Posted on 11/22/2004 7:42:52 AM PST by dead
WASHINGTON - President George W. Bush sent tongues wagging this week, planting kisses that to many Americans looked more personal than professional on his two women cabinet nominees.
Condoleezza Rice was given two affectionate kisses on the cheek when Bush introduced her at the White House on Tuesday as the new secretary of state.
Margaret Spellings, the new education secretary, was congratulated rather uniquely on a corner of the lips when she was presented the next day.
"Is there too much kissing going on at the White House?" said USA Today.
Could it be that the born-again Methodist president is adopting "continental" habits, newspapers questioned.
"It was such a ... European gesture for the aw-shucks-I'm-jes-a-Texan president," said USA Today.
The Washington Post cast doubt on this theory however.
"He did not execute the double buss that is used as a greeting throughout much of Europe, organised crime and the fashion industry," said the Post. "There was nothing international about Bush's kisses," it concluded.
But the Post did say that the kisses have become "much discussed".
"While it is common for politicians to hug and kiss indiscriminately on the campaign trail, it is another thing altogether to see the president planting his lips on potential - or current - members of his Cabinet."
New male representatives in the administration have to make do with a handshake and a presidential slap on the back.
But commentators highlighted how Bush may have been in a difficult position as he has known Rice and Spelling a long time.
Rice is a family friend as well as Bush's national security advisor in his first administration.
Spellings moved to the White House as domestic policy advisor after helping Bush when he was governor of Texas in the 1990s.
Agriculture Secretary Anne Veneman is also expected to stand down before Bush's new inauguration on January 20 and the chattering classes are now waiting to see whether the president puckers his lips for her too, the Post said.
AFP
At least he ain't giving out cigars that smell like Starkist. (sorry Charlie.)
So long as he doesn't pat any fannies...
Were they this concerned about the "kisses" Bubba was receiving from Monica?
Yawn, anything to try and tear the man down.
But oral sex is no big deal.
Jeez. we have Bubba in their using cigars on interns, and cheating at every opportunity... yet Bush, who clearly adores his wife is catching hell for publicly kissing someone on the cheek?
And they say americans are sexually repressed.
USA Today apparently doesn't want Presidents with good taste (GWB). They want Presidents that taste good (Bubba).
When I saw that picture of Bush giving Rice a peck on the cheek I knew it would only be a matter of time before the press started speculating about them having an affair. I bet some of them hope Rice can be Bush's Lewinski so they can kill two birds with one stone.
Watch your step W.
Nah.
I guess they'd rather he be raping them a la Clintoon?
Help! My eyes rolloed so far back in my head that I'm seeing upside down!
LOL!
This has to be the number one stupidest thing I have read in a long time!
Clinton was planting kisses on everything but womens cheeks for years and nothing was said about that - these people really need to "get a life"
You know...I get the impression that W is a guy who really loves women...he loves to hang out with women, he trusts women and he listens to their ideas. I see NOTHING inappropriate about those kisses. If he WAS inappropriate, there would be a line of women waiting to sue him for sexual harassment.
Hey W, any time, big guy! ;^)
Shoot, that speculation's been going on. Funny how some of the same folks who get offended at the implication that a woman would sleep her way to the top have no problem casting those aspersions on those they don't agree with/control.
http://www.sundaytimes.co.za/zones/sundaytimesNEW/basket11st/basket11st1101106554.aspx
Funny...they've never showed this much interest in who Clinton was kissing. (...make that EITHER Clinton)
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