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.
Since when did George Bush have a "dry image"?
Classic Bush! I love it!
See? See? BushisanidiotBushisanidiot...
< /liberalparrot>
I don't know, maybe he has that image with the Canadians? He sure doesn't have that rep with Americans
There are some really good lines here. Bush may not always be the most articulate man in public life, but he's very quick-witted and he's certainly nobody's fool. I entirely believe the analysis that determined, based on tests they took in the military, that Bush has a higher IQ than Kerry. And I'm almost certain he's smarter than Gore.
The best was yesterday when he said he appreciated those that waved with all 5 fingers...LOL!
He's a natural comedian.
President Bush came through big time. His visit has this country abuzz and acomplished many good things for Canadian Conservatives.
"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."
I agree!
Classic Bush! I love it!
That was a GREAT extemporaneous quip. It had to be off the top of his head, because it was a response to an unexpected question at the press conference.
If Bush is "dry," than people like Gore and Kerry must be "super-dry."
Really?? Do tell!! I want to hear more!
Stupid leftists seem to have no sense of humour. I heard someone call his comment about Jean Poutine a gaff - the leftists left out the fact that it was a JOKE. It is too bad the commies were out in force with their idiocy of making Bush and America out to be the baddies.
Since when did George Bush have a "dry image"?
That was my thought exactly when I first saw this headline. Bush has always, ALWAYS been very witty and funny and certainly not "dry."
Also, the line about how his "speech writers" might be funny was, of course, a little jab to say that Bush himself cannot really be witty (when, of course, if you read the article you see that a lot of the humor was Bush's adlibs during the press conference).
The headline is the equivalent of saying "Bill Clinton Shakes His Puritanical Nature And Talks About Sex"
Everybody's smarter than Gore.
I also heard he snubbed Layton and the Bloc of Bosheviks for a private meeting with Harper?
That's great to hear, albertabound. He is quite a man, and of course is much loved and appreciated by a wide segment of America.
But he does what he feels he needs to do, and doesn't worry about popularity. That's part of what makes him so very special -- and so very much disliked.
Bush has a "dry image"? Really?
Compared to such personable icons of warmth such as Chretien, Carolyn Parrish, or Peter Jennings?
Bush is a helluva great guy and while he's no Ronal Reagan, he's light years ahead of the stellar leadership Canada has been known for over the last fifty years.
Canada was at her peak when Victoria was Queen...and that's been a while.
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