Schwarzenegger's hush-hush trip to Bush White House

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | July 10, 2006 | Carla Marinucci

[FairOpinion]

Guess where the California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is tonight.

How 'bout at a fancy White House dinner honoring his mother-in-law, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and the Special Olympics, the organization which she founded?

In a measure of just how reluctant the Republican governor may be to be linked to the unpopular Republican president, Schwarzenegger took off for the East Coast today with no announcement that he and Maria Shriver would be VIP guests at the big White House fete held on the birthday of the First Lady's mom.

We called the governor's office today and got no immediate confirmation on the White House event. That came from the office of First Lady Laura Bush, which also confirmed that other state guests included Rep. David Dreier of San Dimas, a Republican, and Jay Emmett, the director of the San Diego Padres (and a Special Olympics Board member.)

OFFICE OF THE FIRST LADY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 10, 2006

TABLE SETTINGS AND ENTERTAINMENT AT A DINNER CELEBRATING A TRIBUTE TO THE SPECIAL OLYMPICS AND EUNICE KENNEDY SHRIVER

[FairOpinion]

Well, it doesn't seem to be so "hush-hush" after all, since we are reading about it in the SFC.

I bet Arnold didn't trumpet it, because then people would have accused him of trying to use it for polical purposes.

It was clearly a dinner to honor Special Olympics and its founder, donors and orgamizers.

[FairOpinion]

White House press release:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2006/07/20060710-17.html


President Bush Honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Celebrates Special Olympics
The East Room



7:40 P.M. EDT

THE PRESIDENT: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for coming. Mrs. Shriver, and Special Olympics athletes; friends and family. Mr. President -- the President of Iceland has joined us -- proud you're here, President Grimsson. And First Lady of Panama, First Lady Torrijos is with us, as well. We've got members of the Congress and members of the Senate. Laura and I are glad you all are here. Welcome to this special occasion.

We're here to celebrate the Special Olympics, and to honor a woman who made them possible -- Eunice Kennedy Shriver. (Applause.) And we're here to celebrate her birthday. (Laughter.)

In a moment we'll hear from this woman who has made it her life's work to create opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. She founded the Special Olympics in 1968, to get people with intellectual disabilities the chance to develop physical fitness, to create friendships, and experience the joy of sports competition and achievement. Today the Special Olympics includes more than 2.25 million athletes in 150 countries. The games have become a source -- (applause.) The games have become a source of unity and excitement for its participants. They've helped raise awareness of the challenges facing those with intellectual disabilities.

America upholds the values of every person and the possibilities of every life. And the Special Olympics are an example of America at its best. We share with the entire world the spirit of joy and kindness that the Special Olympics brings.

If you ever had any doubt about how much good one person can do, look no further than this kind and gracious lady. On this special occasion, I ask you to join me in a toast to the Special Olympics, and to Eunice Kennedy Shriver, and to her contributions to our nation -- past, present, and future. God bless.

(A toast is offered.) (Applause.)

END 7:44 P.M. EDT

[American in Singapore]

I agree... As Homer Simpson once said: "Wrong again, liberal media!" :-)

[NormsRevenge]

Posted earlier in Bloggers

Schwarzenegger's hush-hush trip to Bush White House

---

Also from ap on yahoo

Shriver praises Special Olympics backers

WASHINGTON - Eunice Kennedy Shriver on Monday praised supporters of the Special Olympics, telling President Bush of her gratitude to all who have stood behind the initiative that has given hope to millions of people in 150 countries.

Special Olympics, which Shriver founded, have been "a source of unity and excitement" and joy shared with the entire world, she said at a White House dinner in her honor.

Participants at the event for several hundred people also included her brother Sen. Edward Kennedy (news, bio, voting record), D-Mass., and other luminaries from the world of politics.

Shriver has been an activist in the field of mental retardation, and was inspired to found the Special Olympics for mentally disabled athletes by her sister, Rosemary, who died last year at 86. Rosemary Kennedy was the oldest sister of President John F. Kennedy.

Shriver stressed how far the world has come in addressing the issue of mental retardation, recalling that when she and her sister were growing up, society offered no school classes or other specially designed programs.

---

President Bush, right, stands as Eunice Kennedy Shriver, founder of the Special Olympics, heads to the podium to speak at a dinner honoring the Special Olympics in the State Dining Room Monday, July 10, 2006 at the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

[FairOpinion]

Well, the White House has a press release on its website about it, I posted it here:

President Bush Honors Eunice Kennedy Shriver, Celebrates Special Olympics

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1663507/posts

[KellyAdmirer]

So he was invited to the White House - is that supposed to be a bad thing? Would all these wonderful Freepers whining about him on that other thread prefer that had he rejected the invitation? Then they'd REALLY whine. But they'll whine about him regardless of what he does, won't they, because he's actually electable and they can't stand that.

[FairOpinion]

President Bush, second left, seated with first lady Laura Bush, left, are pictured in the East Room of the White House as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, right, and Maria Shriver are seen at right following a dinner honoring the Special Olympics and founder Eunice Kennedy Shriver, not pictured, Monday, July 10, 2006 in Washington.

[4rcane]

media definition

Mexican left wing presidential candidate is popular with 35% vote
Bush is unpopular with 51% vote

[1066AD]

Well good for her and good for W.

Shriver has been an activist in the field of mental retardation, and was inspired to found the Special Olympics for mentally disabled athletes by her sister, Rosemary, who died last year at 86. Rosemary Kennedy was the oldest sister of President John F. Kennedy.

Rosemary must have embarrassed ol' Joe because he had her lobotomized and safely hidden away.

[zarf]

That's quite a legacy she's left. The Special Olympics are just that and more.

It's an experience everyone should have a chance to cherish.

[Gideon7]

In 2000 Gov. Jesse Ventura made a quick trip to the Clinton White House for a sleepover. He smoked cigars with Bill on the balcony. I don't recall any announcement of the trip beforehand or any "hush-hush" griping by the media afterward.

I googled for media articles of Ventura "will visit", "to visit", "planned visit", etc. No hits. The only hits were past tense, "visited", etc.

[hsalaw]

If it's really hush-hush, let's be sure the NYSlimes doesn't find out. Nobody reads the San Francisco Comical anyway.

[SoCalPol]

Arnold is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.

Having a Democrat State Legislature and Democrat majority of voters in CA doesn't make things easy.
I may not agree with every move Arnold has made but those
who will vote for anyone but will put Mr. Tax and gay marriage, Angelides as the next gov.
For those who don't like Arnold, you will really hate Angelides.

[gondramB]

>>Well, it doesn't seem to be so "hush-hush" after all, since we are reading about it in the SFC.<<

The SFC may not like Arnold and think they can hurt him by a stories that says he avoided the President but is still linked to him.

[Just mythoughts]

That sure looks like Mr. Smith beside Maria.

[FairOpinion]

"But they'll whine about him regardless of what he does, won't they, because he's actually electable and they can't stand that."


===

Precisely.

[Proud_USA_Republican]

Yes, Arnold is always hiding out so he won't be seen supporting Bush.

Like when he gave that national televised speech at the RNC for Bush's re-election.

[BlueNgold]

Maybe, just maybe, there are a few politicians out there who realize that every thing they do is not about themselves. A state function honoring his mother-in-law would certainly demand his presence, governor or not.

I personally would consider partisan political speeches and photo-ops at an event honoring not just his mother-in-law, but someone clearly from the other side of the aisle to be incredibly distasteful - and so would the SFC.

This is typical liberal slam-journalism. He makes a big splash, makes press announcements, and cozies up to the president during the event and he's dishonoring Mrs. Shriver - he lays low and lets her day be her day, and he's hiding from direct association with the President. Sickening.

[BlueAngel]

I think its Maria's brother.

[rabidralph]

I wonder if they watched "The Ringer"?