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 ...
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.
If you shook hands with a thousand people over the course of a couple of hours, you would worry about germs too.
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.
I think about it when I shake hands with ONE person. I don't know where that guy's hands have been.
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!
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
I agree, this is the first piece I have ever read of her's that is not completely anti-Bush.
When I'm in a class of 8 preschoolers, I wash up all the time.
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.
Now we know where Sharona went. (Please W, send her back. The show hath jumpeth ye olde sharke.)
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.
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.
He kind of looks like the actor, Matthew Perry.
He sort of does look like Matt Perry. I didn't notice until you said something.
Thank God Howie Mandel is'nt president.....
"Thank God Howie Mandel isn't president"
He couldn't be president. He was born in Canada.
At least the president didn't pick him up in a surf shop like Kerry picked his.
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