During a Beijing media conference on Sunday, US President George Bush cut off a reporter who'd told him he seemed to be 'off his game'. Posted on 11/24/2005 3:06:23 PM PST by demlosers
At first, the exit strategy was working well. During a Beijing media conference on Sunday, US President George Bush cut off a reporter who'd told him he seemed to be 'off his game'.
He then refused the reporter's request for a 'a very quick follow-up' and strode towards a set of double doors leading out of the room.
The problem? The doors were locked.
Mr Bush tugged at both handles on the double doors without success.
Then turning to face the reporters again, Mr Bush joked: 'I was trying to escape. Obviously, it didn't work.'
He was bailed out only when aide Blake Gottesman peeked out from behind screens set up at the back of the room and motioned for him to head towards the correct door.
The media conference was held with a small group of US reporters at the end of a day of meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other officials.
Mr Bush spoke about religious freedom, the Iraq war and the value of China's currency. 
The final reporter Mr Bush called on assessed his performance earlier in the day when he stood beside Mr Hu in the Great Hall of the People near Tiananmen Square to deliver a statement.
The reporter said: 'Respectfully, sir - you know we're always respectful - in your statement this morning with President Hu, you seemed a little off your game, you seemed to hurry through your statement.
He asked: 'There was a lack of enthusiasm. Was something bothering you?'
Mr Bush responded: 'Have you ever heard of jet lag? Well, good. That answers your question.'
The President then recited a list of what he viewed as positive developments from his meetings in Beijing, including cooperation on North Korean nuclear disarmament and the ability to engage in 'frank discussions' with his Chinese counterpart. - Reuters.
Wow, it's like he's a human being or something.
LoL!
I give him credit for making a joke of the doors. I especially like the shot of him mugging for the camera. No way he wasn't just goofing on himself.
As for the jet lag: how did the journo get to China? I bet the press had an extra few hours to adjust, too. How many timezones between DC and China?
This is just the current attempt in an uncountable number of the media trying to demean the POTUS. So, what else is new?
"reporter who'd told him he seemed to be 'off his game'."
Your typical taunting member of the liberal media.
He's got a sense of humor.Must be a slow day for the msm.
Bump. These prima donnas of the press will never get it--that it is very difficult to embarrass a humble man.
It's an omen. No exit plan.
John Kerry would have blamed the secret service, and had them
fired.
That's what Reagan woulda done!
It's amazing what the media dwells on!
THe funny thing about the NY Daily News making it a full-color cover story on Monday: the picture also appeared in the middle of Sunday's paper. I guess they were afraid some people might've missed it.
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