The G-8 Summit is well under way — the dominant stories heading out of the talks settle around the speaking style of the Decider in Chief, George W. Bush. Known for his colloquial folksiness and rampant nicknamery, a few such quotes have surfaced today.
Bush sat down to meet with Dmitry Medvedev on the occasion of the Russian leader's first face-to-face meeting with Bush. At the conclusion of the hour meeting, the two had agreed on the need for Iran and North Korea to dump their nuclear ambitions — though stopped short of bridging their differences on Bush's proposal to build a missile-defense system in Europe. But the money quote circulating after the diplomatic meeting is this:
“You know, I’m not going to sit here and psychoanalyze the man, but I will tell you that he’s very comfortable, he’s confident, and that I believe that when he tells me something, he means it. . . . I found him to be a smart guy who understood the issues very well.”
And then there's the second "yo" heard 'round the world. Reporters are tittering after President Bush slung an arm around the shoulders of the Nigerian President and called out to get the attention of the Canadian Prime Minister, "Yo, Harper. The president of Nigeria." It's not the first time such casual lingo seeped into high-level talks (the first caused quite a stir) but does it make a bigger statement about the perception of the US on the world stage? Do two "yo"s make a right?
French Sole
Notify Jeans
Freya
If a leader other than Bush said this, would people make such a big deal out of it?
1Would a leader other than Bush behave this way?
2Does it offend you stephley that Bush is a Republican or hes says things that aren't necessarily as proper as others?
3*that he
4How do "yo" and a fistbump differ? They both are casual uses in much of society. Do I think either are professional? No. Do I think either are something worthy of criticism? No.
5I agree Kim. Both Obama and Bush are doing something in their own style. I was not offended in the least by the fist bump, nor am I with the "yo". To each their own style to make others comfortable.
6That he's behaving boorishly -it would be unseemly for any leader to behave this way at a summit. If they were visiting the ranch fine, kiss them all on the lips and be silly, but not at a G-8 summit. It's not a democrat or republican thing.
7So then, what do you make of the fist bump that was so characterized in the media?
8Yo goes the YoYo.
9The fist bump was between a husband and wife at a pro-Obama rally - there was no reason to discuss a friendly, casual gesture and certainly not to characterize it as a terrorist signal. The media was ridiculous to make a big deal of it.
Bush is talking to World leaders at a G-8 Summit - not a bunch of political cronies at a cookout. Totally different situation.
10Does anyone have anything in print with Harper's reaction?
11Nothing alarms me about what he said. A lot of drama about the fluff and not enough about the content.
12I agree pop, typical media for you though. Lets try to get a rise out of people instead of just giving them the important stuff...
13I'd love to see Bill Clinton hi-5ing people at a summit or Obama fist bumping world leaders - I'm thinking then it would seem significant. Important evidence of their lack of diplomatic and/or leadership experience.
14Perhaps when Obama has the chance to act on the world stage with world leaders you will be singing another tune.
15Sincerely doubt it, but I know I wouldn't be cringing at his behavior.
16Sincerely doubt it, but I know I wouldn't be cringing at his behavior.
17Well now stephley wait a minute I really hate to disagree with you but I would love these stiff necked patriarchal ideologs to cut loose every now and then.
I'll never forget when the U.N. Assembly was dancing The Macarena. That was a hoot and that Madeleine Albright got giggy with it honey.
I think if its o.k. on the inside and none of the boys are bothered by it they should be silly now and then because it builds comradery.
18
I dont see the big issue here yo.
19How do you know that you would not cringe at Obama? Isn't that a bit hypocritical by setting two different standards?
20hypno, I'm with you. I love to see people in such stressful jobs and in such high powered positions cut loose now and then and just have a little fun. It helps make them more real to me.
21I think comparing a fist bump between husband and wife to a President speaking so informally at the G8 Summit takes a big stretch of the imagination. They are waaaaaaay different. You are comparing apples and cars there.
That being said, I don't think this "Bush-ism" is the worst thing he has said by far. I actually thought, "that's it?" when I read the story. He jammed his foot in his mouth much worse before.
22I actually prefer foot in the mouth because of silly behavior over foot in the mouth from flip flopping on the issues.
23Jill I don't think they are all that different, not the actions anyway, the venue at which they were done, yes different. But to me the actions are both very casual uses in our society that have their roots in the streets.
24Oh my God. I can't believe people are actually defending this man's idiotic behavior. You really think your leader should behave this way at a summit of the greatest economic powers? If you do, then I understand why you probably voted for him.
25Again, does anyone know what Harper's reaction was?
26Why the low blows .. honestly is it necessary..this is supposed to be a friendly place.
"If you do, then I understand why you probably voted for him." I dont think it gets more condescending than that.
27Those aren't low blows. That's just an ironic statement. Why is everyone so defensive today?
Seriously though, how can you honestly defend out president acting that way regardless of Harper's reaction? It's not a frat house.
28*out = our
29I think the point that is trying to be made is that how Harper reacted is what is important is because he is the one working with Bush.
30If we are going to make comments about who we voted for in 2004, why did the Democrats choose Kerry? Why wouldn't they have chosen a more viable candidate?
31I understand what you're saying and I'M asking: does that matter? Do you think our president should behave as though he were pledging a fraternity.
32Its just not that big of a deal and with all that is going on in this country a little silliness is no big deal. That is my opinion and one that is shared by a few here.
33God, Hunter, you got me on that. I thought Kerry was an abomination. What a terrible politician. Easily one of the worst run campaigns in modern history.
34Could he have been trying to lighten the mood? Could he have been trying to break the ice? We don't know we weren't there. It's not like he does this at every meeting he attends. Maybe he was glad to be there and excited to see the other leaders and got caught up in the excitement? I don't know I wasn't there, I'm just guessing since that's all I can do.
35Racc-I have been thinking about that a lot recently. Who would you have chosen instead in 2004?
36Look, and this is only my opinion, if it were the Correspondence Dinner or a small function of fun-loving zanies, I think it's appropriate. But at a G8 Summit? That's not really a silly occasion. They're talking about diminishing food production, easing international tariffs and fuel consumption. It's just a smug, condescending attitude that says to me "we don't have to care".
But that's just me.
37That's a great question, Hunter and there was really no one. You had Gephardt, Kucinich, Dean (?), Sharpton and Edwards. Dear Lord, what the hell are you supposed to do with that?
38In general do you think Bush is smug and condescending? Perhaps that is why you assume that was his reason for the silly comment. I honestly dont think he was thinking.. "we dont have to care"
39People are going to have differing views on Bush now and forever. Yeah, I think he doesn't really care how he behaves because he's never had to. He's never once admitted he was wrong during his tenure and if any president since Buchanan should, it's this one. To me that's condescending and smug.
But I recognize that it's just my opinion and am always open to debate. I love when people change my mind.
40It's interesting to me that so many people these days scream "lighten up" and say things like "if we can't laugh at ourselves now and then, we're in sorry shape" and yet we're finding such a grievous fault with something like this? I mean seriously, it's George Bush, don't you think that if we were there and saw him say this we'd crack up laughing because it would look and sound so strange coming from him? I know I would.
I get that people are not happy with "where" he did this not so much that he did it. I just think it's one of those situations where we weren't there we don't know what the tone of the room was at the time. And who knows who else was saying what? We only know this because this is what the media chose to tell us. Other things out of place things could have been said we just don't know.
41I think there were a few people who made some poor decisions not just Bush, things were not handled the right way .. we all know this. But I like to think he had the country's best interest at heart I also try to put myself in his shoes, but Id rather not. I can not imagine having your every move criticized day in and day out.
42Ok ladies and gents .. the man is ill and I must go tend to him. I hope all of ya'll have a great night...till tomorrow
43Betty, I am 100% in agreement with you on that. I have done things ... I'm not proud of ... In any case, I don't think he really understands what this country is. I don't think he's someone who cares about someone making 50k/year. I don't think he cares about the poor and suffering and I don't think it bothers him that people are really hurting now with gas prices. If he did, he had 8 years to do something and instead we are now wallowing in a failed economy, the dollar is almost worthless and people are losing their jobs wholesale. Say what you want about Clinton's personal life, but that man left this country in much better shape than when he found it. That, to me, shows someone has the country's best interest at heart.
Thank you.
44I think there's definitely better ways to "cut loose" than to speak like this at the G8 summit (one can be erudite AND good-humored and witty and charming, I think), but then again maybe I'm just an elitist.
But then again, what does Bush care? He's outta here soon anyway.
45
46This isn't the silliest thing Bush has ever said. I'm surprised that people are even surprised anymore. He's been our president for 8 years. We should be used to this by now. He'll say something stupider before the end of his term, mark my words.
47lol em1281 Are you saying that Bush is like that guy who's given his two weeks and has completely checked out?
I like that.
48kastarte2--he's got Senioritis.
Man, I didn't have it in college, but I had it in
high school pretty badly...we all had checked out mentally by second semester. And it was AWESOME.
49Oh I totally had Senioritis in HS! I sure did have fun though. ;)Skipping last period, going in late, blowing off bs assignments. Man those were the days. Couldn't do that in college though. Everything was too intense senior year. Too many seminars and senior projects for my minor and my major. No fun at all.
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