Does anyone in Europe – let alone in the United States – care about George W. Bush’s farewell visit to Europe?
Beyond the fact that no one mentioned the painful rupture over Iraq, this seems to be the key matter at hand in this whimsical French look at President Bush’s final visit to France as America’s commander-in-chief.
Capturing the mood for France’s Rue 89 newspaper and taking a dig at the American media over how little coverage Bush’s visit has received in the U.S., Guillemette Faure relates this exchange between two American reporters:
“– I’ve rarely seen a presidential trip so quiet. These beautiful cities and nothing happens …
— It makes me feel a little guilty. Such a high cost and so little to write …”
“Berlin, Rome, Paris, London and Belfast … The American press has provided few details about the European trip of the “Lame Duck,” as all presidents are called at the end of their mandate.
We had almost forgotten he was still there. The satirical program The Daily Show even has a regular segment entitled ‘George Walker Bush: Still President.’ According to the latest episode: “With Barack Obama and John McCain hogging the front pages in the United States, still President Bush decided to get out of town and take a quick trip to Europe, making him one of the few Americans who can still afford to travel to Europe.”
Referring to John McCain in characterizing the unusual loyalty of Nicolas Sarkozy to President Bush, Faure writes:
“It’s true that Bush seems to appreciate him. And how could he think otherwise of this French President, so ready to offer testimonials of friendship when in Bush’s own party, Republican candidate John McCain must keep him at a distance to preserve his chances.”
By Guillemette Faure
Translated By Sandrine Ageorges
June 14, 2008
France – Rue 89 – Original Article (French)
Both at their lowest point in the polls, “George” and “Nicolas” put their presidential friendship on display at the Elysée Palace.
“Follow me quickly – we’ll do something that isn’t in the program” … At the end of the press conference of George Bush and Nicolas Sarkozy, the American press secretary approached the White House Press corps. “Come, quickly …” The element that had been added was “a walk,” both presidents walked side-by-side down Gabriel Avenue …
Exciting! Two hours earlier at the Elysée Palace while waiting for Bush and Sarkozy, one American journalist leaned over from his golden chair toward his neighbor:
— I’ve rarely seen a presidential trip so quiet. These beautiful cities and nothing happens …
– It makes me feel a little guilty. Such a high cost and so little to write …”
Berlin, Rome, Paris, London and Belfast … The American press has provided few details about the European trip of the “Lame Duck,” as all presidents are called at the end of their mandate.
We had almost forgotten he was still there. The satirical program The Daily Show even has a regular segment entitled George Walker Bush: Still President. According to the latest episode: “With Barack Obama and John McCain hogging the front pages in the United States, still President Bush decided to get out of town and take a quick trip to Europe, making him one of the few Americans who can still afford to travel to Europe.”
A cartoon in The Washington Post shows him disembarking from Air Force One in Europe: “Do they still hate us?” he asks one of his aides. “Tell them you come from a country that may elect Obama,” the aide says.
READ ON AT WORLDMEETS.US, along with continuing translated foreign press coverage of President Bush’s tour of Europe and the U.S. Presidential election.
Founder and Managing Editor of Worldmeets.US