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White House Letter: The helper who knows what Bush will do next
International Herald Tribune ^ | 5/30/05 | Elisabeth Bumiller

Posted on 05/29/2005 9:21:39 PM PDT by wagglebee

WASHINGTON When President George W. Bush shakes 1,000 hands, Blake Gottesman is ready with a hand sanitizer. When Bush is in his daily intelligence briefing in the trailer on his ranch, Gottesman is on site to dog-sit Barney, the president's Scottish terrier. When a member of the White House senior staff wants a word with the boss, Gottesman is there to recommend yes or no.

"People will say, 'Is this a good time to raise something?"' said Joe Hagin, the White House deputy chief of staff. "And Blake will say, 'Well, he's reviewing a speech right now,' or 'he's got a couple of members of Congress up in the state room on the plane, so it would be better to wait half an hour."'

Part Sherpa, part butler, part air traffic controller, Gottesman, 25, is the president's personal aide. It is a job steeped in the minutiae of carrying Bush's Altoids, Sharpie markers and the Purell hand sanitizer, and in the delicacy of handling the check on the rare occasions when the president eats out. Gottesman also keeps track of the paper flow to the president, logs all his meetings and phone calls and questions senior aides about grammar and phrasing in Bush's speech texts.

(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...


TOPICS: Extended News; Government; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: blakegottesman; bushaide; presidentbush
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This sounds like an incredible job!
1 posted on 05/29/2005 9:21:40 PM PDT by wagglebee
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To: wagglebee
... Blake Gottesman is ready with a hand sanitizer

Pres. Bush...shades of MONK ?
2 posted on 05/29/2005 9:24:01 PM PDT by stylin19a ( Social Security...neither social nor secure.)
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To: wagglebee

Please note the author of this piece is Elisabeth Bumiller. Though the piece is not necessarily indicting, she has NEVER said anything positive and in fact, makes no effort to hide her agenda in the past of trying to embarass President Bush. Just something to note as you read this.


3 posted on 05/29/2005 9:27:59 PM PDT by jsk10
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To: stylin19a

If you shook hands with a thousand people over the course of a couple of hours, you would worry about germs too.


4 posted on 05/29/2005 9:33:43 PM PDT by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: jsk10

I thought the same thing as I read it. However, she didn't seem to do that here; in fact, she seemed to make Bush appear more responsible than sKerry.


5 posted on 05/29/2005 9:35:38 PM PDT by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: wagglebee
If you shook hands with a thousand people over the course of a couple of hours, you would worry about germs too.

I think about it when I shake hands with ONE person. I don't know where that guy's hands have been.

6 posted on 05/29/2005 9:40:16 PM PDT by Graybeard58 (Remember and pray for Spec.4 Matt Maupin - MIA/POW- Iraq since 04/09/04)
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To: stylin19a

BWAAAHHAAAHAAAAA! "shades of MONK!" That's the first thing I thought of, too! But guess it's necessary with so many people around wanting to shake hands!


7 posted on 05/29/2005 9:42:44 PM PDT by luvie ((Freedom is on the march. Freedom is the birthright and deep desire of every human soul.GWB 3-29-05))
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To: wagglebee
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

8 posted on 05/29/2005 9:52:47 PM PDT by MJY1288 ( By Comparison...."Dingy" Harry Reid makes Tom Daschle look like a Statesman)
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To: MJY1288

I agree, this is the first piece I have ever read of her's that is not completely anti-Bush.


9 posted on 05/29/2005 9:54:04 PM PDT by wagglebee ("We are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." -- President Bush, 1/20/05)
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To: stylin19a

When I'm in a class of 8 preschoolers, I wash up all the time.


10 posted on 05/29/2005 9:59:48 PM PDT by Ruth A.
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To: stylin19a; wagglebee

I agree with wagglebee .. by the time the President had finished with 1000 handshakes - it might be awhile before he could get to a restroom to wash his hands. One touch to his face could subject him to something which could potentially be lethal.

And .. being a world leader .. you can't be too careful about getting ill from germs. Better to be safe than sorry.


11 posted on 05/29/2005 10:18:28 PM PDT by CyberAnt (President Bush: "America is the greatest nation on the face of the earth")
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To: LUV W; stylin19a

Now we know where Sharona went. (Please W, send her back. The show hath jumpeth ye olde sharke.)


12 posted on 05/30/2005 12:17:07 AM PDT by Dahoser ("What'll it be Normie?" "Just the usual coach. I'll have a froth of beer and a snorkel.")
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To: wagglebee; MJY1288
My opinion of this piece? Elisabeth wants him..... Blake, not the President. :-)

I went looking for a picture of young Blake and found this picture (he doesn't do anything for me..) and this "Ask the White House" session with him. He does seem like a charming guy.

Ask The White House

13 posted on 05/30/2005 12:51:29 AM PDT by texasflower ("Put the lime in the Coke, you nut!" Sing loud and strong Mr. TOL)
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To: texasflower
He is at least normal looking, and his devotion to uphold the commitment he agreed to, is an example of character every young woman should appreciate, and every man should emulate
14 posted on 05/30/2005 1:00:22 AM PDT by MJY1288 ( By Comparison...."Dingy" Harry Reid makes Tom Daschle look like a Statesman)
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To: MJY1288

I agree. He's okay looking and I was very impressed with the way he came across in the Ask the Whitehouse piece.

His devotion to the President is obvious and quite honorable.

He certainly is a fortunate young man to have the trust of such an amazing President. Clearly he's earned that trust.


15 posted on 05/30/2005 1:21:18 AM PDT by texasflower ("Put the lime in the Coke, you nut!" Sing loud and strong Mr. TOL)
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To: texasflower

He kind of looks like the actor, Matthew Perry.


16 posted on 05/30/2005 1:53:06 AM PDT by GretchenM (Panama Canal: America finished what France couldn't; but it took Carter to give it to China.)
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To: GretchenM

He sort of does look like Matt Perry. I didn't notice until you said something.


17 posted on 05/30/2005 2:05:11 AM PDT by texasflower ("Put the lime in the Coke, you nut!" Sing loud and strong Mr. TOL)
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To: wagglebee

Thank God Howie Mandel is'nt president.....


18 posted on 05/30/2005 3:41:27 AM PDT by Route101
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To: Route101

"Thank God Howie Mandel isn't president"

He couldn't be president. He was born in Canada.


19 posted on 05/30/2005 5:17:57 AM PDT by somerville
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To: wagglebee

At least the president didn't pick him up in a surf shop like Kerry picked his.


20 posted on 05/30/2005 5:21:14 AM PDT by rabidralph
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