A Day in the Life of President Bush (at the Olympics): 8-8-08

WhiteHouse.gov & other sources ^ | 8-8-08

[silent_jonny]

Today President & Mrs. Bush attended the opening ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

Before the ceremonies, the President met personally with all the US Olympic Athletes and encouraged them to “go for it, give it all you've got” and reminded them that the American people will be cheering for them back home. (Transcript)

I wasn't exactly sure what to say to you, except to start with, God, I love our country and I love what we stand for. (Applause.) And I love being with you.

Earlier today President Bush was joined by his father, former President George H. W. Bush, for the dedication of the new US embassy in Beijing. [GHWB served as the Envoy to China during the Ford administration. He and his wife Barbara lived in the country for 14 months between 1975 and 1976.] (Transcript)

President GHWB: I was feeling sentimental when I told Barbara, my wife, that my old office would be occupied by the talented translators who work in the Public Affairs Office. (Laughter.) But as usual, she snapped out -- "You mean they got someone in your office who can speak the language?" (Laughter.)

Barbara and I studied an hour a day, five days a week, but to be honest, one of the great challenges were these Chinese lessons that she and I took together. She simply refused to follow the very sacred "no laughing rule" as I spoke. (Laughter.) I was soon hoping that she would transfer out of my class. (Laughter.)

President & Mrs. Bush attended a banquet for visiting world leaders and Olympic officials in the Great Hall of People in Beijing.

Enjoy your visit to Sanity Island

[kitkat]

Those white caps our teams are wearing are really spiffy. I looked it up, and they’re called touring caps which were used for driving the topless cars when the first cars were built, and they’re also called newsboy caps.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with the United States field hockey team during a visit by the President on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with members of United States softball Olympic team during a visit on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush poses for a photo with members of United States Olympic team during a visit on the opening day of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

[tommix2]

kitkat aren't we fortunate to have access to this thread and see these inspiring pictures that you can't find any where else.The pix in post 23 with Bush the Elder, and Dubya shaking hands at the dedication of a new embassy MUST be ones for the history booksYes and we can save it which I did.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush, his wife Laura, Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and his wife arrive at the VIP lounge at the National Stadium before the start of the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on August 8, 2008.

[kitkat]

I saved it, too, Tom. LOL! And, YES, we’d never have learned as much all these years if we hadn’t had the Dose. And it’s wonderful presenters.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush arrives for the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in Beijing on August 8, 2008.

President George W. Bush shakes hands with another guest during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

President George W. Bush shakes hands with another guest during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

[silent_jonny]

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin speaks with US President George W. Bush before the start of the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

I’m sure that was an interesting conversation.

[tommix2]

former President George H.W. Bush and Ms. Barbara Bush.. Barbara is so classy and dignified. Should be Miss Barbara Bush, not Ms.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush shakes hands with Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8, 2008.

President George W. Bush applauds during the Opening Ceremony for the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics at the National Stadium on August 8, 2008 in Beijing, China.

[tommix2]

Thank you rintense and all. And it’s wonderful presenters.

[silent_jonny]

Actors perform during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games Friday Aug. 8, 2008, at National Stadium in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper

Performance artist wearing green illuminated costumes perform in National Stadium Friday evening, Aug. 8, 2008 in Beijing, during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics. White House photo by Eric Draper

Acrobats perform in bright green costumes at National Stadium Friday, Aug. 9, 2008, during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper

[snugs]

Thanks for the dose Jonny some wonderful photos I enjoyed seeing the President on TV at the opening ceromny he seemed to be enjoying himself.

[DrDeb]

AWESOME photos of an AWESOME PRESIDENT and FIRST LADY (and US Olympians) posted by an AWESOME DOSER!!
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YOU WILL FIND VIDEO OF THE PRESIDENT’S REMARKS TO THE US OLYMPIC TEAM HERE:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2008/08/20080808-3.html
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Beijing Olympics— Opening Ceremony ...Update: Iraqis Given Rousing Ovation (Video of the President and First Lady). . . President Bush meets with the US Olympic team.
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/08/beijing-olympics-opening-ceremony.html#comments

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush uses a pair of binoculars during the opening ceremony for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games August 8, 2008.

Performers dance on the surface of an illuminated sphere in the middle of National Stadium Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper

Actors perform during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games Friday Aug. 8, 2008, at National Stadium in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper

[snugs]

I know he is popular in the US but there is something I do not like about Sarkowsy maybe it is my British wariness of anything French. Love some of their food, art and enjoy visiting their country but do have a serious problem liking the french in general. Individuals like all nations I can relate to and like but overall not a nation or people that I warm to. Obviously the historic relationship of Britain and France must have some bearing though saying that I do not feel the same way about modern day Germany and to some extent Japan.

[silent_jonny]

An aerial performance artist in an astronaut costume glides above National Stadium Friday evening, Aug. 8, 2008 in Beijing, during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympics. White House photo by Eric Draper

A young performer is suspended through the air during the Opening Ceremonies of the 2008 Summer Olympic Games Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, at the National Stadium in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper

[silent_jonny]

President & Mrs. Bush stand (and the President puts his coat back on) as the US Olympic Team is about to be introduced.

[snugs]

Lovely photos of the little boy the President really does enjoy these moments. Would not be something he might publicly state but I suspect these opportunities to connect with children have been highlights of his Presidency for him.

[silent_jonny]

President George W. Bush waves an American flag as he and Mrs. Laura Bush stand and cheer during the entrance of the U.S. athletes into China's National Stadium Friday, Aug. 8, 2008, in Beijing. White House photo by Eric Draper