first for a U.S. president
"We do believe this is the first time a president has been out of the country for Memorial Day," Bush said.
Well, not exactly.
After the news conference, National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice said Bush was actually would be the first U.S. president to commemorate Memorial Day in official ceremonies off U.S. soil.
Well, not exactly.
Aides later realized that Bush's father commemorated Memorial Day in Italy. Rice was a tad embarrassed; she worked for Bush's father at the time.
---
Bush's morning began on a more serious note. In his visits to the church and synagogue Sunday morning, Bush praised Russia's steps toward religion freedom.
"One of my strong beliefs is that people should be free to worship, and I'm pleased that is taking place in Russia," Bush said outside Grand Choral Synagogue. "It is important for this country that religious freedom flourish and that there be tolerance for all faiths."
The synagogue in Putin's hometown remained open during the Soviet era, but Jews who came to worship were harassed by government police. Before visiting Grand Choral, Bush attended services at Kazan Cathedral, which under communism had been the city's Museum of Atheism.
Taking note of that past, Bush said, "I'm impressed by what I've heard from religious leaders, Christian and Jewish here, about the state of affairs in Russia."
AP-ES-05-26-02 1816EDT
Gives them a chance to practice their favorite phrase:
"We surrender!"
Here's a clue: Why didn't you ask Chirac why it is the Europeans are perceived as IDIOTS and UPPITY KNOW NOTHINGS from the American perspective?
Also, is it me or does France just royally suck more today than usual?? I think it's because they have demonstrators with no freaking clue. Do you see Americans protesting when the Chirac or anyone else is here? No! Do you know why? Because we don't find any darn European leader relevant. To protest makes them relevant!
So what!
LOL, I loved that one. Too bad he didn't answer Russia, that would have thrown the French poodles for a loop.
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