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In Brazil, Bush plays host and guest
By Deb Riechmann, Associated Press Writer
Saturday, March 10, 2007 | 1 comment(s)
SAO PAULO, Brazil - President Bush was on Latin time on Friday. And it may have disoriented him a bit.
First, his news conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was 42 minutes late in starting. Then, Silva unleashed an opening statement that wandered along for more than 13 minutes.
Bush, known to prefer brevity in all public speaking - especially when it's not him holding the microphone - was becoming visibly uncomfortable as Silva's comments went on.
Bush clipped through his opening remarks in six minutes.
But his mind may have wandered while he was speaking. In closing, he told Silva “Mr. President, I'm so glad you're here” - as if it was the American who was the host rather than the Brazilian.
He quickly corrected himself. “I mean, so glad I am here,” he said, to much laughter.
It wasn't long before Bush's impatience with the proceedings flared. After the leaders had answered one question each from the American and Brazilian media, there seemed a hesitation before Silva called on another reporter from his press corps.
“Get another question moving,” said Bush.
After the stodgy news conference, Bush was ready to cut loose.
At a community center in Sao Paulo, the president was treated to a performance of a Brazilian samba by children.
Tired of standing along a wall, Bush shucked his coat, grabbed a Brazilian rattle known as a ganza, and shook it along to the music.
Soon first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined in for some dancing. The first lady begged off for a bit until a young man joined her in a slow-dance pose for the upbeat music.
Halfway through the second number of the wild production, drummers waved their sticks above their heads and pounded brightly colored drums.
“Oh yeah,” President Bush hollered after the earsplitting finale.
First, his news conference with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was 42 minutes late in starting. Then, Silva unleashed an opening statement that wandered along for more than 13 minutes.
Bush, known to prefer brevity in all public speaking - especially when it's not him holding the microphone - was becoming visibly uncomfortable as Silva's comments went on.
Bush clipped through his opening remarks in six minutes.
But his mind may have wandered while he was speaking. In closing, he told Silva “Mr. President, I'm so glad you're here” - as if it was the American who was the host rather than the Brazilian.
He quickly corrected himself. “I mean, so glad I am here,” he said, to much laughter.
It wasn't long before Bush's impatience with the proceedings flared. After the leaders had answered one question each from the American and Brazilian media, there seemed a hesitation before Silva called on another reporter from his press corps.
“Get another question moving,” said Bush.
After the stodgy news conference, Bush was ready to cut loose.
At a community center in Sao Paulo, the president was treated to a performance of a Brazilian samba by children.
Tired of standing along a wall, Bush shucked his coat, grabbed a Brazilian rattle known as a ganza, and shook it along to the music.
Soon first lady Laura Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice joined in for some dancing. The first lady begged off for a bit until a young man joined her in a slow-dance pose for the upbeat music.
Halfway through the second number of the wild production, drummers waved their sticks above their heads and pounded brightly colored drums.
“Oh yeah,” President Bush hollered after the earsplitting finale.
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