In Asia, Hoping Domestic Themes Also Travel Well

[kskiska]

(snip)

The trip's frenetic pace was one indication of the White House's limited ambition for making an impression on local audiences. Bush spent 17 hours in Japan, 9 in the Philippines, 64 in Thailand, 15 in Singapore, 3 in Indonesia and 21 in Australia. That left no time to mingle with locals, speak to a nongovernment audience, eat in a restaurant, view a tourist attraction or attend a public cultural event.

An aggressive Australian campaign to persuade him to stop by the Rugby World Cup was rebuffed by the White House long before the trip.

Bush's aides said his schedule was so tight because he is a businesslike person who likes to do his work and get on to the next stop, and because he knows his security and entourage are tremendous burdens on his hosts.

In one event aimed mostly at a local audience, Bush had hoped to elevate Prime Minister John Howard of Australia, which was the largest source of troops for Iraq and Afghanistan after the United States and Britain.

But Bush's visit was preceded by hostile coverage about his reference to Howard as a "sheriff" when prompted by an interviewer, and the president's message to parliament about remaining steadfast against terrorists was overwhelmed by news coverage of the hecklers who interrupted him.

more…
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A17483-2003Oct25.html

[Spazito]

1. One itty bitty item that was not on Bush's traveling agenda was.....

visiting the troops he sent to die in Iraq. Interesting, isn't it. Yes, he is a businessman, a failed busnessman, he is no leader.

[diplomats]

2. Hey, kskiska

I know this is a nonsequitur, but what happened to your thread on that WaPo story on Iraq??

[kskiska]

3. It was a dupe.

I hadn't seen it, but realized it once it was removed.
Thanks for noticing, diplomats. It's posted here, though, by NNNOLHI.

[diplomats]

4. I didn't see the original

I'll have to search for it.

[madrchsod]

5. 6000???

or is it more?