Where's the love?

[Alpha Centauri]

Compare Bush with the others in the same line. They go to the leaders and shake their hands. The problem lies with Bush - he makes no attempt to approach any of them.

The man is a psychopathic lunatic who belongs in a jail.

[haydnguy]

Yeah, Bush is an idiot all right but who the REAL villain is in that administration is Cheney. He is evil. (I don't think I've ever said that about anyone else in my life).

[Chi_town/Philly]

Originally Posted by Reiner Torheit

Compare Bush with the others in the same line. They go to the leaders and shake their hands. The problem lies with Bush - he makes no attempt to approach any of them...[t]he man is a psychopathic lunatic...

Oh, brother.

LET'S TRY A LITTLE ROLE-PLAYING EXERCISE, SHALL WE?!
Fellahs, pretend you're Nicolas Sarkozy.
Gals, pretend you're Angela Merkel.
I know that for many, it'll really test your "acting chops," but humor me a little while, there's a greater point to be made.

Now, imagine you're one of these two leaders. You know that if you're photographed enthusiastically glad-handing with the eeevil one, that photo could possibly wind up as the center-piece of your opposition's advertising campaign, with the express goal of making a "hot-button" inference of invidious aspersion cast over that association. [This is one of the ways politics gets played in the real world- (usually).]

Now, put yourself back in the shoes of Nick or Angie. Do you interpret Bush's failure to approach you as evidence of psychopathic lunacy, or as evidence of courtesy?!

It's interesting how different things can look when one views things outside the box of one's own hardened preconceptions.

[Alpha Centauri]

I see an American President who simply hasn't got the elementary social skills to shake someone's hand.

[micrologus]

Originally Posted by Reiner Torheit

I see an American President who simply hasn't got the elementary social skills to shake someone's hand.

You hit the clue Reiner

[Chi_town/Philly]

Originally Posted by micrologus

You hit the clue Reiner

Umm... no, actually he didn't. My question wasn't about an individual poster's perspective (that's already clear enough), it was about Sarkozy's perspective. If you were he, wouldn't you be relieved that your political opposition was denied the opportunity to "posterize" you by having you on camera expressing warm friendlies to GWB?!

Sometimes, it's not all about you.

[Alpha Centauri]

Originally Posted by Chi_town/Philly

Umm... no, actually he didn't. My question wasn't about an individual poster's perspective (that's already clear enough), it was about Sarkozy's perspective. If you were he, wouldn't you be relieved that your political opposition was denied the opportunity to "posterize" you by having you on camera expressing warm friendlies to GWB?!

So you're suggesting that Sarkozy had pre-agreed with Bush that they would not shake hands? And Merkel had the same agreement - and all the others?

What would have happened if Bush had gone to Sarkozy and shaken his hand - do you think Sarkozy would have refused his hand? I mean, considering that Sarkozy and Merkel are just as right-wing as Bush is...

[haydnguy]

Well, in Sarkozy's case that's a bit reaching, but probably would be with any of them because everyone universally hates Bush and the "opposition" wouldn't even attempt what your suggesting because it would be ridiculed. Honestly.

He (Bush) isn't a left vs. right wing issue across the pond (from the U.S.). He is virtually universally hated. If Sarkozy is "right wing", he above all people, believes in diplomacy. (He's making a career of it in the Middle East). Which Bush only cares about in the last days of his Presidency in order to save a part of his legacy.

Bottom line, Sarkozy wouldn't care one way or the other because no one would ever believe he would cozy up to Bush at all.

[Philidor]

Blair was asked during a recent interview what he thought of Bush. He responded: 'Well, y'know, sorry, but I like the guy.'

I'm wasn't keen on some of Blair's policies but he came over well, as if he had some backbone, was loyal, wasn't just a fair weather friend.

If I was Sarkozy's or Merkel's political enemy it would be far more damaging to show 'before' and 'after' shots with them all over Bush before Obama, shaking his hand, sucking up to him, laughing at his jokes, then shunning him when he lost power. You could make it into a question of trust and character: these people show themselves to be disloyal hypocrites, not to be trusted, unfit for power.

[haydnguy]

I think people want to just move on though. Bush is really yesterday's news.