Posted on 06/30/2006 12:49:34 PM PDT by beyond the sea
President George W. Bush took devout Elvis fan Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi on a road trip to Graceland on Friday to pay homage to the King of Rock-n'-Roll, underscoring the allies' "Love Me Tender" bond.
Wrapping up a two-day summit with Koizumi that touched on the North Korean nuclear threat and world trade talks, the two leaders were ready for a "A Little Less Conversation" as they boarded Air Force One to head to Memphis.
For Koizumi, 64, who shares a birthday with Elvis Presley and whose wavy hairstyle resembles that of the singer, the tour of Presley's Graceland mansion was the chance of a lifetime.
"It's like a dream," he told reporters.
Koizumi has been one of Bush's staunchest allies in the war on terrorism.
Joined by Bush's wife, Laura, the leaders were given the royal treatment as they pulled up to the mansion, where a pink Cadillac was parked outside. Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie, and his ex-wife, Priscilla, gave the trio a private tour.
As the first sitting president to visit Graceland, Bush received an original Elvis belt buckle from the singer's estate. Koizumi was given a vintage movie poster and Laura Bush got a "tender loving care" necklace.
HOLD ME TIGHT
On a part of the tour where the press was allowed in, Koizumi, known in Japan for his eccentricities and keen political instincts, could not resist belting out a few lines from Elvis's songs.
As the three posed for pictures amid the Polynesian decor of the "Jungle Room," Koizumi put his arm around Lisa Marie Presley and said, "Hold me close, hold me tight," the opening line of Elvis', "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You."
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
ROFL
Glad you liked it. But hurry up and clean ...... there is some space debris heading toward the earth in a few days.
;-)
Very, very, strange.
I had no idea that this President was actually a human being!
I'm proud of President Bush for doing such an extraordinary gesture.
Boy ...... that is a fact.
I love that woman.
I hope Brit and the folks put something on about it at the end of the show in a few minutes.
Hey, whatever works.
I think its funny as hell!
I have never forgotten that Koizumi gave the President a mounted, antique samurai arrow as a gift in the months after 9/11. The press ignored this, but it was a high honor.
Darn, I missed the first 10 minutes of the show. I guess I'll have to brew up more coffee later and watch it again at midnight here.
I have to see this. It was a very sweet and good thing that the President and the Presley's did today for the Prime Minister.
What a sweet guy and a great friend to this nation!
He got there early Wednesday morning. I am sure they talked business all day Wednesday.
Get a life.... A few more people realizing their dreams would make the world a much better place.
bttt
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