CHULA VISTA, CA–Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush extended a hand of friendship to the nation's Hispanic community Monday, leaving a larger-than-customary tip for waiter Ramon Gonzalez after eating at La Galleria, a trendy Chula Vista bistro.
Bush–who was lunching with aide de camp Warren Hewitt and campaign contributor Kenneth Boehm, CEO of telecommunications giant Pacific Bell–left a $20 gratuity on a bill of $83.42. Working out to approximately 24 percent, it is the largest tip the Hispanic community has ever received from a Republican presidential candidate.
Gonzalez, accepting Bush's generous overture on behalf of his people, thanked the candidate politely as he left the restaurant and invited him to visit again. Gonzalez said he intends to share the gift with other members of the Hispanic community, employing the standard food-service-industry split among waiter, busboy, and dishwasher.
"This generous tip is my way of saying thank you to the Latino community for its distinguished service during the course of this lunch," Bush said. "It is my way of acknowledging the many valuable things America's Hispanics bring to the table–from appetizers to drinks to main courses–which are vital to the smooth progress of our nation's meals."
Republican insiders are praising the gesture, noting that Bush has sent "a message of appreciation to a too-often-overlooked ethnic group."
"By leaving a twenty on the table for this Mexican boy, Bush is telling Hispanics, 'I understand how hard your people have worked over the years to keep our water glasses full,'" GOP strategist Allen White said. "At the same time, by making this offering in tip form, he reinforces his campaign slogan of 'Prosperity With Purpose.' In other words, he sends the strong message that continued good service on the part of Hispanics will be recognized and rewarded."
Despite such praise, Bush's rivals for the Republican presidential nomination were quick to denounce the unusually large gratuity.
"I have always favored an across-the-board flat tip of 15 percent, regardless of the waiter's race," Steve Forbes said. "Gov. Bush's tip of 24 percent is not only fiscally irresponsible; it smacks of political grandstanding."
EDIT
http://www.theonion.com/article/bush-reaches-out-to-hispanic-community-with-genero-434
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