Bush won't leave China early

[seruriermarshal]

Bush won't leave China early

POSTED August 10 2008 8:58 PM BY Jon Ward Print
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President Bush will leave the Beijing Olympics about eight hours from this posting, but will not leave earlier than scheduled to deal with the growing crisis in Georgia, the White House told the Washington Times.

Russia continues to increase its aggression towards the former Soviet bloc, which is now an independent, pro-western sovereign nation. But after three days of Olympic activities, Mr. Bush will still stick around in Beijing to watch baseball practice on Monday.

Beijing is 12 hours ahead of East Coast Time, so it is currently almost 9 a.m. on Monday there. As I write, the president is scheduled to be in an interview with NBC Sports' Bob Costas.

Mr. Bush is scheduled to attend a 3 p.m. USA men's baseball practice, but his schedule has several hours open in which he "may attend Olympic events," according to his official schedule. He is scheduled to then depart Beijing at 4:45 p.m., local time. It seems possible that instead, Mr. Bush could leave Beijing right after the interview to return home, to be able to better coordinate the West's response to Russia's actions.

Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili has warned that if the West does not take strong action to stop Russia, then Russia could continue to act military against a number of its former communist bloc countries.

If Mr. Bush left in the next hour or two, he would return to the White House around noon on Monday, in time to work several hours during the day.

However, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said in an e-mail there is "no change in the president's schedule."

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who is with the president in Beijing, also wrote in an e-mail moments ago that he was "not aware of any schedule changes."

http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/potus-notes/2008/Aug/10/bush-still-planning-watch-usa-baseball-practice/

[ocean]

Bush won't leave China early

POSTED August 10 2008 8:58 PM BY Jon Ward Print
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Ask a Question
You Report
President Bush will leave the Beijing Olympics about eight hours from this posting, but will not leave earlier than scheduled to deal with the growing crisis in Georgia, the White House told the Washington Times.

Russia continues to increase its aggression towards the former Soviet bloc, which is now an independent, pro-western sovereign nation. But after three days of Olympic activities, Mr. Bush will still stick around in Beijing to watch baseball practice on Monday.

Beijing is 12 hours ahead of East Coast Time, so it is currently almost 9 a.m. on Monday there. As I write, the president is scheduled to be in an interview with NBC Sports' Bob Costas.

Mr. Bush is scheduled to attend a 3 p.m. USA men's baseball practice, but his schedule has several hours open in which he "may attend Olympic events," according to his official schedule. He is scheduled to then depart Beijing at 4:45 p.m., local time. It seems possible that instead, Mr. Bush could leave Beijing right after the interview to return home, to be able to better coordinate the West's response to Russia's actions.

Georgian leader Mikheil Saakashvili has warned that if the West does not take strong action to stop Russia, then Russia could continue to act military against a number of its former communist bloc countries.

If Mr. Bush left in the next hour or two, he would return to the White House around noon on Monday, in time to work several hours during the day.

However, White House spokesman Tony Fratto said in an e-mail there is "no change in the president's schedule."

National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe, who is with the president in Beijing, also wrote in an e-mail moments ago that he was "not aware of any schedule changes."

http://washingtontimes.com/weblogs/potus-notes/2008/Aug/10/bush-still-planning-watch-usa-baseball-practice/

If I'm in China at this time right now, I wouldn't want to return home either.

http://cache.boston.com/resize/bonzai-fba/*******_Photo/2008/08/09/1218298061_4892/539w.jpg

[LaoSexMachine]

If I'm in China at this time right now, I wouldn't want to return home either.



Dogs but you would do it for the country.

[Hollis]

Dogs but you would do it for the country.

I would stay there too, what is he going to do? Fly a plane to Georgia?

The key players in that conflict have all the cards, let see how they play their hand.

[KuroiRyu]

I think should return back...more hot question somewhere now and I'm pretty sure that no one Chinese now is interesting of what his mouth say. It's pretty failed man for what concern politik, we need as soon a new man at the White House.

[Andreas]

Doing some backroom talks in China with other heads of state might be even more practical then Sitting in th US having talks through the UN or diplomatic channels

[szr]

Bush Enjoys Time with U.S. Athletes
August 9, 2008, 6:25 am
By Steven Lee Myers (http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/author/steven-lee-myers/)

BEIJING — President Bush always said he wanted to attend the Olympics in Beijing to celebrate sport and Americans sportsmanship, and on Saturday, he did so with zeal.

He hit the sand with the American women’s volleyball team, dropped in on softball practice and took his own ride through the Olympic mountain biking course — all before attending his first event, the American women’s basketball game versus the Czech Republic on Saturday night.

“Mr. President, want to?” said Misty May-Treanor, half of the dominant American beach volleyball, turning her backside toward the president for the sport’s traditional method of encouragement: a slap.

Mr. Bush complied, though with a discrete flick of the back of his hand on her lower back. Dressed in a casual blue shirt and khakis, even a visor, he was even enticed to try a few volleys himself, quickly working up a sweat in the Beijing swelter (and comporting himself rather well).

The president — college cheerleader, baseball owner, sports enthusiast — is clearly enjoying his immersion in the American Olympic effort.

“I wasn’t exactly sure what to say to you, except to start with, God, I love our country and I love what we stand for,” he told the team during a greeting at the Fencing Hall, where he mugged and posed for pictures for a full hour on Friday. (His daughter, Barbara, scored a picture with Lebron James.) “And I love being with you.”

The morning after attending the opening ceremonies, Mr. Bush managed his typical weekend workout on his mountain bike, only this time at the Laoshan Mountain Bike Course. It was his second time on the course, having ridden it with the Chinese team during a visit in 2005. “Biking was really, really difficult,” he acknowledged afterwards, adding, “That’s why they call it an Olympic course.”

At a practice of the women’s softball team, Mr. Bush expressed his support for keeping the sport in the Olympics after Beijing.

“It’s good for the world to have girls playing softball,” Mr. Bush said, his back marked by a chalk handprint, a prank of the centerfielder, Laura Berg, “and these women are going to show girls how to win.”

On Sunday he is scheduled to attend men’s and women’s swimming and the men’s basketball game against China, after squeezing in a bit of work: meetings with President Hu Jintao and other Chinese leaders.

http://olympics.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/09/bush-enjoys-time-with-us-athletes/


All the world an Olympic venue for sportsman Bush
By PAUL ALEXANDER – 1 day ago

BEIJING (AP) — Most days, being the U.S. president means trying to extinguish one crisis after another.

Then there are days like Saturday.

Mountain biking on the Olympic course. Getting in a couple of hits with the women's beach volleyball team. Chuckling after being the target of a softball player's practical joke. Picking events and knowing he could get in, with a police escort ensuring traffic is no problem.

President Bush, a longtime sports fan, immersed himself into the Olympic spirit with abandon, acting like a kid — even when his body was reminding him that he's 62.

Yet there were reminders that the world's troubles follow wherever Bush goes.

He received regular updates after Russia sent columns of tanks and reportedly bombed Georgian air bases Friday. That came after Georgia launched a military offensive to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia. The fast-changing hostilities threaten to ignite a broader conflict in the region.

"I'm deeply concerned about the situation in Georgia," Bush told reporters. He said he worried about "a dangerous escalation in the crisis" because attacks have spread beyond the main conflict zone. "We have urged an immediate halt to the violence and a stand-down by all troops," he said.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Bush had spoken with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili and "reiterated the United States position to both leaders."

Violence intruded on the games themselves when a knife-wielding Chinese man attacked two relatives of a coach for the U.S. men's volleyball team at a tourist site, killing one and injuring the other. Bush said his thoughts and prayers were with the victims and their families, and that the U.S. government has offered to provide any assistance the family needed.

Bush had official business on his agenda Sunday: meetings with Chinese President Hu Jintao and other leaders of the country; attending church; speaking about religious freedom. That is a sensitive matter in China, where the government allows worship only in officially approved churches.

But mostly this was a day for athletics.

After an early wake-up call, the president headed straight to the Laoshan Olympic mountain-biking course, passing Tiananmen Square along the way. His wife, Laura, went on a tour of the Forbidden City.

Bush, a regular biker, had been itching to get back to the course that he tried out with Chinese Olympic hopefuls in 2005 during his last visit to Beijing.

In a green T-shirt and black shorts, the president biked more than an hour on the course on a warm, muggy, hazy day, accompanied by secret service agents and aides. He dabbed at his face with a towel as he left, then called the course "really, really difficult."

"That's why I'm an amateur and they're Olympians," Bush added.

After slipping into dry clothes, the president headed for the beach volleyball at Chaoyang Park, getting sandy with defending gold medalist Misty May-Treanor on the practice courts during a half-hour stop.

Bush posed for pictures with the U.S. players and staff. May-Treanor and her partner Kerri Walsh, took a break in practice so Bush could try out a few bumps himself.

The president needs some work on his passing, mis-hitting a pair off his knuckles. When May-Treanor passed the ball back to him, he acted like he was going to dive after it but decided to stay on his feet.

Then May-Treanor turned her back to the president, offering her bikinied rear for one of the traditional slaps that volleyball players frequently give each other.

"Mr. President, want to?" she asked, repeating an offer she made when Bush gave a pep talk to the U.S. athletes before Friday's opening ceremonies.

Bush smilingly gave a flick with the back of his hand to the small of her back instead.

The president then visited with men's players Phil Dalhausser, Todd Rogers, Sean Rosenthal and Jake Gibb and some of the Brazilian players before heading to watch the U.S. women's softball team practice at the Fengtai Sports Center.

Bush huddled with the team for photos, and when they broke up, there was a chalk handprint on the back of his sweat-stained blue plaid shirt.

"You've been `Bergied,' " he was told by the players, referring to the signature prank of outfielder Laura Berg.

Leaning against the chain-link fence surrounding the field, Bush watched the players warm up with calisthenics, then take batting practice.

Softball is being dropped as a medal event after Beijing, and the earliest it could be reinstated is 2016. Bush, one-time co-owner of the Texas Rangers major league baseball team, said he hopes that happens.

"It's good for the world to have girls playing softball," he said. "And these women are going to show young girls how to win."

Bush met with corporate sponsors of the U.S. Olympic team later in the day, then made his statement on Georgia before hustling to the Olympic basketball arena to catch the women's game between the U.S. and the Czech Republic.

Associated Press writers Mark S. Smith and Jimmy Golen contributed to this report.http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5iZg-HwAM2Kt14M4ZEW_FoAlckFngD92EQ1S02

http://img522.imageshack.us/img522/7392/aleqm5gg89ijxbm2yjefihaam0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

President Bush talks with Misty May Treanor, left and Kerri Walsh as he visits the practice of the U.S. beach volleyball team at the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing, China Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)
http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/1614/aleqm5hz4odpopwebjwc6irnq8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/7361/aleqm5gpqgfmnh7lokmmnzilq9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
President Bush reacts as he is pranked by being 'birded:' a chalk handprint discreetly placed on his back, as he visits the practice of the U.S. women's softball team at the 2008 Summer Olympic games in Beijing, China Saturday, Aug. 9, 2008. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

So long as there are still other world leaders in China, might as well stay and mix work with play. No need to jet just yet. Why the hell am I rhyming?

[vinny_121_ND]

Doing some backroom talks in China with other heads of state might be even more practical then Sitting in th US having talks through the UN or diplomatic channels

True. I'm actually really enjoying watching the games.

[seraosha]

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the womens volleyball clothing designers...truly, you are heros, whomever you are that convinced these athletic beauties to wear nothing...and what's there is made of spandex...God Bless you.

[Zoomie]

I think should return back...more hot question somewhere now and I'm pretty sure that no one Chinese now is interesting of what his mouth say. It's pretty failed man for what concern politik, we need as soon a new man at the White House.
What?





Is that you OMEGA7? p-)

[ren0312]

I think should return back...more hot question somewhere now and I'm pretty sure that no one Chinese now is interesting of what his mouth say. It's pretty failed man for what concern politik, we need as soon a new man at the White House.

I totally fail at Latin.

[Power_serj]

The athletes are there representing our country, and President Bush is doing the right thing by being their by their side and showing support.

[akd]

Come on, you know Condi's on this one top of this one. This is her specialty.

[BloodyTalon]

The athletes are there representing our country, and President Bush is doing the right thing by being their by their side and showing support.
x2. Plus, he's likely making plenty of behind the scenes deals and meetings with the other leaders there.

I mentioned before during the Tibet crisis that the Olympics was an inherently political event and Bush's staying there is an example of it. It is, after all, the largest gathering of international figures outside of the UN, and the attitude is much more informal and positive than any other international summit or event.

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

I would think even the intimation of an early departure by Bush could affect events in Georgia.

[Ordie]

I would think even the intimation of an early departure by Bush could affect events in Georgia.

Agreed,

Especially if you're nation possesses the most modern embassy with the security, bells and whistles.

[Lt-Col A. Tack]

Agreed,

Especially if you're nation possesses the most modern embassy with the security, bells and whistles.

I was just thinking Bush could drop a hint that he might have to leave early to get briefed on the situation, the Chinese would get anxious about a premature US departure, and put some pressure on the Russians.

Too much to hope for I guess. I can't imagine our response is very reassuring to our new NATO allies.

[Loki77]

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/olympics/images/attachement/jpg/site1/20080811/0013729e43580a0a57ed48.jpg

When Bill Gates meets Bush in China! lol

[brainplay]

Nope, this is 100% diplo stuff which is Condi's ballpark. Getting on a plane early isn't going to change anything that can't be done over the phone. Heck most of the "warnings" and other stuff has been done...from his suite at the Olympics. Granted though this is going to be used as more anti-Bush stuff later on no doubt.


In all fairness to the last posts I give you something to ponder:

http://www.omgwebsitelol.com/1337hax0r/imaaages/bush-buttttt.jpg

A little lower Mr. President. Lower... Thats just right, now flick your wrist. p-)

[Lambert58]

I have to wonder what Bill Clinton would have done....:roll: