If a leader other than Bush said this, would people make such a big deal out of it?

Would a leader other than Bush behave this way?

Does it offend you stephley that Bush is a Republican or hes says things that aren't necessarily as proper as others?

*that he

How do "yo" and a fistbump differ? They both are casual uses in much of society. Do I think either are professional? No. Do I think either are something worthy of criticism? No.

I agree Kim. Both Obama and Bush are doing something in their own style. I was not offended in the least by the fist bump, nor am I with the "yo". To each their own style to make others comfortable.

That he's behaving boorishly -it would be unseemly for any leader to behave this way at a summit. If they were visiting the ranch fine, kiss them all on the lips and be silly, but not at a G-8 summit. It's not a democrat or republican thing.

So then, what do you make of the fist bump that was so characterized in the media?

Yo goes the YoYo.

The fist bump was between a husband and wife at a pro-Obama rally - there was no reason to discuss a friendly, casual gesture and certainly not to characterize it as a terrorist signal. The media was ridiculous to make a big deal of it.

Bush is talking to World leaders at a G-8 Summit - not a bunch of political cronies at a cookout. Totally different situation.

Does anyone have anything in print with Harper's reaction?

Nothing alarms me about what he said. A lot of drama about the fluff and not enough about the content.

I agree pop, typical media for you though. Lets try to get a rise out of people instead of just giving them the important stuff...

I'd love to see Bill Clinton hi-5ing people at a summit or Obama fist bumping world leaders - I'm thinking then it would seem significant. Important evidence of their lack of diplomatic and/or leadership experience.

Perhaps when Obama has the chance to act on the world stage with world leaders you will be singing another tune.

Sincerely doubt it, but I know I wouldn't be cringing at his behavior.

Sincerely doubt it, but I know I wouldn't be cringing at his behavior.

Well now stephley wait a minute I really hate to disagree with you but I would love these stiff necked patriarchal ideologs to cut loose every now and then.

I'll never forget when the U.N. Assembly was dancing The Macarena. That was a hoot and that Madeleine Albright got giggy with it honey.

I think if its o.k. on the inside and none of the boys are bothered by it they should be silly now and then because it builds comradery.

I dont see the big issue here yo.

How do you know that you would not cringe at Obama? Isn't that a bit hypocritical by setting two different standards?

hypno, I'm with you. I love to see people in such stressful jobs and in such high powered positions cut loose now and then and just have a little fun. It helps make them more real to me.

I think comparing a fist bump between husband and wife to a President speaking so informally at the G8 Summit takes a big stretch of the imagination. They are waaaaaaay different. You are comparing apples and cars there.

That being said, I don't think this "Bush-ism" is the worst thing he has said by far. I actually thought, "that's it?" when I read the story. He jammed his foot in his mouth much worse before.

I actually prefer foot in the mouth because of silly behavior over foot in the mouth from flip flopping on the issues.

Jill I don't think they are all that different, not the actions anyway, the venue at which they were done, yes different. But to me the actions are both very casual uses in our society that have their roots in the streets.

Oh my God. I can't believe people are actually defending this man's idiotic behavior. You really think your leader should behave this way at a summit of the greatest economic powers? If you do, then I understand why you probably voted for him.

Again, does anyone know what Harper's reaction was?

Why the low blows .. honestly is it necessary..this is supposed to be a friendly place.

"If you do, then I understand why you probably voted for him." I dont think it gets more condescending than that.

Those aren't low blows. That's just an ironic statement. Why is everyone so defensive today?

Seriously though, how can you honestly defend out president acting that way regardless of Harper's reaction? It's not a frat house.

*out = our

I think the point that is trying to be made is that how Harper reacted is what is important is because he is the one working with Bush.

If we are going to make comments about who we voted for in 2004, why did the Democrats choose Kerry? Why wouldn't they have chosen a more viable candidate?

I understand what you're saying and I'M asking: does that matter? Do you think our president should behave as though he were pledging a fraternity.

Its just not that big of a deal and with all that is going on in this country a little silliness is no big deal. That is my opinion and one that is shared by a few here.

God, Hunter, you got me on that. I thought Kerry was an abomination. What a terrible politician. Easily one of the worst run campaigns in modern history.

Could he have been trying to lighten the mood? Could he have been trying to break the ice? We don't know we weren't there. It's not like he does this at every meeting he attends. Maybe he was glad to be there and excited to see the other leaders and got caught up in the excitement? I don't know I wasn't there, I'm just guessing since that's all I can do.

Racc-I have been thinking about that a lot recently. Who would you have chosen instead in 2004?

Look, and this is only my opinion, if it were the Correspondence Dinner or a small function of fun-loving zanies, I think it's appropriate. But at a G8 Summit? That's not really a silly occasion. They're talking about diminishing food production, easing international tariffs and fuel consumption. It's just a smug, condescending attitude that says to me "we don't have to care".

But that's just me.

That's a great question, Hunter and there was really no one. You had Gephardt, Kucinich, Dean (?), Sharpton and Edwards. Dear Lord, what the hell are you supposed to do with that?

In general do you think Bush is smug and condescending? Perhaps that is why you assume that was his reason for the silly comment. I honestly dont think he was thinking.. "we dont have to care"

People are going to have differing views on Bush now and forever. Yeah, I think he doesn't really care how he behaves because he's never had to. He's never once admitted he was wrong during his tenure and if any president since Buchanan should, it's this one. To me that's condescending and smug.

But I recognize that it's just my opinion and am always open to debate. I love when people change my mind.

It's interesting to me that so many people these days scream "lighten up" and say things like "if we can't laugh at ourselves now and then, we're in sorry shape" and yet we're finding such a grievous fault with something like this? I mean seriously, it's George Bush, don't you think that if we were there and saw him say this we'd crack up laughing because it would look and sound so strange coming from him? I know I would.

I get that people are not happy with "where" he did this not so much that he did it. I just think it's one of those situations where we weren't there we don't know what the tone of the room was at the time. And who knows who else was saying what? We only know this because this is what the media chose to tell us. Other things out of place things could have been said we just don't know.

I think there were a few people who made some poor decisions not just Bush, things were not handled the right way .. we all know this. But I like to think he had the country's best interest at heart I also try to put myself in his shoes, but Id rather not. I can not imagine having your every move criticized day in and day out.

Ok ladies and gents .. the man is ill and I must go tend to him. I hope all of ya'll have a great night...till tomorrow

Betty, I am 100% in agreement with you on that. I have done things ... I'm not proud of ... In any case, I don't think he really understands what this country is. I don't think he's someone who cares about someone making 50k/year. I don't think he cares about the poor and suffering and I don't think it bothers him that people are really hurting now with gas prices. If he did, he had 8 years to do something and instead we are now wallowing in a failed economy, the dollar is almost worthless and people are losing their jobs wholesale. Say what you want about Clinton's personal life, but that man left this country in much better shape than when he found it. That, to me, shows someone has the country's best interest at heart.

Thank you.

I think there's definitely better ways to "cut loose" than to speak like this at the G8 summit (one can be erudite AND good-humored and witty and charming, I think), but then again maybe I'm just an elitist. But then again, what does Bush care? He's outta here soon anyway.