Bush to AP reporter who addressed him as sir: "Who are you talking to? "

[LittleApple81]

They even put it in writing. Our press corps are real wimps!!! He is the emperor.

Part of the transcript on whitehouse page:

snip...
Let me ask you a couple of questions. Who is the AP person?

Q I am.

THE PRESIDENT: You are?

Q Sir, in regard to --

THE PRESIDENT: Who are you talking to?

Q Mr. President, in regard to the June 30th deadline, is there a chance that that would be moved back?

THE PRESIDENT: No, the intention is to make sure the deadline remains the same. I believe we can transfer authority by June 30th. We're working toward that day. We're, obviously, constantly in touch with Jerry Bremer on the transfer of sovereignty. The United Nations is over there now. The United Nations representative is there now to work on the -- on a -- on to whom we transfer sovereignty. I mean, in other words, it's one thing to decide to transfer. We're now in the process of deciding what the entity will look like to whom we will transfer sovereignty. But, no, the date remains firm.
snip....

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040405-4.html

[SharonAnn]

1. Boy, he's insecure, isn't he? Or is that he doesn't know what

role he plays?

What a loser!

[qanda]

2. I just listened to this again and

After saying, "You are?" Bush* says, "Well then ask it then." I get more and more upset every time I think that he had the nerve to treat someone like that.

[hexola]

3. Was this mornings press bit a reply to the David Broder piece?

Bush trying to be the "man in charge"? Thus the snippy-ness.

Instead of acting as the man in charge...he did just the opposite. He gave up Rice and then turned on his heel and walked out of the briefing room even as reporters were trying to ask him questions.

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/rednews/2004/04/02/build/opinions/OPI002.html

[wtmusic]

4. What a major wuss

He should have come back with, "Your Assholiness,..."

[Demonaut]

5. the choad makes no sense! November wont come too early.

nt,

[hexola]

6. Wasn't the reporter actually wrong though?

Not to cut Bush any slack but...

Isn't a matter of some sort of protocol to address the President as "Mr. President"?

I bet that reporter's agency wasn't happy.

[sandnsea]

9. Compare & Contrast

Then sit down for a good cry. :cry:

http://www.usembassy-israel.org.il/publish/peace/archives/2000/october/me1011a.html

[Poiuyt]

11. Maybe, but it wasn't very gracious of bush

Can you imagine Jimmy Carter doing that?

[KC21304]

15. Is it some sort of protocol to demand to be addressed

as Mr. President to the point of embarrassing one reporter and then in the next breath demean another reporter by calling him Stretch twice in one exchange ? I think David Gregory should have responded, " Who are you talking to ?"

[Leilani]

7. Does anyone remember how he treated David Gregory

because he asked a question in French at a joint press conference.

This guy delights in treating people like serfs. I can never understand why people say he is popular because he has a good personality. I think he's just mean!

[stevedeshazer]

14. Yes, I sure do.

Also remember the guy who he said had a "face for radio":

From a Bush "press conference" on October 2003:

<snip>

THE PRESIDENT: Yes, I believe my brother made the right decision. Yes, I'll sign the ban on partial birth abortion. And, no, I don't think the culture has changed to the extent that the American people or the Congress would totally ban abortions.

Let's see. Mark Smith, a radio man.

Q Thank you very much, sir, for including our radio folks here.

THE PRESIDENT: A face for radio. (Laughter.)

Q I wish I could say that was the first time you told me that, sir. (Laughter.)

THE PRESIDENT: The first time I did it to a national audience, though. (Laughter.)

Q Actually -- my wife the last time. (Laughter.)

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2003/10/20031028-2.html
---------------------------------------------------------------------
The White House thought this was funny, but Mark Smith clearly did not enjoy having the Chimp-in-Chief make fun of his looks on national television.

[hexola]

8. I think Bush was genuinely confused...

That's how it struck me...it seemed like Bush was looking around for "Sir"

[AVID]

10. confused

sir is too nice a word

[RPM]

12. No Class

whatsoever.

Each day he embarrasses this country more...

[LoZoccolo]

13. No kidding.

I wonder if this'll be all over european news tomorrow.

[RPM]

16. I wonder if it will be covered in the mainstream US media

And while I am wishful thinking, perhaps this event will piss journalists off to the point where they challenge the administrations statements with the candid eye and open mind a free press is supposed to have...

[RPM]

17. Woo-hoo!!!!

One of the local Pittsburgh stations (KDKA CBS) showed Bush's remark at the news conference. Great water cooler topic tomorrow - Talk up the lack of class!!!! "Is this how the POTUS should act???"