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| International |
| Bush mocks snotty NBC reporter |
| 2002-05-28 |
| President Bush yesterday derisively challenged press claims of widespread anti-Americanism in Europe and ridiculed an American TV correspondent for suggesting as much — in English and French — to him and French President Jacques Chirac. "So you go to a protest and I drive through the streets of Berlin, seeing hundreds of people lining the road, waving," Mr. Bush said to NBC News White House correspondent David Gregory during a joint press conference with Mr. Chirac. "I don't view hostility here," Mr. Bush said in the Palais de l'Elysee. "I view the fact that we've got a lot of friends here." He's been hanging around with Rumsfeld again. I can tell... He added: "And the fact that protesters show up — that's good. I mean, I'm in a democracy." Where everybody has a right to be stupid or not. Mr. Bush was responding to Gregory's question about anti-American demonstrations in Germany, Russia and France during the president's visits to these nations since Wednesday. "I wonder why it is you think there are such strong sentiments in Europe against you and against this administration?" the reporter said. "Why, particularly, there's a view that you and your administration are trying to impose America's will on the rest of the world, particularly when it comes to the Middle East and where the war on terrorism goes next?" Turning to Mr. Chirac, he added in French: "And, Mr. President, would you maybe comment on that?" "Have you quit beating your wife yet? And how about you, M. le President?" "Very good," Mr. Bush said sardonically. "The guy memorizes four words, and he plays like he's intercontinental." "Gosh, ain'tchoo erudite?" "I can go on," Mr. Gregory offered. "Wanna see how much smarter than you I am?" "I'm impressed — que bueno," said Mr. Bush, using the Spanish phrase for "how wonderful." He deadpanned: "Now I'm literate in two languages." The President of the United States is prohibited by law from mooning the press... Roars of laughter filled both the press conference room and a press filing center elsewhere in the city, where many members of the White House press corps were watching the exchange on live television. "Wotta Clymer!" Turning serious, the president spoke of the strong bond between most Europeans and Americans. "Look, the only thing I know to do is speak my mind, to talk about my values, to talk about our mutual love for freedom and the willingness to defend freedom," he said. "And, David, I think a lot of people on the continent of Europe appreciate that. "So if you don't have an opinion worth hearing, shut the hell up." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |
| #1 "Congrats, Gregory, you are now the News, not Bush..." I wonder if the producers at NBC have enough wit to realise that Gregory is now dead meat as a White House beat reporter. Perhaps a Geraldo-like tour of the Mideast and South Asia is a new career opportunity? Any future tough questions by Gregory to either GWB or Ari Fleischer will be met with the simple riposte: Que Bueno! |
| Posted by: Tom Roberts 2002-05-28 14:37:32 |