Barroso's thermostat set on cool for Bush

The International Herald Tribune ^ | Feb. 22, 2005 | John Vinocur

[untenured]

BRUSSELS It was as if a visitor to the office of the president of the European Commission was watching caution's cloak descend in slo-mo over José Manuel Barroso's shoulders, and eurospeak, like a Denver boot, clamp tightly onto his tongue.

A yellow go-slow light seemed to bathe the room. A gentle, nonconfrontational question had been soft-tossed in his direction - how would the European Union's top guy define himself for George W. Bush, who is his guest at dinner tonight? - and Barroso came back with a belt-and-suspenders answer:

"As a committed European who wants to work in a loyal and friendly manner with the United States."

(Snip)

One more mildly fraught subject: the E-word. About 15 months ago, when asked what he thought of the use of the word emancipation by both Schröder and Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt of Belgium to describe Europe's distance-taking from the United States, Barroso, with bracing disdain, shot back, "Emancipation?" Same question last week, and he produced a line about his respect for his colleagues. Verhofstadt, who furiously sought the job as commission president that Barroso won, later contended the Americans had somehow foiled him in revenge.

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Two questions to ask yourself. How much of the world knows who Barrose is?

How much of the world knows who George W. Bush is?

Barroso is such a little insignificient twerp.

[CivilWarguy]

And Barroso headed what passes for a rightist government in Portugal.

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Ya know, If I were a sloppy tender person I might feel pity for someone so pathetic they have to slam a great President to make themselves look better. But, alas, I am not in a pittying mood today for idiots such as he.

He sounds more like our leftist here. The delusional critter.

God help Europe with such as he doing the speaking for them.