TresSugar

Presents For a President: What Did George Bush Get?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 09:30:11 -0800

George Bush received many splendored things from foreign leaders as president, but he couldn't keep anything that exceeded $335 in value. High-value gifts are turned over to government archives when a president's term is up. Probably for the best, though! I don't know what he would do with a sapphire-and-diamond necklace, bracelet, earrings, and ring set, worth $85,000, in Midland, TX. I mean, Dallas maybe!

Now that we know what he's amassed over eight years, see if you can match the country to the lavish gift.

Source

Take the quiz

Terms of Service: Should the First Lady Be on Payroll?

CitizenSugar — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:30:05 -0800

Being the first lady is not all tea and cake and greeting foreign dignitaries. Even when it is, there's still a staff to be managed.

The idea of paying the first lady goes back to 1946, when a congressman proposed a $10,000 salary for First Lady Bess Truman, calling the position "the only case of involuntary servitude in America."

Congress rejected the proposal and it never returned to the House again, but that doesn't stop equality revelers from talking it up every four to eight years. Now with the arrival of Michelle Obama, who was the family breadwinner at one point, the question is posed again.

Opponents worry that paying the first lady would set a precedent for senator and governor spouses, who perform many of the same duties on smaller scales. Some see the role as a privilege - an adventure! - that is served at the president's pleasure. Shudder. The president also earns $400,000 per year - eight times the average American household. Not to mention, it could make things messy for a president who prides himself on being clean and accountable. And, well, she's not asking for it!

Source

Obama, Bush, and Ex-Presidents Have Historic Lunch

CitizenSugar — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 14:35:05 -0800

President-elect Barack Obama, President Bush, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and Bill Clinton (that's all of the surviving past presidents) met up for lunch at the White House today in a historic gathering. Collectively the bunch has more than 30 years of presidential experience. Bush, who sat down with Obama recently, said:

One message that I have, and I think we all share, is that we want you to succeed. Whether we're Democrat or Republican, we care deeply about this country.

Obama said he was grateful for the opportunity to get "advice, good counsel and fellowship" from the group. A White House spokeswoman said the last time all of the living presidents got together at the White House was in 1981. Apparently, all five men, including Clinton and Carter, who are not exactly friendly with one another, were on their best behavior and put aside differences for the day. To see a short video of what the bunch had to say, read more.

What do you think they really talked about?
Source

Should Jeb Bush Run For President Someday?

CitizenSugar — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 09:30:35 -0800

In an interview with FOX News Sunday former president George Bush senior described his youngest son, Jeb, the former governor of Florida, "as qualified and as able as anyone I know in the political scene" to be president.

"I'd like to see him run. I'd like to see him be president some day. As president, it's about service, service for the greatest country on the face of the Earth and the honor that goes with it. I think Jeb fits that description."

Bush senior added that "right now is probably a bad time, because we've got enough Bushes in there," but that Jeb should run for Senate from Florida.
Source

The Long and Short of It: Does Size Matter in a President?

CitizenSugar — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:15:22 -0700

Do looks matter in a president? Perhaps, though, you can ask the infamous JFK/Nixon debate match up on that one - but how about sheer size? With Obama's workout regiment closely watched earlier this campaign, in the face-off between 6'1.5", 180 lbs. Obama, and 5'7", 165 lbs. McCain, will the top dog be the biggest in the pack?

The New York Times took the weights and measurements of the men running for president back to the turn of the century to see if there's any truth to the rumor that tall men rule.

The results? Not always. Perhaps presidential shorter/heavier loser Ford is a little resentful that he lost his match up on the scale with Jimmy Carter, while Nixon was similarly shorter and heavier than both McGovern and Humphrey and won both match-ups.

To see some of the other stand out numbers, read more.

Though taller doesn't always win, the taller man has won 17 times to the shorter victors' eight in the elections since 1896.
Does a battle of the bulge have anything to do with winning? Ask William Taft, I suppose. At 332 lbs. he still beat his opponent - as did 18 other "heaviers." The lighter man only won eight times.
What's the real long and short of it? The tallest president was Abraham Lincoln at 6'4"; the shortest was James Madison at 5'4".
The Times graphic is worth a look, all the heights and weights are right there. I mean, if that's what it takes to be president . . . uh, maybe I'll pass? None of your beeswax, voters!

Source

Ralph Wiggum for Prez

GiggleSugar — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 11:00:00 -0800

Forget all this caucus mumbo jumbo, I already know who I'm voting for this election. He's bipartisan, wears a tie everyday, and despite his youth, is already at a loss for hair. If these qualities don't denote maturity and prudence, then. . .I don't care. He's a good boy.

Too Much Information, President Bush

GiggleSugar — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 02:00:00 -0800

This is obviously dated, but who doesn't love a good Freudian slip? Especially when we're talking ~~sex~~ politics.

She's Hott 4 Hill

GiggleSugar — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 11:50:00 -0700

Remember the self-proclaimed "Obama Girl"? Well, she has an equally obnoxious counterpart who has the hots for Clinton-- Hillary, that is. Call it a girl crush, but this politically-minded diva is after more than Hill's affection, she wants you to "put a hot chick in the Oval Office." Now I'm all for free speech, but maybe we can exercise our rights without the star-spangled bikini next time?

She's Got A Crush On Obama

GiggleSugar — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 07:00:00 -0700

Eat your heart out Monica, cuz there's a new intern gone wild on Capitol Hill. She shamelessly calls herself "Obama Girl" and recently released a music video to show her support (among other things) for presidential hopeful, Barack Obama. With lines like, "universal health care reform/it makes me warm/...you can Barack me tonight," she's at least sticking to the issues here. Loosely, that is. Very "loosely."

Dear Poll: What Celebrity Would you Want to see as President?

DearSugar — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 10:30:00 -0700

No matter what your current presidential views are, we all have specific issues we wish our leader would address. Politics is an extremely touchy subject, sure to spark heated debate no matter what side you sit on. The President has authority on every issue ranging from global warming to the war in Iraq; so if you could choose any celebrity to lead our country, which would you, trust with your future?

Source