Back from Europe, Gov Jeb Bush jaws with reporters

[seafan]

A protester holds an anti-Bush banner at a demonstration outside the Conrad Hotel, Dublin Friday July 21, 2006, where Florida Governor Jeb Bush, the brother of U.S. President George W. Bush, addressed the American Chamber of Commerce. (AP Photo/Julien Behal, PA)


Back from Europe, Gov Jeb Bush jaws with reporters

By Dara Kam
July 25, 2006

TALLAHASSEE — Asked whether it was a good idea for Florida to be preparing to take in American refugees from Lebanon just as the state is entering high hurricane season, Gov. Jeb Bush didn't hesitate.
"You know, we can chew gum, tie our shoes, ride a bike, read a book at the same time. It's possible, when you're well-organized, to multi-task," he said Monday.
Back in the U.S. after a weeklong trade mission in Europe, Bush was in top form as he fielded questions on a variety of recent events, including his brother's salty language in Russia, and delivered a few zingers of his own.

The governor, who returned Sunday night, spoke forcefully about the Hezbollah-Israel conflict and defended the president's veto of the embryonic stem-cell research bill after promoting Florida's tax-free holiday by buying school supplies at a Target for a middle-school student he mentors.
Responding to criticism that Israel has gone too far in its retaliation, Bush said, "Let's assume that Broward or Dade was a country and Palm Beach lobbed a missile into Deerfield Beach or Hillsboro Beach.
///snip
Asked if he were equating Palm Beach County with Hezbollah, he answered before the reporter could finish: "No, I did not. Don't even start."

On his brother being caught on tape using a four-letter word in a private conversation with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at an international summit in Russia, he said, "I wondered what my mother thought when they flew back."
He also joked: "Unvarnished talk is refreshing, probably, at the G8 summit."

snip

Gov. Bush said he was reminded of a gaffe of his own during a 2000 sit-in in his offices staged by two black lawmakers in response to him effectively ending affirmative action. He was captured on videotape telling an aide to "kick their asses out," though he later said he was referring to reporters, who refused to leave.

snip

Throughout his shopping spree at Target, shoppers stared at Bush, his entourage and the accompanying pack of reporters.
Bush spent $71.38 on supplies for the middle-school student he mentors.

January, 2007, please hurry.

[Turbineguy]

1. And he's the smart one!

[alvarezadams]

2. He's real popular over here

in Spain... When speaking to the press (promising "wonderful things" if Spain helped out in Iraq, which Spain did... and nothing wonderful resulted) he was "very happy to be visiting 'the Republic of Spain'".

The king was not amused.

[tanyev]

3. Show us, Jeb.

We want to see you chew gum, tie your shoes, ride a bike, and read a book at the same time. Please have some media there to document it.

[bumblebee1]

4. While you're at it, Jeb

watch tv and eat pretzels.