Below are two articles describing Bush's ineptitude when it comes to acting like a head of state--Newsflash: Protocol Matters!!! The first discusses his gaffe when Queen Elizabeth visited America a month ago, and because bungling interaction with royalty isn't enough, the second covers his recent gaffe when meeting with the Vicar of Christ.
'DUMB DUBYA' IN RIGHT ROYAL GAFFE
08/05/2007 13:02 - (SA)
London - British newspapers were scathing on Tuesday about US President George W Bush's blundering welcome for Queen Elizabeth II, labelling him "Dumb Dubya" and saying he has the "gift for the gaffe".
Bush messed up at a ceremonial welcome for the queen at the White House Monday when he spoke of a visit paid by Elizabeth to mark the 200th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence from Britain "in 17 - in 1976".
After the queen looked up at him from beneath her wide-brimmed black hat, he winked at her, before turning to the laughing audience and telling them: "She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
Britain's media, which has revelled in reporting previous Bush bloopers, claimed that this was among his worst.
The nation's biggest-selling paper, the right-wing tabloid Sun, accused Bush of making "one of his great verbal blunders" while the centre-right broadsheet The Times headlined its piece: "Oops, he did it again."
"On a morning that should by rights have been frozen in time as a moment of pure pageantry, with military marching bands, pipers trucked out in tricorn hats and powdered wigs, and visiting royalty, one can count on George Bush," the centre-left broadsheet The Guardian said.
"The president yesterday once again demonstrated his gift for the gaffe, injecting an unintended sense of levity into the White House welcome for the queen."
'Her majesty's withering look spoke volumes'
This was not Bush's first slip in front of the monarch, the Guardian added.
"When she visited the White House in 1991 during his father's presidency, he said he was the black sheep of the Bush family.
"He then asked: 'Who's yours?' The queen did not reply," it said.
The right-wing tabloid The Daily Mail asked: "Is he winking at One?" and said that Bush could have tried to recover from his initial blunder in several ways.
"But turning to her and giving her a sly wink is probably not included in any book of royal etiquette," it added.
In an editorial, centre-left tabloid The Daily Mirror dubbed Bush "Dumb Dubya," adding: "Her majesty's withering look spoke volumes, giving the watching public and the president a very clear message.
"Which is more than he ever manages."
BUSH IN HOLY GAFFE
09/06/2007 14:10 - (SA)
Vatican City - US President George W Bush drew gasps at the Vatican on Saturday by referring to Pope Benedict XVI as "sir" instead of the expected "His Holiness", pool reporters said.
They could clearly hear the US leader say "Yes, sir" when the pope asked him if he was going to meet with officials of the lay Catholic Sant'Egidio community at the US embassy later during his visit.
A handful of pool reporters were on hand as Benedict greeted Bush at the door of his private library ahead of a private audience of about half an hour.
On his way to see the 80-year-old pontiff, the US leader apparently recognised someone he knew, and could be heard greeting the person with a casual "How ya doin'?"
The pool reporters also noted Bush's relaxed posture, crossing his legs "Texan style" while facing the pope across his desk in the private study of the apostolic palace.
hilarious. isn't it?
ReplyDeleteThis is embarrassing, I have to admit. Perhaps more reason for a Condi Rice presidency, no? Style, refinement, intelligence, and high culture, are sorely missing in both parties these days. I'm dreaming, at least for '08, but perhaps one day...
ReplyDeleteBut an injudicious wink at royalty is less a blunder than Oval Office hanky-panky.