Names & Faces: How Not to Grill a Hungry Man [Bush humor]

The Washington Post ^ | January 23, 2004 | Anne Schroeder (wire reports)

[JohnnyZ]

How Not to Grill a Hungry Man

When the president's hungry, don't ask him about homeland security. Don't ask him anything, actually -- the man's gotta have his ribs.

NBC White House correspondent David Gregory got a refresher course in Economics 101 yesterday in New Mexico when President Bush and his press pool stopped by Nothin' Fancy Cafe in Roswell.

"Sir," Gregory began, "on homeland security, critics would say you simply haven't spent enough to keep the country secure."

"My job is to secure the homeland and that's exactly what we're going to do," Bush said. "But I'm here to take somebody's order. That would be you, Stretch. What would you like? Put some of your high-priced money right here to try to help the local economy. You get paid a lot of money; you ought to be buying some food here. It's part of how the economy grows. You've got plenty of money in your pocket, and when you spend it, it drives the economy forward. So what would you like to eat?"

[JohnnyZ]

There are four items in the full article, including Ben & Jen, Tom Brady's SOTU appearance, Marion Barry, and the full President Bush encounter.

[Lead Moderator]

It probably is still too much. Maybe about half of what you posted.

[mhking]

"But I'm here to take somebody's order. That would be you, Stretch. What would you like? Put some of your high-priced money right here to try to help the local economy. You get paid a lot of money; you ought to be buying some food here. It's part of how the economy grows. You've got plenty of money in your pocket, and when you spend it, it drives the economy forward. So what would you like to eat?"

Just damn.

If you want on the list, FReepmail me. This IS a high-volume PING list...

[JohnnyZ]

Thanks. Whatever happened to Auto-Excerpt? Oh well.

[JennysCool]

Now THAT'S a keeper!

[tdunbar]

Gregory, hungry for answers, tried again: "What do you think of the Democratic field, sir?"

Bush: "See, his job is to ask questions. He thinks my job is to answer every question he asks. I'm here to help this restaurant by buying food."

[Paradox]

I saw the video of that exchange (MSNBC), and it was kinda weird, the President acting like that, a bit too flippant, in my opinion. Kinda funny too.

[Onelifetogive]

Is there a difference between high-priced money and low-priced money?

Just ask a Canadian....

[Redbob]

"High-priced money" is what Washington correspondents earn, if the observer is from West Texas.

[The G Man]

Saw this last night on Deborah Norville's show. She did a little segment on it about whether W stiffed the restaurant by not tipping on a takeout order.

I thought it was kinda funny. He just loves to push David Gregory's buttons.

[Riley]

Makes perfect sense to me. Sometimes it's just time to eat.
Life's bigger questions can wait until I'm through. I am approaching that point right now, as a matter of fact.
:-)

[babaloo]

I loved it when he gave Gregory the business for speaking French (or was it asking a question in French?)at a news conference. Basically told him to stop showing off.

[JohnnyZ]

If only I had cable, huh? It's past time for me to eat, so I'm going -- let me know if the thread turns series.

[waRNmother.armyboots]

Uhh...I must be out of touch. I do not know of anyone who tips for a take out order. Otherwise I think the President was quite clear. He was not wanting to answer questions at that time.

[The G Man]

Yep, you said it. And the immediate concensus was that no, he did not have to tip on a takeout order (like, duh!)

[stylin_geek]

Yeah, but it is apparent from the President's remarks that he thinks there is a time and place for everything, and it was neither the time or place. Now, think about a certain past President. Think he would have passed up this kind of opportunity to pander to the press? Gregory is still living under the Clinton rules of press, and keeps forgetting someone else is in charge.

[Paradox]

Now, think about a certain past President.

Ya mean the last President? I think he would have been too busy stuffin his face with the ribs!

[stylin_geek]

Yes, a perfect photo op to show how he is just a "regular joe." I admit I'm being somewhat tongue in cheek, but the contrasts between the last President and the new President are obvious, and the media does not appear to like it or get it.

[Cable225]

Uhh...I must be out of touch. I do not know of anyone who tips for a take out order.

Me. I tip for take out.

I also tip the lady that gets my bagel in the morning, the kid at Dairy Queen that scoops out ice cream cones, the mailman, the garbage-truck guys, and anyone else in any service industry that does something for me in the course of my day.

I don't know about "out of touch", though. Lots of people don't know when (or how) to tip.