The White House anticipated a large media crowd for President George Bush's last press conference. Except when it was about to start the last two rows of seven rows of seats were empty. Dana Milbank reports that White House interns were quickly rounded up to fill the seats, so George Bush got his fluffers after all...
It's sad, really, to be one of the most powerful men in the world, at least in theory, and to have nobody really care that you are leaving office. He will leave with his head held high and then sink into relative obscurity. Even Richard Nixon had a resurgence of influence just before he died, but I don't think anyone will be coming to George Bush for advice any time soon.
The worst bit of pettiness was shown towards President-elect Obama and his family, when he asked to stay early at the Presidential guest house, which comprises of three huge townhouses combined into one complex. He was told that no, it was booked when it really wasn't, and then the White House quickly found someone to stay there, the ex-Prime Minister of Australia and his wife. Of course they all could have stayed together, and, as one Australian journalist remarked, since they are grandparents themselves, they could have made toast and helped the Obama daughters get ready for school...
It was interesting watching Hillary Clinton answer questions at her confirmation hearing this morning. There's no doubt that she will be confirmed, and that many of the Republicans liked who she has asked to be on her staff. Her daughter, Chelsea, sat behind her, and it looks like she has expressed an interest in following in her parent's footsteps.
A strong emphasis was placed on women's rights throughout the world, and kudos was given to First Lady Laura Bush for her help supporting women in Afghanistan and Myanmar. Here's hoping that Michelle Obama will pick up and carry the torch through the next four years.
As questions were being asked I couldn't help but be impressed by how India has handled the aftershocks from the Mumbai terrorist attacks. India and Pakistan have fought each other three times, and it could easily have happened again. After it was established there were ties to Pakistan in training and resources they would have been justified in going over the border to search for the rest of the terrorists. Compare their diplomatic response with Israel's over Gaza, or even the US's going into Iraq, and tell me which is the more civilized country?
The other thing that stood out is just how insane Vladimer Putin really is, with his dreams of world domination in classic dictatorial fashion. His playing games by shutting off gas to the Ukraine over future gas prices ended up sending a threatening message to all of Europe, including Great Britain. Gasoline, natural gas, fishing and water rights will be bargaining chips in future international hostilities. Yep, we certainly have our work cut out for us, I certainly hope that Ms Clinton will be up to the challenge.
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