Bush prefers Martin spokesman to his own

By Jane Taber
Globe and Mail


<snip>



This is the tale of the two Scotts — one American, the other Canadian. One is dark-haired, the other blond. Both are 35 and both work for the most powerful men in their respective countries.

Scott McClellan is the press secretary to U.S. President George W. Bush; Scott Reid is the senior strategist to Prime Minister Paul Martin.

But, according to Mr. Bush, Mr. Martin has the prettier Scott.



<snip>


The President chuckled. “Well, you got a pretty face,” he told the surprised Mr. Reid. He wasn't done. “You got a pretty face,” he said again. “You're a good-looking guy. Better looking than my Scott anyway.”

This is true. His Scott has a receding hairline and is on the chubby side, while Mr. Martin's Scott has a full head of hair and is quite fit.

For the first time in his life, Mr. Reid had no reply. “I didn't know what to say,” said Mr. Reid, noting later that he wished that Mr. Bush had referred to him as a “rugged-looking young man or something.

“But I'll take what I can, I guess,” he joked. “When a Texas Republican says you've got a pretty face, then I guess there is just no way around it.”



Full Text

Our _president has a way with words :eyes:

That scene from deliverance. There's our pRez.

*sigh*

:eyes:

Hey, pardner, would you mind picking up the pencil I dropped?

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I read this: "Bush prefers Martin spokesman to his own"

as

"Bush prefers Martian spokesman to his own"

:D

and bizarre. I think it does support the Ashe theory.

I musta missed that particular theory? Explanation?

and chimpy...see what comes up;-)

Could NOT believe a grown man would act this stupid. Maybe it was the pretzels talking!

I've been scouring google images until I could run down a photo of this fella:


Scott Reid

Sure wish WE had a spokesman we could send to apologize to Paul Martin's spokesman!

Georgie has never been good at it, and now that he's president we get to hear every utterance. What is laughable is how people try to make him out to be more than what he is. He is the product of a failed experiment. He is the result of the best colleges in the U.S.A. and the man's depth when it comes to handling himself socially is very shallow. Now what does that have to say about our Ivy league M.B.A. programs? Maybe being on the best fraternity on campus ain't what it's cracked out to be.

I don't buy it. He's an embarrassment with his insulting nicknames.

One of my children has a reading disability and one of the things you learn is that there are tricks they use to compensate for the disability. I think Bush has memory problems and has difficulty remembering people's names so he uses tags to compensate.

I have trouble remembering names also, but I would never be so bold as to label someone for fear of offending them. I just don't think we picked up on the potential rudeness of his quirk because the media did a great job of spinning his nickname fetish by using it as an example of how quickly he can endear himself to a person.

The nicknaming thing (which a dyslexic friend of mine does as a memory aid too ... although she NEVER reveals the names even to the recipients) -- it might serve a double purpose. O'Neill apparently says in the book that it's an arrogant way of marking one's territory. People don't dare stand up to Bush by saying, "please don't call me that", so he gets away with all kinds of veiled insults (e.g. "Balloonfoot" for Colin Powell).

Maybe it started out benignly, but Bush soon discovered that it was a way of keeping people in line. Let's face it, most ordinary kids who mouth off like that get punished (by adults or their own peers) sooner or later. I think you pretty well nailed it, TBC -- "I would never be so bold as to label someone for fear of offending them" -- Bush completely lacks the consideration that you have.

When he was a youngster in Texas, he used to goof off when his dad took him to high-level GOP functions. He would play jokes like tapping people on the opposite shoulder ... he doesn't seem to realize that those he singles out are putting up with it because his family is so powerful, and would freeze out a nobody who acted like that.

Or maybe he DOES realize it, and acts like a jerk to flaunt his legacy.

Contrast his actions with people who had to work hard to gain respect ... Bill Clinton for example ... he had to rely on good manners and showing respect, and couldn't take anyone for granted.

Even colleges can't produce miracles.

(re-post, since t'other thread got locked: ) Wonder what Mama STRAYHORN is gonna say about her boy (McCLELLAN) being dissed.

Side by side for comparison, and in the service of the eternal probe of Shrub's, uh, MIND. Plus, the original "pretty boy" headline:

******QUOTE*****

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20040116/REID16/TPInternational/TopStories
Bush prefers our pretty boy to his pretty boy

By JANE TABER ....
from here: http://www.uspoliticstoday.com/newsletter.php?nid=6938

Scott McClellan news

Bush prefers our pretty boy to his pretty boy 16 Jan 2004 10:28 GMT
... are 35 and both work for the most powerful men in their respective countries. Scott McClellan is the press secretary to U.S. President George W. Bush; Scott Reid is the ...

*****UNQUOTE****

Shrub's Canadian Scott:

Paul Martin's Scott Reid is blond

Looks as if we've got the wrong Canadian Scott Reid, dagnabbit!

I just found this photo:



with this information:

Scott Reid is the Member of Parliament for Lanark-Carleton. He is currently serving as the Official Opposition’s Senior Critic for Intergovernmental Affairs, Direct Democracy and the National Capital Commission. Along with these portfolios, he was appointed in March as co-chair of the transition team of new Canadian Alliance leader Stephen Harper.

Scott is considered a noted authority on Canadian federalism, having written two books on the subject – Lament for a Notion and Canada Remapped – as well as numerous articles. He has also appeared before parliamentary committees as an expert witness.

Prior to his election in November, 2000, Scott served as chief constitutional advisor to Preston Manning and was a speech writer for Stockwell Day. He has also taught at the University of Western Sydney in Australia.

http://www.canadianalliance.ca/english/caucus/reid.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Where can we find a photo of the OTHER Scott Reid? We really need to get a look at the guy who attracted such loutish attention from our pResident!

Thanks.

you just hear the dumbass during a debate? The mind boggles.

ban nan na na na na na na na

junior is truly wasting time and people's money.

the backroom boys do all the heavy lifting and Georgie just sits there wondering where his Cheeseburger got to and who's got the prettiest aides?

statements like that can get a Discriminatory Harassment charge against his homophobic ass.

miserable embarrassment he is. Hey Dixie Chicks, you aren't alone, lots of us are ashamed that he is from America.

Man--If I was Scott Reid, I'd look for a bunker somewhere and NEVER come out. This creeped me out in major fashion.

I mean to say... here comes the alleged leader of the free world. He giggles and says, "Well, you got a pretty face"... Yuck. I could see the thought balloon over Reid's head: "He's insane. He's totally blind barking mad. I've got to get out of here. Christ, he knows my name..."

Brrr. I'm still shivering, and not from the cold.

:puke:

How creepy would it be, to find Bush eyeing you suggestively as he proposes a "nice little walk to look at the waterfall" at his Crawford place?

Ick.

Regardless of which gender a person is, personal remarks like that are just inappropriate -- given that there is a "power relationship" (as the ombudsperson at my workplace would put it).

"Hmm, and I dismissed all those Victor Ashe."

that * didn't call him pretty.

i'm sure after a brief moment of jealousy, mcclellan is actually breathing a sigh of relief.

heh..

What a wildly inappropriate thing to say. Not once, mind you, but twice!

She was Jean Chretien's aide who last year was overheard calling the moron a moron thereby causing apoplexy and outbursts of outraged indignation among the members of Dubya's fan club in the US and Canada.

While flipping channels last night I stumbled upon a Martin Sheen interview where he was asked to defend the following assessment of Boosh. "He's like a bad comic working a room. Moron".

if the dunce cap fits........

He's INSANE!!! INSANE, I TELL YOU!!!!!

:silly: :crazy: :dunce: :hurts: :wow: :nuke: :nuke: :scared:

pleasepleasepleaseplease

his remarks were very odd, imo.

Couple cultural taboos there (at least for American hetero males):

a) NEVER use the word 'pretty' to describe another man. Never, ever, ever. In fact, apart from the image-conscious world of Metrosexuals, you just aren't to comment on another man's appearance, period (generally) -- ESPECIALLY if they aren't a close friend (where there might be an occasional exception to this...between sports talk, of course...).

b) If a hetero male DOES decide to compliment another man's appearance, for God's sake, don't tell him he has a pretty face. I really can't fathom the reaction of ANY hetero (and non-homophobic, I might add!) male I know to a statement that they 'have a pretty face'. Talk about making a guy squirm in his seat...As a hetero male, if a guy said that to me, I'd immediately assume he was trying to pick me up.

So no. This is NOT something that American hetero males would say to each other. Culturally speaking, that is.

It's just a nonsense concept dreamt up by a bored ad exec on a slow afternoon.
This doesn't have much to do with the thread, but hey! I hate that term.

I always preferred the old fashioned terms, "fop" or 'dandy' or 'clothes horse' anyway.

But even in that realm -- the realm of high-stylin' males -- it would seem culturally innappropriate to tell another male he had 'a pretty face'.

WTF?

Queen for a Day?

The Globe is usually quite Bushco positive. However, they are also quite liberal about same-sex marriage, gay rights, etc. so perhaps this article had a bit of hint, hint, nudge, nudge to it.

While there are a few right-wing columnists in there, they often print pieces by writers like Naomi Klein and Michael Valpy who are very critical of Bush.

And there have been editorials criticizing various aspects of his foreign and domestic policy ... plus, numerous unflattering photographs of him. (For example, they like close-up shots that show his skin blemishes and unshaven chin ... not the nicest thing to read over breakfast!)

I'd say that even though the paper is aimed at the old Progressive Conservative (and corporate Martin-style Liberal) viewpoint ... they aren't buying the neo-con hype. Compare the Globe to the National Post coverage of Bush ... the Globe is a lot more aloof towards him.

The Globe does print a wider spectrum of opinion than most newspapers that are essentially right wing. I would add Rick Salutin to your list, as well as the labour economist from the C.A.W. that they print on occasion (I forget his name just now). Several of the cultural columnists and the people on Saturday are not bad as well.

As for the Post, I can't comment. I just can't read the thing.

I saw him speak a few years ago. Very informative and quite funny, too.

How could have I have forgotten Rick Salutin! David Macfarlane (in the Culture section) and the TV review guy (now it's MY turn to forget names) have also stated their disapproval of Bush.

Agree with you on the Daily Tubby. They give out free copies at my workplace but I just can't get past the grinning visage of David Frum on the analysis pages.

Someone should forward this to Maureen Dowd because it is clear that George and Laura Bush must be having marriage problems. After all, how many happily married men comment on other men's appearances?

What a rude thing to do to McLellan. It's just George's way, always putting down his aides for their looks. He does the same with Gordon Johndroe, mocking him for his hair loss. He's always patting bald people's heads. He makes remarks about the physical characteristics of press people.

What a loathsome jerkwad.

And George? Your eyes are too close together and your nose is a mutation.

Karma, dude, karma. See ronnie raygun for modern example

I always knew AWOL liked men "that way".

heh..

Although at first glance I thought the headline was "Bush prefers MARTIAN spokesman to his own".

Bush is an embarrassment. Does no one have the gonads to stand up this bully?

Its true no heterosexual man would ever call another man pretty. But a narcissistic rich man will call another man's possessions "pretty." In fact, southern men, like Bush, will often call things "pretty" that you wouldn't usually think of as "pretty," like "thats a pretty tractor you got there." Or a pretty gun, a pretty dog, a pretty horse, a pretty oil well, whatever. The thing is, they use the word when referring to a piece of property. Its like Bush is admiring Martin's slave, "hey, thats a pretty one, much prettier than mine, where'd you get him." Completely demeaning not for any sexual reason, but rather because he was talking to this guy to his face as if he was a piece of property.

It just occurred to me that perhaps this was an anti-gay slur. Did he think this fellow's appearance looked "homo" and was using the word "pretty" as a putdown?

Scott Brison is a former Tory who joined the Liberals and now has a cabinet position. He's openly gay .... you know, if Bush just assumed that this was the same "Scott", this would be pretty insulting!

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/brison/

...from "Deliverance" while reading this.

"That one's got a purty mouth."

For a couple months now I've been trying to figure out if Bush was stupid or an evil genius.

Clearly it's the former.

Or were known to do under the stars when they were days or weeks from then next town with a "warm bed".

Does he have an owner?

it rates one more kick for the late night crowd.

go on and drop them panties and squeel like a pig...

"Hello, Prime Minister's office. How may I help you?"

"Hi. This is the White House calling. President Bush would like to talk to Prime Minister Martin."

"OK. Just a minute, I'll connect you...(click) Sir? President Bush is on the phone..."

"By all means! Thank you, Patty. Please put the call right through! Ahem...
(click)Hello, Paul Martin here."

"Please hold for the President, sir...(click)"

"Paulie Canuck? You there? Hee, hee...you remember that nickname, Paulie Canuck?"

"I....er....yes, Mr. President. Quite endearing, really..."

"Yeah! Heh, heh...you don't want to know what I called that Cretin guy..."

"Um, you told me what you called him at the conference. I've been willing myself to forget it..."

"Well, enough chit chat. I s'pose you'd like to know why I called?"

"That would be nice, Mr. President..."

"Okay. How'd you like to visit the White House next month? After all, now that we're friends again..."

"That would be quite an honour, sir. As I recall, you never extended that courtesy to my predecessor..."

"Pre-do-who? Yeah, well, you're with us not against us. I never trusted that French-speaking retard...what's wrong with his face anyway? Ugly sum'bitch..."

"Excuse me, sir. But I must protest, he was a democratically elected representative. Surely, you could display more respect..."

"Ugly is ugly, Paulie. Speaking of that, I'd like to ask for one favor..."

"Okay, what would that be?"

"You make sure you bring that that boy with the nice bone structcha. with ya, y'hear? (paper rustling) Scott Reid?"

"Well, of course. He's a trusted and vibrant member of my staff."

"Vibrant? Does that mean he likes...y'know...flowers?"

"Err...I'm not that intimate with his personal life..."

"Heh, heh...leave that to me...I mean...okay! Thanks, Paulie! See ya next month. Gotta go...God told me that I got a Crusade to lead...and flowers to get...do ya think he'd like a nick name? Hmmm. Scottie Violets? Hell! I'll think of somethin'...(click)..."

"Quite. (click) Patty?"

"Yes, Prime Minister?"

"Put me through to Scott Reid's office. I'm going to have to ask him how far he'll go for the sake of his country."