French President Sarkozy greets President Bush today with a little bit of that je ne sais quoi.White House photo by Sheelhah Craighead.
by Mark Silva
Relations between the Bush administration and France have been somewhat frosty ever since the French refused to support the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, but with a change of leadership in Paris the trans-Atlantic bond seems to be undergoing a renaissance.
Nicolas Sarkozy, the French president, arrived at the Bush family’s summer home on the coast of Maine today for lunch – and 2007 is starting to look like a very good year in U.S.-Franco ties.
On the occasion of the French leader’s visit, reporters at Walker’s Point asked President Bush if he could speak any French.
“No, I can't,’’ Bush said. “I can barely speak English.’’
And what was for lunch?
“We're going to give him a hamburger or hot dog, his choice,’’ Bush said.
With mustard or catsup?
“It’s up to him.’’
President Bush and his parents welcome French President Sarkozy at the Bush family summer home in Kennebukport. White House photo by Sheelah Craighead.
All kidding aside, Bush said he was looking forward to a “heart-to-heart’’ talk with Sarkozy.
“We've had good relations with France,’’ Bush said. “Obviously there's been disagreements, but just because you have disagreements on particular issues doesn't mean you have -- not going to have good relations. I respect the French a lot and… I respect the French people, I respect the history of France. We have had disagreements -- on Iraq, in particular -- but I've never allowed disagreements to not find other ways to work together.’’
Sarkozy was in accord.
“Do we agree on everything?’’ the French leader said through a translator. “No. Because maybe even within a family there are disagreements, but we are still a family. And we may be friends and not agree on everything, but we are friends, nevertheless. That's the truth.’’
Laura Bush had invited Sarkozy and his wife, Cecilia, when the Bushes attended a Group of Eight summit in Germany earlier this year. And the first French couple had spent a week’s vacation in New Hampshire just before this visit – though they had to return to France for a day for a funeral, and then Cecilia Sarkozy got a sore throat and had to pass up today’s visit to the Bushes.
“We were looking forward to seeing her, as well as the children,’’ Bush said. “And so we're disappointed she's sick, but we understand. That happens sometimes in life.’’
“Very nice of him to come, having been back to France yesterday,’’ the president’s father, former President Bush, said as the Bushes and their French visitor greeted reporters and fielded a few questions outside his home on the point at Kennebunkport.
The president was asked if he is surprised that his French counterpart would vacation in the United States.
“If people were asking me where I think they ought to vacation, it would be right here in America -- where I'll be vacationing, as you know. Monday, starting in Crawford.’’
Could he imagine spending his own vacation in a foreign country?’
“Of course I could… Yes, there's some spectacular spots around the world that would be….
“We’ve done it,’’ his father interjected.
“Great places to relax,’’ the son said. “But as you know… I’m a fellow… I'm a Texan, I like my place down there. I like to go down there as much as I can. It's where I can relax.
“The job follows you wherever you go, you're always president,’’ he said. “And so here we are at my Mother and Dad's house, enjoying a beautiful Maine day, fixing to sit down with the president of France. We're going to have a heart-to-heart talk. We'll be talking about a lot of key issues.’’
But what if Sarkozy invites him to vacation in France -- might he go? “Absolutely,’’ Bush said. “Absolutely. Particularly if he could find a place for me to ride my mountain bike.’’
“Plenty of mountains over there,’’ his father said.
. Sarkozy was asked what message he was bringing.
“I came to visit the United States on holiday, on vacation, like 900,000 French do every year,’’ he said through a translator. “ It's a great country. I'm very happy to be here. The United States is a close friend of France, and I'm very glad to be able to meet with the President of the United States here today.
“I just finished reading a biography of Lafayette, and I wanted to tell President Bush about that,’’ he said. “The U.S. and France have been allies and friends for 250 years. At the birth of the United States, France chose the side of the U.S. -- there were four million Americans at that time, and France was the friend of the Americans. Afterwards we, the French, were involved in the war -- the West were on our side. And on the East Coast, we see a lot of cemeteries with small white crosses -- on the French coast -- and those are young Americans who came to die for us.
“And that is a lot more important than Mr. Sarkozy or Mr. Bush,’’ the French leader said, “because after Mr. Bush, after Mr. Sarkozy, we'll continue to be friends of the Americans.’’
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Comments
When did the House of representatives do away with the Republican's childish freedom fries?
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 11, 2007 5:07 PM
"hot dogs and hamburgers"? To a person from a country known for quality cuisine? What's the matter, Dubya - too cheap to spring for some decent barbecue?
I hope Mr. Sarkozy puked all that lousy food onto Bush's lap, just like H.W. Bush barfed onto the lap of the Japanese prime minister years ago.
Posted by: BC | August 11, 2007 5:14 PM
I wonder if our nutty Republican Commander Guy didn't also offer him some GOP "Freedom Toast" for breakfast?
Posted by: John E | August 11, 2007 5:32 PM
I remember the pathetic bs about, "freedom fires" & "let's embargo France".
I don't recall anyone having a good idea about what to do with the Statue of Liberty.
Posted by: RomanB | August 11, 2007 5:51 PM
Did I hear that right? They are flying the French flag on Kennebunkport?
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 11, 2007 6:41 PM
I guess that foul overboosted powerboat of the Bushes (see earlier Silva article in The Swamp) has scared or killed off all the local seafood delicacies. Que c'est triste!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 11, 2007 6:46 PM
Hot dogs and hamburgers for a visiting diginitary?!?! He is no Texan - a real Texan would have brisket or beef ribs for him.
Posted by: Attrill | August 11, 2007 7:44 PM
Give Pres. Bush a break, I like hamburgers and hot dogs, what are you? some hoitty toitty person, who feels they are above everybody else. Big Whoop! People like you make me want to puke!!!!
Posted by: Karen Wade | August 11, 2007 8:33 PM
why didn't you post my comment? Because I like Bush? That's right, I do, and I do hate democrats!!!!!
Posted by: Karen Wade | August 11, 2007 8:49 PM
How silly the posted comments are. Does anyone have a sense of humor? Do you REALLY think President Bush served hamburgers and hot dogs? Get real.
Posted by: Linda | August 11, 2007 9:11 PM
..."Do you REALLY think President Bush served hamburgers and hot dogs?"...
...why not...FDR served hotdogs to the King and Queen of England when they visited the US in 1939...
Posted by: The Original BZ | August 11, 2007 9:33 PM
Karen Wade,
What's your position in Bush's diplomatic corps?!!
Posted by: Kenny Bunkport | August 11, 2007 10:01 PM
Screw the hamburgers and hot dogs. This is the meat and potatoes of this article:
I've never allowed disagreements to not find other ways to work together.’’
Since when? This is the same buffoon who said a month ago that Congress' only job was to pass his war spending bills.
And Karen, you need a drink and then you need to sit down and seriously ask yourself why you, a woman, would defend this idiot. Ever heard of Sandra Day O'Connor or Ruth Bader Ginsberg? How about Elizabeth Cady Stanton? Toni Morrison? Sarah McLachlan? Women like you make me wish I had a penis just so I wouldn't have to be classified with you in the next US Census.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 11, 2007 10:34 PM
Posted by Mrs. Jesus August 11, 2007 10:34 PM
Excellent post, Mrs. Jesus, I'm impressed!
Posted by: John E | August 11, 2007 11:32 PM
"'hot dogs and hamburgers'? To a person from a country known for quality cuisine?"
* * * * *
Posted by: BC | August 11, 2007 5:14 PM
Quality cuisine?
Guy, these people eat freakin' snails! That's quality? And their next favorite bit - truffles - has to be harvested by pigs or specially trained dogs.
I'm genuinely afraid to think of what their bums look for in dumpsters to eat.
"I'll have a hamburger for which I'd gladly pay you Tuesday."
- Wimpy
Posted by: John W. | August 12, 2007 1:32 AM
I see we have some the same maniacal rantings from the Loony Left.
Mrs. J. sorry to inform you, Bush has done more to work the Democratic party than the Demoncrats in Congress ever did to work with Bush.
But then facts and reality never did have any relationship with the maniacal alternative sureality of the Loony Left.
Posted by: John D | August 12, 2007 11:14 AM
I see John W. thinks France is not known for it's cuisine!!
Yeah, and Italians eat squid tentacles!
Yucky!
Posted by: C.Morris | August 12, 2007 12:03 PM
Hamburgers, hotdogs & ... freedom fries?
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 12, 2007 1:11 PM
Mrs. J. sorry to inform you, Bush has done more to work the Democratic party than the Demoncrats in Congress ever did to work with Bush.
The gig is up, John. Quit lying. We all know this idiot is delusional and will veto every bill that doesn't cater to his coporate interests. Stubbborn people, like you are just too simple to understand that you've been taken in by the biggest lie in US history. It's over, John. Go home. How exactly are you guys going to vote for "None of the Above?" My sisters and I are burning candles to raise Lincoln's spirit.
And John D., I do appreciate that you don't use that condescending, sexist "Dear" that you usually use to refer to women on this site.
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 12, 2007 1:52 PM
rs. J. sorry to inform you, Bush has done more to work the Democratic party than the Demoncrats in Congress ever did to work with Bush.
You mean like that fabulous immigration bill all of you Republicans just adored that went no where? Name something else that shows he is totally non-partisan in all his dealings with congress.
Posted by: lochnessmonster | August 12, 2007 3:14 PM
Karen Wade,
Chill pill, honey bunney. Engage your brain before lock-step & keyboard.
Why do you hate Democrats?
Make it hurt so good!
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 12, 2007 3:53 PM
DZ,
I think Karen Wade = John D[evola]
Posted by: C.Morris | August 12, 2007 8:46 PM
Lochness, Bush worked in bipartian way on No Child Left Behind, campaign finance reform, tax cuts (many Dems did vote for it), Iraq War (geez, about half of the Demoncrats voted for that), Patriot Act, minimum wage increase. Hmmm, only minimum wage has been something passed through the the Demoncratic Congress that Bush could sign. Wow, the Demoncrats have accomplished so much in 8 months haven't they?
C Morris, I post as one person and one person only, me. Us folks on the right don't need to post as others or create other people like John E., Janet dear, dt, and on and on and on and on.
Posted by: John D | August 12, 2007 9:46 PM
C. Morris,
Um, could be!
Posted by: Doug Zook | August 12, 2007 10:07 PM
Yucky!
Posted by: C.Morris | August 12, 2007 12:03 PM
You betcha!
Posted by: John W. | August 12, 2007 11:26 PM
I suprised he didn't offer him BS, that's what he feeds the American people.
Posted by: Ken | August 13, 2007 8:27 AM
Johnny D:
Bipartisan way?? All those thing that were mentioned were pushed BY Bush through a Republican controlled Congress. Now that the Dems are in charge, he is finding out that bipartisan does not mean "my way or the highway". Maybe it is more his fault that he will not sign legislation passed through Congress because he does not like it. Even the SCHIP program, which was a bipartisan effort, is heading for a veto.
Tell me Johnny D. - why does Bush hate children??
Posted by: BobinATL | August 13, 2007 11:38 AM
Apparently Ms. Sarkozy has better taste than does Karen Wade.
Posted by: Rick/Sneads Ferry, NC | August 13, 2007 6:17 PM
"Women like you make me wish I had a penis just so I wouldn't have to be classified with you in the next US Census."
Posted by: Mrs. Jesus | August 11, 2007 10:34 PM
Does that mean . . .
. . . the five you keep hidden in your freezer don't count?
- or,
. . . you prefer to be classified with Karl Rove, George W. Bush "Dick" Cheney - and all other penis possessing people?
Posted by: John W. | August 13, 2007 9:53 PM
Ms. Sarkosy blew off the BBQ, said she was ill, then was seen shortly thereafter shopping up a storm. Guess she knows a weenie (roast) when she sees one.
John W., I'll give you that snails don't sound too appetizing, about as tasty as Bull testicles, I imagine. But I can tell you this, a one Micheline star restaurant in France is superior to most three star restaurants in the U.S. The French take a lot of pride in their cuisine. You have to go out your way to get a bad meal over there.
Posted by: dt | August 13, 2007 11:42 PM
What does this say?
"Screw them fancy French gourmets! Let 'em see how us Americans eat. Hot dog or hamburger, Mr Epicurian? You want some Freedom Fries with that? After your hot dog, I want to show ya some of my black velvet paintings."
Posted by: Giraffe | August 14, 2007 2:52 AM
dt:
It's okay, really. I don't go to restaurants to eat any more. I cook for myself, and I don't even eat meat - much less the nasty goopy bits - or anything else that reminds me of Rock Hudson.
Posted by: John W. | August 14, 2007 9:25 AM