Posted on 12/01/2004 3:17:08 PM PST by JustaCowgirl
JOHN WARD
OTTAWA (CP) - Tongue firmly in cheek, President George W. Bush (news - web sites) paid tribute Wednesday to his mythical Canadian supporter, Jean Poutine.
While he may have the reputation of a mangler of the English language, Bush used his Canadian visit to show that he - or his speech writers - can deliver a wit-laden line.
The quips during his Canadian visit covered the landscape from the mad cow crisis, to hockey, to protesters and even a Rick Mercer CBC spoof.
In Halifax on Wednesday, Bush gestured towards Prime Minister Paul Martin.
"Paul and I share a great vision for the future, two prosperous, independent nations joined together by the return of NHL hockey."
He referred to Mercer's spoof when the performer induced a campaigning Bush in 2000 into thanking an imaginary Prime Minister Jean Poutine for his support.
"I told Paul that I really have only one regret about this visit to Canada," Bush smiled. "There's a prominent citizen who endorsed me in the 2000 election, and I wanted a chance to finally thank him for that endorsement. I was hoping to meet Jean Poutine."
He put a little humour into the mad cow crisis: "I proudly ate some Alberta beef last night and I'm still standing."
He even quoted an old Canadian political line attributed to Bob Thompson, a 1960s leader of the now-defunct Social Credit party.
"The United States is our friend, whether we like it or not."
He paused for the laughter: "When all is said and done, we are friends. And we like it."
In Ottawa on Tuesday, he thanked Canadians for a warm welcome.
"I, frankly, felt like the reception we received on the way in from the airport was very warm and hospitable, and I want to thank the Canadian people who came out to wave - with all five fingers."
At his news conference, Martin noted the size of the audience.
"I noticed, Mr. President, you seem to draw a larger crowd than I do," he said.
"I don't know if that's good or bad," Bush replied. "It all depends on who shows up, I guess."
When a Radio Canada reporter said she would ask a question in French she suggested Bush use his translation earphone.
"Maybe I don't want to know the question," he replied.
Martin got into the act after the question.
"The question, what she said, I'll translate, was, 'don't you think Canada has a great government?'."
Bush was asked if proposed Canadian legislation to decriminalize marijuana would be a problem for the Canada-U.S. border.
"It will probably affect those who use marijuana a lot more than it will affect the border," he said.
At one point. Martin remarked that he enjoyed the joint news conference because Bush got all the questions.
John King of CNN was the next questioner, but found himself cut off by the president.
"Yes, King," Bush grinned. "Why don't you ask the prime minister a question? You heard him."
"I was just about to apologize for disappointing the prime minister," King replied before posing a question to Bush.
You didn't see Bush heading across the river for a visit to Quebec did you?
Meow...
His extemporaneous quips were funnier than the canned ones anyway.
Friends and neighbors may disagree, but that doesn't mean that they should ever become disagreeable.
If Bush is "dry," than people like Gore and Kerry must be "super-dry."
If Bush is "dry," then Gore and Kerry and most politicians must be turning stiff and starting to decompose.
Could the term "dry" mean something different in Canadian slang?
In this context, "dry" means "[e]xpressed in or marked by a matter-of-fact tone with feigned unawareness of humor." (From the Oxford English Dictionary.) To say that someone's humor is "dry" is actually a compliment. British politicians are often renowned for their dry humor.
Here is the link and you will get a big hoot out of this.
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1101855016327&call_pageid=968332188774&col=968350116467
I happened to catch the President's entire speech and it was great...he had just the right emphasis between humor and a serious, well reasoned explanation of why we are in Iraq...I thought it was one of his best speeches. He was warmly received as well.
Don't blame him. While "only" 48% of Canadians describe themselves as anti-American, 68% of the frenchies really hate him. The good news is 28% of Canadians have a much healthier attitude towards the Americans.
Exactly, and Canadians became very disagreeable.
"It will probably affect those who use marijuana a lot more than it will affect the border," he said
Adjusting his tie, he added "I'll be here all week."
The Toronto Star wants me to log in. I don't think I want to even dizzy my eyes with the, barf, Toronto Star.
As in 'dry wit,' perhaps. I guess you could say W sometimes has a dry wit, although his humor is more often a self-deprecating, down-home Texas kind of wit. Now Dick Cheney has a dry wit, he can sling some zingers.
That's what I was wondering! LOL
I know Paul Martin is liberal, but I can see he genuinely likes President Bush. When Martin was first elected and traveled to D.C. I remember he said at their joint press conference that he admired the way President Bush handled the press (another non-dry GWB outing).
You're exactly right -- Dick Cheney is probably the leading example of someone who has a dry wit. It's all in the delivery. He doesn't really change his tone, he just slips these devastating witticisms into his ordinary speech. It's a very effective form of humor.
I will post it, it is such a fun read. Also, Paul Martin is live on the CBC right now and he is cracking off GWB quips and getting big laughs.
TRY THIS LINK.
http://www.freedominion.ca/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=31854
she called us bastards.
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