[A Citizen Reporter]

Sour grapes, Dana, sour, sour grapes. Dana's got his nose in a snit because the two leaders insulted the media, by complimenting the students on their questions. And making a comparison to the questions asked by the press! Hahahaha!

[The Truth Will Make You Free]

And Bush's last word were "Very good night." according to the Whitehouse web site.

[Dubya_gal]

Ping!

[MarMema]

bump for two great men.

[VietVet]

I heard the news cnference on the radio. Both presidents seemed very relaxed and confident, knowlegable, in-charge. The translator for Pres Putin did an excellent job, and made the Russian President sound like an old folksy stump campaigner. By the end of the conference, *I* would have voted for him ... over Al Gore anyway.

The kids were sharp, too. Pres. Bush was not just flattering them when he said their questions were better than some the White House Press Corps asks him.

[Diogenesis]

[DallasMike]

My favorite quotes:

"When Bush suggested Putin visit the ranch in August, the leader gave a wave of his hand to indicate his tepid response. Bush said Putin replied, 'fine, and maybe you'd like to go to Siberia in the winter.'"

"Bush called Putin 'Vladimir.' He said he had had further opportunity to inspect the Russian premier's 'heart and soul.'"

I have a feeling that Bush's spiritual discussions with Putin have begun to take root. This could be a monumental relationship on the order of the friendship between Churchill and Roosevelt.

[Common Tator]

Putin faces a problem with his nation. Russia is no longer a super power. Clinton with his actions and manner regarding Serbia treated Russia like an ex super power.

Bush comes in and Putin is ready to try to at least salvage some Russian self respect by doing everything he can to cause the US trouble.

But Bush is not Clinton. Bush from day one treated Russia as if it were still a super power. A superpower that Bush wanted to make a friend. Putin reacted at first with a bit of scepticism. Then he realised that for the United States to continue to treat Russia as if it were still a super power, Russia had best become our friend. Putin can clearly see that a Russia that is a big deal to the USA is a big deal to every nation on earth. You can bet Putin likes that situation.

The way Russia gets to play supper power in the world is to be buddies with the US. American presidents don't spend several days playing up to third world powers. And Amercian Presidents don't visit just one third world power on a trip. Putin is getting the super power treatment and it is obvious he likes it. For 8 years Russians have faced the fact that they are no big deal. Now pictures of Putin and Bush are showing up all over Russia and the world with the implications that the USA thinks Russia is a big deal That has to play well for Putin. No wonder he is smiling a lot.

Bush has made Russia a friend. A friend that gets prestige and world influence because they are our friend. It is brilliant foreign policy. The oil rich middle east was looking at a poor Russia. Many of them hoping to reverse the Power/Client relationship they once had with Russia. They were hoping to become the money power and Russia their military suplier client. After all it was Russian arms that permitted the Israeli Arab wars. Those thousands of Russian nukes had to look very good to the oil Shieks. Now they are checkmated. It is Russia and the US against the Muslim terrorists.

Look for the long term results of these talks in Texas to be about marketing Russian Oil.

While in Texas I would bet you Putin and Bush are talking real crude. Crude oil that is. OPEC is in for a surprise.

[Republic of Texas]

Bush: We're here all week!

Putin: Ya, try da veal!

Bush: Thank you, tip the waitress, good night!

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[lonestar]

Dubya is a people person. I've seen him "work" a room several times--beginning when he was running for governor the first time and didn't have any security with him. Maybe 20 people were there to hear him. Plenty of time to play "Do you remember whoever and whatever happened to whoever?" You feel like you're talking to somebody you've known forever and it's not all politics.

His dad is the same way. They're like old shoes.

[freethinkingman]

Yea, interesting to see composts take on it... listen closely for any mistakes and then highlight them...

I also agree that OPEC should be worried on this, it is no secret that Russia can produce more oil than Suadi Arabia if they modernize their efforts, I am sure Dubya will offer to send in some Texas Wildcatters to get things started....

[sweetliberty]

The appearance at the high school in Crawford by Presidents Bush and Putin was not only history in the making but nothing short of pure delight. Every time I see our president and first lady and their gracious, down-to-earth manner of handling every situation, I feel so proud and thank God once again that we have people who are authentic in every way representing our country, instead of the self-serving, corrupt and phony caricatures we were subjected to for 8 long years.

For those of you who missed it, there was an excellent thread earlier as the event was unfolding with some great pictures as well.

Bush/Putin Love Fest

[kcat]

I want to make a comment just to keep this thread going. I happened to turn on the tv when the Presidents were at the high school and, as a child of the cold war, it was absolutely surreal. The Presidents of Russia and of the United States of America, dressed casually, "talking" with junior high and high school students in a gymnasium in Texas.

If these guys don't truly like each other then they have me fooled. They are both really funny.

One of my favorite things that President Bush said was that we need to make sure this relationship between Russia and the U.S. lasts AFTER they are no longer leaders. President Bush is a good man.

[McGavin999]

It was the most enjoyable "press" conference I've ever watched. The kids were great and there was even a couple of Russian foreign exchange students there. It was facinating to watch Putin and Bush interact.

There's no way they will agree on everything, but they'll get along and find a way to work together. The future looks a lot brighter now. Hope Putin invites Bush to see the White Nights in St. Petersburg, I hear that they're fabulous.

[america76]

Just caught the end of it from the point Putin answered the russian girl. He tried to seem amicable but came off as cold and shifty as ever. He's got the face of a killer. I wonder how many Russian peasants he stabbed, shot or tortured to death in his old KGB days. By the general look of his face, quite a few I imagine.

[gratefulwharffratt]

Most of the questions from the students were soft, but toward the end one boy asked whether Bush would proceed with national missile defense Ð an unresolved disagreement between the two sides.

Putin shrugged. "The president told me we'll just limit ourselves to generalities, but he was mistaken," he said.

BLATENT LIE ALERT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Putin's quip was about the QUESTION, not the issue. He joked that the QUESTIONS were supposed to be limited to generalities but the students were asking policy related questions. EVERYBODY IN THE PLACE LAUGHED WHEN HE SAID IT. This is so blatently mischaracterized as to EASILY be called dishonest.

These damned Media Rats will do ANYTHING to shoot our great President down.

[ladyinred]

I love this, how wonderful that these two are so comfortable together. I must admit I feel a bit smug about it due to all of the media hype about how Bush was hated by the foreign leaders, how he would just embarrass us, etc. and it is clear that Putin really does like him!
Nelson Mandella's remark about how Bush was misrepresented to us was just priceless!
The children did do a better job at asking questions than the media. They were honest questions, not the self serving statement in the guise of a question!
The media had a lesson in Journalism today in high school, where they perhaps belong!

[MissAmericanPie]

I have to hand it to Putin, he looks like a sensitive genius, and seems to be sincere. I was impressed with the fact that Russia pays it's debts early.

I just hope that he cares as much for President Bush, as Bush obviously cares for him.

[Jen]

Would you please add me to the Bush Babes bump list?