Bush says he had glimpse into Merkel's soul

Reuters ^ | May 7, 2006 | Reuters

[dogbyte12]

BERLIN (Reuters) - President George W. Bush said on Sunday he gained a glimpse into German Chancellor Angela Merkel's soul when they met in Washington last week.

Bush told ARD television that Merkel had described her youth in communist East Germany at a White House dinner on Wednesday.

"She spoke of her childhood, of her father who was a pastor, of the (communist youth group) young pioneers, of her school life. And I have to say I got a glimpse into her soul, into how she feels," he said.

Reuters translated his comments from a German transcript of the ARD interview, due to be broadcast on Sunday evening. ARD could not immediately provide original English quotes.

Bush called Merkel "authentic, open and direct".

His comments echo ones he made about Russian President Vladimir Putin five years ago. "I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country," Bush said then.

His relations with Putin have since soured as Washington has grown increasingly critical of the Russian leader's record on democracy, human rights and press freedom.

[dogbyte12]

My memo to the President would be to stop talking about European leaders souls. It doesn't work out well.

[clintonh8r]

Oh, no....not again.

[A message]

I wonder what her nickname is now.

Murky Merk ?

[Mr. Mojo]

Uh oh. ....an ominous sign.

[Dog Gone]

I'm a big Bush fan, but he needs to stop this soul-peering nonsense.

[last american]

"I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country," Bush said then. His relations with Putin have since soured as Washington has grown increasingly critical of the Russian leader's record on democracy, human rights and press freedom.

There appears to be ALOT that this going on that this crew doesn't seem to have a good grasp of.. until it's too late.

[butternut_squash_bisque]

First, "Pooty Pute", now Merkel. Get a grip, W and stop this nonsense.

[HarmlessLovableFuzzball]

He had a peek into Putin's soul too, unfortunately he didn't see enough.

[Wormwood]

"The Force is strong in this one..."

[GSlob]

Politicians do not, and cannot, have souls. The only thing to see would be Satan's receipts for them.

[VOA]

I cheated on my Metaphysics final exam at college...I stole some
answers by looking into the soul of the student sitting next to me.
--Woody Allen
(back when he was funny)

[flashbunny]

Our next supreme court nominee????

[processing please hold]

hahahahahaha

I wonder if he saw Putins while he was visiting there?

[Marine_Uncle]

"His comments echo ones he made about Russian President Vladimir Putin five years ago. "I was able to get a sense of his soul, a man deeply committed to his country and the best interests of his country," Bush said then."
And perhaps the POTUS had spoken honestly. But what he did not tell the world was how troubled he was at what he saw. Diplomacy always requires a slap on the back, friendly smile, take the first ladies out on shopping sprees.

[surely_you_jest]

Cue the graphic with the guy holding his head, and saying "not this shit again".

[buckeyesrule]

She seems to be an improvement over what they had in Germany.

[inquest]

That sounds like something Steven Wright would say.

[fizziwig]

I guess Bush never told us about when he looked into the soul of Vicente....wonder what he saw.....Aztlan maybe?

[FReepaholic]

Oh wait, it was Merkel. Well...nevermind.

[Das Outsider]

My memo to the President would be to stop talking about European leaders souls. It doesn't work out well.