He ain't pretty, he's John Howard: Bush

Herald Sun ^ | 17 May 2006

[Aussie Dasher]

IF politics is showbiz for ugly people, John Howard has just won an Oscar.

In front of a packed press conference in the White House, US President George W Bush outlined the reasons for his close friendship with the Australian prime minister - and it sure isn't his looks.

In the space of one answer, Mr Bush described the man standing by his side as bald and no oil painting - but a terrific leader.

And Mr Bush put paid to any thought that Mr Howard might be retiring at the end of this year, saying he did not expect to have to develop a similar relationship with another Australian prime minister. "I suspect he's going to outlast me, so that is a moot point," Mr Bush told reporters.

"Somebody said, 'gosh, you and John Howard appear to be so close, don't you have any differences?', and I said, yeah, he doesn't have any hair."

Mr Howard - and the room, including Vice-President Dick Cheney and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice - burst into laughter.

But it got worse for the prime minister as Mr Bush warmed to his description.

Mr Howard's word was his bond, Mr Bush said.

"In order to work together to make difficult decisions, decisions of war and peace, decisions of security, decisions of trade, you've got to have ... somebody you're talking to who tells you straight up what's on their mind," the president said.

"Politics sometimes produces people that'll tell you one thing and don't mean it.

"It's really hard to be making rational decisions if somebody you're talking to just doesn't level with you. "And that's what I like about John Howard.

"He may not be the prettiest person on the block, but when he tells you something you can take it to the bank. He is a reliable partner."

Mr Bush said he did not agree with Mr Howard on everything, but he trusted him.

He was also capable of standing by his decisions, Mr Bush said.

"Your campaign was right before my campaign and John Howard stood strong. I remember something when the polls didn't look real good and I remember saying, 'this man is going to be rewarded at the ballot box because the people of Australia want somebody who's consistently strong, not somebody who's going to walk around trying to figure out where to end up for political expediency," he said.

"You may not agree with his position on every issue but you must agree with the fact that he's a man of conviction, and that's the essence of leadership - courage and conviction."

[OKIEDOC]

Gee can't we all just get along.

Oh! just give me a physical break.

[Iscool]

You support Kennedy's immigation plan and you make a comment like that to me???

You support allowing in 100-200 million people from south of the border over the next 20 years and you make a comment like that???

You may not have to deal with it but your kids and grandkids will...

[BFPRufus]

I'm more than happy to give Bush credit for this actually. Probably doesn't play too well to US audiences but does play quite well for Aussie humour - good natured "cheap-shots" at your mates are fine. From that perspective not rude at all, and I'm sure that's how John took it.
He's a bit hopefull that John will outlast him though - the Aussie election is before the next Us election and I suspect Howard may retire at that stage. Real problem is there isn't really a clear replacement other than the very unpopular Peter Costello.

[helives]

Im Australian and heard that speech on the radio on the way to work this morning and laughed.......I thought it was funny.

Australians laconic sense of humour is based in laughing at mates from time to time. When people make fun of me I end up laughing with them at myself and most blokes are the same.
We seem to be able to laugh at our own shortcomings which our mates especially after a couple of beers, seem to take much pride and delight in "pisstaking" and exagerating to the max....

I seriously dont think John Howard would have a problem with it, but no doubt the media will portray all kinds of horrors..............hopefully they give John the right of reply so we get his take on it and I would bet my house he will make a statesman like comment which will have a laughing undertone.....

God bless peeps..........Stu