Obama calls Bush before speech to tell him about his Iraq plan . . .

[bigtree]

(CNN) – President Barack Obama called former President Bush on this morning to tell him about his plan to withdraw troops from Iraq, the White House said Friday.

Obama called the former president “as a courtesy” right before his speech at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina, according to White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/02/27/obama-calls-bush-2/

[snappyturtle]

1. Why? I am not happy with this plan but then no one asked me my opinion. nt

[OhioChick]

2. I wouldn't have called as a "courtesy." n/t

[Ioo]

3. "Hello Mr Bush? Yah this is Barack. Wanted to let you know I am going to clean up your mess"

[OKNancy]

4. It's because the President is classy and has good manners... and it's good politics.

[bigtree]

6. thank you Ms. Manners

:D

[babylonsister]

He called al-Maliki, too...

and I also think his actions reek of class.


http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/O/OBAMA_BUSH?SITE=CONGRA&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

Obama calls Bush, al-Maliki with his Iraq plans

By BEN FELLER
Associated Press Writer

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. (AP) -- President Barack Obama has called former President George W. Bush and Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to brief them on his plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.

White House press secretary Robert Gibbs says Obama called al-Maliki from Air Force One on his way to Camp Lejeune (lih-ZHOON') for a speech announcing his troop withdrawal plan. Gibbs says Obama called Bush from the Marine Corps Base in North Carolina, shortly before going on stage to lay out his plan.

Gibbs said Obama called the former president as a courtesy.

[bigtree]

9. he's a classy guy

I imagine Bush took it like a finger in his eye.

[graywarrior]

5. Sounds like what they do, them presidents

WTF do we know?

[AndyA]

7. Transcript of Obama/Bush phone conversation:

B: Hello?

O: George, this is Barack.

B: Well hey there, Barack, how ya doin'?

O: Fine, thankyou. And you?

B: Oh, I jes been clearin' sum brush over 'en Crawford, sleepin' in, hangin' with Gonzo, stuff like that.

O: This is a courtesy call to let you know that I'm about to announce the withdrawal of troops from Iraq in 2010.

B: Oh yeah? Ya think that there Mallakey will be able to keep things under control by then?

O: We've spoken, and we both believe he can.

B: Well, you know, yer gonna haff to find somethin' for Halliburton to do, they depend on those gubment contracts, and they employ a lot of people...we don't want any more layoffs now, do we?

O: That's another issue. The purpose of this phone call...(Bush starts talking in background: "Bring me another toddy would ya?") ...was just to let you know first... (Bush in background, again: "And I told you I always want pretzels in this dish in here") ...before I announce it to everyone else.

B: Oh, ah ahpreciated that kind thought, Brack...(belch)...might kind of ya to call me.

O: You enjoy your day, George.

B: Oh, I will. Laura an me are goin' shoppin', she wants to redecorate the new house, ya know. And with the economy in the shitter, things are really cheap so she's savin' a ton of money! Couldn't have worked out better for us if we'd tried! You take care now, Barack.

O: (Almost speechless...) You too.

And now we know why the economy sucks so bad...in addition to padding his cronies pockets for the last 8 years, George wanted to be able to decorate his new house on the cheap as well!

:rofl:

:sarcasm:

[bigtree]

10. lol

nice

[SmileyRose]

8. They'll never be able to say he was thoughtless or rude.

The man is polite to a fault.

[spanone]

11. perhaps he reminded mr bu$h* of the number of deaths incurred by his illegal war

[zbdent]

12. two thoughts on that one ...

first impression:

Bush: "You have a plan?"

second impression:

Bush: "Gee, that's nice. When we went into Iraq, Unka Dick never called me to tell me what was going on ..."

[jobycom]

13. It's not a courtesy, it's good government.

No one wants Bush surprised by this, or caught off guard with a question about it. If he misunderstands something or gives an unprepared answer that contradicts Obama, it would send a message that our government was divided or confused. Bush needs to know what's going on so he can answer questions--from reporters or from his connections involved with Iraq.

I'd like to to think that no matter his (or our) personal opinion of Bush, the President communicates with him, learns what (little) Bush knows on a subject, and considers that in any of his decisions. A good leader uses all resources--even the stinky ones.

[bigtree]

15. I'm struck by the continuity of it all

. . . not necessarily an organic occurrence.

[Why Syzygy]

14. It's known as "Diplomacy" . a brand new trend.

:bounce: