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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.
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I don't much like crowds, however, and after the last time being squished in a crowd waiting for a bus, I decided to listen on the radio. My sister and my brother are going tomorrow. My nephew's great uncle wa one of Foyt's mechanics. My dad's second cousin was a driving mechanic back in the early 50's when there were two guys in the car.
My most favorite memory when I was an Air Force wife in West Berlin was listening to the Indy 500 on the Armed Forces Network. It was a sound from home, and I was so grateful!
At a Baltimore County public high school a wit with the password for the yearbook inserted the dreaded "n" word in one senior's blurb. Not only was every book recalled, trashed and reprinted, but several students who did not want to return their books because they had already been autographed by some of their classmates, etc, were forbidden to attend graduation until the book came back.
Apparently the word was not a problem with any of the kids involved, but terrified the school administration.
Isn't it strange how some words strike more fear among the left than other words.
Hi Wolf, How are you doing and how is the job?
When you are overseas, any link to home is wonderful! We were in Germany, too! In Wurzburg. We went to the Formula One race at Neuburgring (sp?) and the sound of those powerful engines gave me chills! But it rained the whole weekend and we were in a big Army tent with 2 other couples. It was a challenge, but made for good memories later (like now! LOL!)
Hi snugs, I see they got Big Ben up and going but
couldn't figure what happened to it.
Understand it has been warm in the London area,
how is it your way in Ashford?
Good evening, snugs.
Hi Sara, nice photos especially the cats.
I'm well, and you're so very welcome. The President and First Lady are getting some much needed down time today and tomorrow at Camp David. I'm hoping we see some new pics of the dogs when they return tomorrow.
Thank you all Be strong America good Country!!!!Thank you
Skeptic that I am, I'm not so quick to jump on the "it's just a prank" bandwagon. Either way, the SS definitely will scare the you-know-what out of them. They do not mess around.
Just helping dad to bed back in a few mintues with a picture especially for Wolfstar
It's thrilling, isn't it? I have to admit I was exciting and a bit disbelieving that I actually got in first. It's amazing what passes for a life these days, huh? : )
I think you guys are very lucky to have a real leader or in the past have real leaders(Reagan). Up here we have a crappy dithering joke of a PM. My hope is in the future that you guys continue to pick good leaders.
They are beautiful thank you Sara
Yesterday was the hottest day in May for about 50 or 60 years so it was hot they think that may have been the problem with Big Ben it stopped twice but then they got it going again before midnight yesterday and it has been OK since.
I've had him at home now for about six weeks, and it seems he's finally decided that I'm pretty handy to have around. I stopped in yesterday afternoon to renew my car insurance. They have a purebred, slightly overweight, female Chihuahua that barks her head off whenever someone enters the insurance office. Being a purebred, she's smaller than Ricky. They invited me to bring him in to meet the female Chi, and all she did was bark and bark and bark at him. He was bewildered and kept hanging close to me for safety.
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