Did You Hear The President Admonish that AP Reporter? It was Great!

me and news conference | April 5, 2004 | nuconvert

[nuconvert]

FOX showed a clip of a news conference this morning. The President spoke about meeting with family of a fallen soldier, and as usual was emotional about it. When he finished, he said he'd answer a few questions, and then asked who the AP reporter was....the reporter identified himself and began to ask his question by saying, "Sir.......". The President quickly said, "Who are you talking to?" And the reporter immediately said, "Mr. President,....." It was Great! All the reporters afterward made sure they addressed him as Mr. President. LOL!

[tdadams]

This sounds a bit uncharacteristic of GWB. He doesn't tend to demand adulation.

[Sabatier]

You're right, he isn't a king and I get your point. But it's like being a teacher in a classroom - you have to keep reminding them who's the boss because everyone is watching. Slip up and you slip under.

[arbee4bush]

Actually, I think this President hold his office with the highest regards and dignity. And he expects no less than that from others. Especially the reporters who slash and gash him every chance they can..and then think they are President Bush's good ol' buddies when it's time for a statement. Uh-nuh, no go!

I loved it

[A Simple Soldier]

That email is a fraud/urban legend and has been around for months already. Reply All to whomever sent it and tell them.

It is funny though.

[OneTimeLurker]

I was holding my breath for one of the reporters to ask about Abazid asking for contingency plans within 48 hrs. to increase the troop levels. I am glad the President didn't have to answer that one on the fly in case he hadn't heard yet, for some reason.

[PISANO]

The simple fact that it was an AP reporter made George Bush's admonition WELCOME. I was very tired of the AP's use of YOUR MAJESTY during Boy Clinton's reign!

[nuconvert]

Exactly.

[Quilla]

Thank you. I had a feeling it was too good to be true!

[firebrand]

Being that this is W, I suspect that he is more concerned with respect for the office of president than he is with respect for himself.

[vpintheak]

That is awesome. I am also sick of people refering to the President simply as Bush. He has brought dignitiy back to the White House after 8 years of depravity.

[Sloth]

I see nothing wrong with calling the President 'Sir'.

[NEPA]

What's wrong with using "Sir" instead of Mr. President.

I agree with you. I didn't see it but it sounds like Dubya got "snippy about it". There's no reason for that.

[nuconvert]

It's not adulation. It's respect. And the fact that the reporter didn't even have to think about it, made it obvious that he knew he was wrong.

[McGavin999]

I think our president is still a little upset with AP and the media in general because it's pretty obvious they were in on the plan to kill our people and desicrate their bodies.

[Stone Mountain]

I don't get it. The president had a problem with being addressed by "sir?" Is "sir" now a term of disrespect?

[Yaelle]

If only someone would tell Kennedy that he is "all wet" and will stay "all wet" forever! He may not have been wet after his infamous "swim" but he will have to explain it all to his Maker, and I don't think a neck brace will fool Him.

[Inspectorette]

Saw him climbing the steps to Air Force One this morning. His shoulders seemed to be sagging a little, and he didn't have his usually bouncy step. When he turned at the top of the steps and waved, he looked uncharacteristically grim.

This past week, along with the current dangerous operations in Iraq, are weighing heavily on him. We need to pray harder for this good man.

[ATCNavyRetiree]

"First, with all due respect Senator Kennedy, you're all wet,"

Still wet from Chappaquidick....

[OXENinFLA]

http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2004/04/20040405-4.html

Let me ask you a couple of questions. Who is the AP person?

Q I am.

THE PRESIDENT: You are?

Q Sir, in regard to --

THE PRESIDENT: Who are you talking to?

Q Mr. President, in regard to the June 30th deadline, is there a chance that that would be moved back?

THE PRESIDENT: No, the intention is to make sure the deadline remains the same. I believe we can transfer authority by June 30th. We're working toward that day. We're, obviously, constantly in touch with Jerry Bremer on the transfer of sovereignty. The United Nations is over there now. The United Nations representative is there now to work on the -- on a -- on to whom we transfer sovereignty. I mean, in other words, it's one thing to decide to transfer. We're now in the process of deciding what the entity will look like to whom we will transfer sovereignty. But, no, the date remains firm.

[nuconvert]

I think it's acceptable to call the president Sir, AFTER you've intially addressed him respectfully as President.
And yes, he was a bit testy, because he'd just finished speaking with the soldier's family.