Posted on 05/28/2005 3:32:36 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush -- and the dogs, of course -- are spending a quiet weekend at Camp David. They will return to the White House Sunday to be on hand for Monday's traditional Memorial Day activities. Today, Saturday, May 28, 2005, marks something of a red-letter day, because Tom Raum of the Associated Press actually reported the following remarkable piece -- a left-handed compliment, to be sure, but a compliment nevertheless. Mr. Raum has covered Washington for The Associated Press since 1973, including five presidencies.
Newsview: Bush's Global Clout Seen GrowingBy TOM RAUM, Associated Press Writer, Sat May 28,12:49 PM ET.
WASHINGTON - In the rarified club of world leaders, President Bush has taken his share of lumps. Critics have railed against his handling of Iraq, his perceived disdain for the United Nations and what they say is a swaggering approach to foreign policy.
But Bush probably would not want to trade places with any other head of state.
Nearly all his fellow leaders of the world's big industrial democracies have stumbled. It has left them vulnerable at home and weakener on the world stage.
The president, through it all, is riding what he sees as a strong re-election mandate to trumpet his goal of spreading democracy.
That helps explains why Bush, despite a slip in his approval rating among Americans, may find himself holding the stronger hand when he travels in early July to Scotland for the annual summit of the leaders of the eight major industrialized democracies.
"His counterparts all face ill political winds that make their domestic positions rather precarious," said Charles Kupchan, director of European studies with the Council on Foreign Relations, a private research group. "I do think it puts Bush in an advantageous position."
It is not the best of times be a world leader:
_Britain's Tony Blair, Bush's chief ally on Iraq, did win re-election this month to a third term as prime minister. But he prevailed by drastically reduced margins for his Labour Party, threatening his leadership abilities.
_Italy's prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi, also a strong supporter of U.S. policy in Iraq, has seen parties in his government coalition lose in regional and local elections. Defeats even forced his resignation, although he cobbled together a new coalition to regain power.
_German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, a vocal critic of the Iraq war, has called for national elections for this fall — a year early. That followed his party's crushing defeat in Germany's most populous region. The loss, he said, cost him the mandate he needs to fix Germany's struggling economy.
_French President Jacques Chirac, also a foe of U.S. policy in Iraq, is taking heat for his decision to call a referendum on the European Union's first constitution. It's set him up for what could be a humiliating defeat. Chirac's approval ratings have declined and he faces opposition from within his own party.
_Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin faces serious challenges and demands that he resign. The House of Commons tied on a vote of confidence this month. It took a vote by the parliament speaker to give Martin's minority government a one-vote victory. Canada pledged to tighten its borders after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. But Ottawa has declined to send troops to Iraq or sign on to the U.S. missile defense shield.
_Japan's prime minister, Junichiro Koizumi, finds his popularity lagging after four years on the job. It's down about half from the 80 percent he once enjoyed. Koizumi may be in better shape than his European counterparts. But weighing him down are tensions with North Korea and China, and public concern about expected tax cuts and pension restructuring.
_Russian President Vladimir Putin has sought to consolidate power and exercise more control over regional leaders. But his rollback of press and political freedoms, and his pursuit of oil giant Yukos, have drawn international condemnation and clouded Russia's business climate.
Analysts see common themes for the leaders' tough times: high unemployment and slow growth in Germany and France; social tensions associated with Muslim immigration; and a backlash against "globalization" as industries move their operations to low-wage countries.
Bush himself is having trouble on Social Security, judicial nominations and other domestic priorities. Yet, analysts suggest, the president has had a strong run internationally over the past few months — even with the continuing violence in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He persuaded European powers to negotiate with Iran over Tehran's nuclear ambitions. He watched democratic elections and the formation of a new government in Iraq. He successfully prodded Syria to withdraw from Lebanon.
And he is taking an active role in trying to nudge Israelis and Palestinians toward peace.
France's ambassador to the United States spoke recently of the effect of Bush's winning a second term.
"The moment President Bush was re-elected, he extended the hand of friendship and cooperation to the leaders of Europe," said Jean-David Levitte. "Style has changed."
PRESIDENTIAL SCHEDULE: Once again Press Secretary Scott McClellan did not announce a week-ahead schedule. However, I obtained the following from various news reports.
Monday, The President will lay a wreath at Arlington National Cemetary and participate in traditional Memorial Day ceremonies and rememberances in Washington.
Thursday, GWB will travel to Hopkinsville, Ky., to speak about Social Security reform. He will fly into Fort Campbell Army Airfield before heading to the Hopkinsville-Christian County Conference and Convention Center. The President last visited Hopkinsville while campaigning for the presidency in May 2000. He last visited Fort Campbell in March 2004 when he came to address the thousands of soldiers who had returned from combat duty in Iraq.
Friday, President Bush will address the Organization of American States on June 6 at the group's annual meeting. The United States has not hosted the General Assembly since 1974. The three-day OAS General Assembly in Fort Lauderdale brings together the foreign ministers from most of the 34 OAS member nations. The meeting will be chaired by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.
President and Mrs. Bush will travel to Denmark prior to his participation in the G8 Summit in Gleneagles, Scotland. The President's bilateral program in Denmark will take place on July 6th. Denmark is a close friend and ally of the United States, and Prime Minister Rasmussen is a strong proponent of effective transatlantic cooperation.
QUOTE OF THE DAY: From today's Presidential Radio Address:
This year marks the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, a victory for freedom in which more than 400,000 Americans gave their lives. Today a new generation of Americans is making its own sacrifice on behalf of peace and freedom, and some have given their lives.
In their hometowns, these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines are more than names on a roll of honor. They were friends and neighbors, teachers and coaches, classmates and colleagues. Each was the most important person in someone's life; each had hopes for the future, and each left a place that can never be filled.
We mourn their loss, and we honor their sacrifice. We pray for their families. And we take heart in knowing that these men and women believed deeply in what they were fighting for. Christopher Swisher was a staff sergeant from Lincoln, Nebraska, who joined the Army a year after graduating from high school. He was killed in an ambush while on patrol in Baghdad. Sergeant Swisher told his loved ones: "If anything happens to me, I'm doing what I want to be doing -- I'm protecting my family and my home."
Rafael Peralta also understood that America faces dangerous enemies, and he knew the sacrifices required to defeat them. An immigrant from Mexico, he enlisted in the Marine Corps the day after he got his green card. Just before the battle of Fallujah, he wrote his 14-year-old brother, "We are going to defeat the insurgents. Be proud of me, I'm going to make history and do something that I always wanted to do." A few days later, Sergeant Peralta gave his life to save his fellow Marines.
I'll take some pictures and post them tomorrow night
When my kids whine about a minor hurt, I always ask, "Do we need to amputate?" Then I tell the other kid to get the cutting board and knife . . . they especially think it's funny if they've hit their head or of course, if it is anywhere near their bottom . . .
Have a good day tomorrow, Mike!
Goodnight, snugs!
Mystery--how's Brandon?
I like that quote--I feel as safe as I possibly can knowing the Pres. is the Pres. If it was the "other" one, I'd fear for my safety every day.
ENJOY your evening alone--I'm alone till Monday night! (except for the three cats, three dogs, 7 sheep, and guinea pig . . . )
Thanks
I was a sloth today too! I sat out on the deck for awhile, did some proofreading, cleaned the kitchen, took a nap, sat on the deck, AND JUST NOW AM WATCHING THE SCIFI CHANNEL--I'm glad someone else likes those mindless, predictable movies . . . now I'm ready to get in the whirlpool tub with a nice cold margarita. We all need those days!
I assume you don't want me to amputate . . .
Hope you start feeling better.
As a counter to the comment in the opening article that the President's job approval has slipped, I thought you might appreciate reading RASMUSSEN'S POLL RESULTS FROM TODAY:
[CAVEAT: Currently, ALL pollsters, including Rasmussen, are OVERSAMPLING Democrats/Democrat-leaning Independents -- Gallup's recent poll was particularly outrageous with a sample featuring 51% Democrats/leaners vs 40% Republicans/leaners -- so we must take their results with a BIG 'grain of salt' . . . That said, Rasmussen tends to be a little less biased than the others.]
JOB APPROVAL:
51% [58% among married couples!]
FILIBUSTER COMPROMISE:
Survey of 1,000 Adults
March 26-27, 2005
May 28, 2005--Just 22% of Americans have a favorable opinion of the filibuster compromise reached last week in the judicial nomination battle. A Rasmussen Reports survey of 1,000 American adults found that 37% have an unfavorable opinion.
. . . Among Republicans, 21% have a favorable opinion of the compromise while 42% hold an unfavorable view. For Democrats, the numbers are 25% favorable and 35% unfavorable.
Twenty-six percent (26%) of Republicans have a favorable opinion of the fourteen Senators who made the deal. Thirty-six percent (36%) of the GOP faithful have an unfavorable opinion
. . . While Republicans are more negative in their assessment of the deal, 29% of voters believe the GOP got the better end of it. Just 21% think the Democrats came out ahead, while 28% said neither party won.
Republicans are evenly divided as to which party came out ahead. Democrats, by a 38% to 19% margin, say the GOP won.
http://www.rasmussenreports.com
WOW....my neuro-surgeon didn't recommend a chiropractor...he thought they would heal over time...damaged but healed, and would later need surgery,,,he was right....it doesn't take much for my back to go out...I've been to the ER quite a few times over the years...usually bed rests and meds work...but, I know there will come a time when it won't...and that's exactly what my doc told me....sooner or later I'll be seeing you...LOL
"Still quite sore, There will be no breaks for me tomorrow, we are taking the Grandkids to Hershey Park, I should need a wheelchair by 3;00 PM tomorrow afternoon :-)"
You're one brave soul . . . I've found that Advil can certainly take the edge off (perhaps you could find some earplugs as well?!).
Have a nice relaxing soak hope you get time to check in tomorrow.
Brandon did not have a good day today...he tripped on the sidewalk and fell face first...ouch!....his nose and forehead are all skinned up, he looks like he was in a fight....I promised to take him to the Dollar Store tomorrow to buy him a bag of junk, his favorite activity...LOL
"if you ever get a chance, if you haven't already...take your kids to Arlington to watch the changing of the Guard...they will never forget it."
I haven't had the chance to visit Arlington yet; next time I'm in DC it will be a 'MUST SEE'!!
[I hope C-Span plans to re-broadcast Monday's ceremony because I'm going to be at a wedding shower, of all things, at 11 AM (YUK)!!]
We could all do group neuro surgery.
Have been in PT again for neck and lumbar area.
Also supposed to hve neuro surgery but holding off.
After over 8 major orthopedic surgeries I need a break
no pun there. Have been on forearm crutches for many yrs.
I can appreciate the pain you both have.
Thank you
Oh my SoCalPol, nothing I've been through can compare to your suffering. I'll shut up now and pray that God will shed His mercy on you and put an end to your pain
"ENJOY your evening alone--I'm alone till Monday night! (except for the three cats, three dogs, 7 sheep, and guinea pig . . . )"
WOW, you've got a zoo to care for . . . I think I'd rather deal with the kiddies!
I hope you're spending more time relaxing than working . . . remember, you've got that sinus infection(?) to get rid of!
We are going to the parade on Monday as well as Arlington if we can get in
Hubby has had 4 lower back surgeries, but has been pain free for the last 10 years . . . I'll pray that each of you experience the same relief SOON!!!
You're welcome!! [Thank YOU for posting so many AWESOME photos!!]
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