A day in the life of President Bush (5/28/05): photos

WhiteHouse.gov; various news sources ^ | 5/28/05

[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 Growing

By 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.

[Wolfstar]

Sigh...thanks for posting these pics of my hereos....My main charity is the DAV, but I may contribute to the one you posted...thanks

You're so warmly welcome, mystery. Both of those charities look like worthy ones.

[Wolfstar]

Happy Memorial Day to you, too, Peach. And you're most welcome.

[txrangerette]

Lynne, too...

[snugs]

I am off to bed now I finish up with a few of my favourite photos of the VP. God Bless you all best wishes for whatever you are doing tomorrow on Memorial Day.

I hope to put the dose up at about 5.30pm EDT dependent upon when the photos go up on Yahoo. I intend to make it a tribute to Memorial Day so anyone who has a special photo or clip-art etc that is relevant to that or the military please look it out so that we can make tomorrow a special evening sharing our memories and thoughts for your great Military men who have lost their lives in service for your country and world freedom.

God Bless your President and Vice President and their families - God Bless America.

Good night all and God Bless
Eleanor

[snugs]

Thanks for that

[snugs]

Of course LOL Like GWB he always happier when he has his wife beside him

Now I am really off to bed

[DrDeb]

snugs:
Sweet dreams . . . I'm off to bed myself!!

LUV W:
I made my favorite -- angel food cake with chocolate fudge frosting!

All:
At 11 AM EST tomorrow, C-Span will broadcast the Memorial Day Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery!

C-SPAN will also broadcast the following:
--Live coverage of the Women's Memorial Ceremony at 4pm ET
--Taped coverage of the Annual Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom (no time given)
--Conversations with wounded soldiers, recorded earlier in the year at Walter Reed Army Hospital.

http://www.c-span.org/

[MJY1288]

Thanks Wolfstar, for the ping and pictures

[MJY1288]

Thanks for the links, I'll read them shortly

[luvie]

Mmmmmmm! Angel food....chocolate icing....that just sounds wonderful! 'Nite, DD, hope you have sweet dreams after your sweet dessert!

Oh, and tomorrow at 3:00pm local time, there is a one-minute moment of silence for everyone to remember our heroes, past and present.

[luvie]

Wow! What a way to go out with a bang! All those great pics of our VP! That first one is AWESOME! Yes God bless them, and also God bless your Queen and your Prime Minister! They have always been good allies of ours, and we appreciate it more than you can know!

Good night Toaster Queen--thanks for the fun this weekend! See ya on the next Dose! Look forward to your pictures and all the tributes everyone will have.

[STARWISE]

Link to FASCINATING article about the man who probably IS the closest to W every day:

White House Letter: The helper who knows what Bush will do next

[luvie]

Thanks for the link! Interesting read! I'll bet he sweats bullets every day, hoping he won't goof something up and get "THE LOOK"! LOL!

[MJY1288]

Thanks for the ping, I posted a comment on that thread and forgot to ping you to it. Here it is..............

This coming from Elisabeth Bumiller is almost unbelievable. I read this as Bush is no slacker, and this fine young man has earned his trust and is determined to honor that trust.

I wish some of President Bush's departed Cabinet members had half the honor this young man has.

The biggest difference between X42 and 43 is the people they choose to be associated with. Clinton sorrounded himself with boot lickers who were charged with serving him instead of the duties of the positions they held.

President Bush chooses to sorround himself with those who will best serve the nation and the duties their positions in his Cabinet and Staff are expected to uphold and honor

[STARWISE]

Good post, Mike .... as young as he is, W must REALLY trust him, and that trust would most definitely have been earned .. plus, his sense of humor is probably provides W with brief respites from all the pressures. How's your heel doing?? Sure hope you were able to enjoy your day off today and will tomorrow too. Take care of yourself .. ;).

Just found this pic - interesting twist - can't believe it's a really serious consideration though .. :

Sun May 29,11:06 PM ET- Lynne Cheney listens during a news conference in this Monday, April 4, 2005 file photo, in the East Room of the White House. Cheney says the next Bush president should be a woman. Cheney said some people think former presidential wife Sen. Hillary Clinton should run for president, but she's looking to first lady Laura

[MJY1288]

Thanks, my heel is doing much better, we didn't go to Hershey Park today because our oldest grandson was sick this morning. So my wife and I went to Western Maryland (Rocky Gap State Park and Veterans Cemetery) to place a flag and flowers on my Father-in-Laws grave. About 140 miles each way, and therefore I had a light day on my foot. Tomorrow we will go to Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Sping, Md. to place flowers at the grave site of my Mother, Father, and Aunt who are buried side by side in a Mausoleum there

[GOP-Pat]

You can make any pic larger. Right click to copy and paste into an email--then right click again and highlight resize and you can increase it to any size you want. Only problem with that is that it's not as clear, but you can resize it up to the point where it still looks good. Once you get the size you want, then right click again to save.

BTW, don't send the email to yourself because you can't resize it after it's sent. Just plunk it into a blank email, make it the size you want--then save it as you would any other time.