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
It depends on the meaning of the word "is."
Do you mean the "is" that was the "is" back then, or do you mean the "is" that is the "is" right now? Could you be a little more specific?
What is the definition of 'kiss'?
;-)
LOLOL!
Oh God, I'm sure glad I'd swallowed that last gulp of coffe before scrolling to this pic! It would be have been a mess all over the 19" LCD. Thanks for the late morning laugh!!
-"He did not execute the double buss that is used as a greeting throughout much of Europe..."-
That'd be the Kiss of Death.
I think Maggie Sperling may have moved at the wrong time and Dubya planted a smootch on the side of her lips when he was going for the cheek!
These people are nothing short of PATHETIC!
I agree the lip kiss with Maggie Spellings was likely unintentional. But he then he probably smiled and raised his eyebrows, which of course made the "double-buss press" furious.
I'd cheer 1,000 of his kisses any day
vs a half one of Billdo's.
It's obvious his relationship with Laura is the super priority one of his life--as far as mortal humans goes, anyway!
I'm confident his relationship with God is more important than even that one.
I'd cheer 1,000 of his kisses any day
vs a half one of Billdo's.
It's obvious his relationship with Laura is the super priority one of his life--as far as mortal humans goes, anyway!
I'm confident his relationship with God is more important than even that one.
Good grief! They sure are desperate for a scandal (any scandal) to bring him down. Pathetic.
They are REALLY scraping bottom with this piece of perfect BS...
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.