Is there too much kissing going on at the White House?

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

I imagine if Clinton did this the press wouldn't dismiss it as a "southern thing".

President Bush has bussed two women in public in the past two days. First, Condoleezza Rice, whom he kissed on the cheek twice when he nominated her for secretary of State on Tuesday. He went even further with Margaret Spellings, whom he smacked on the lips when he nominated her as secretary of Education on Wednesday.


Eyebrows, as they say, shot up and waggled. It was such a ... European gesture for the aw-shucks-I'm-jes'-a-Texan president. Besides, in these fearful times - you know, terrorism, sexual harassment lawsuits - isn't this sort of thing a no-no in a business setting?


"I see nothing wrong with giving someone a peck on the cheek if he has a close relationship with her, but in business, in general, kissing on the lips would not be appropriate," says Jacqueline Whitmore, head of the Protocol School of Palm Beach, who instructs executives on the do's and don'ts of business etiquette. Her rule: When in doubt, don't.


In fact, Bush does have long and close relationships with both women: Rice, who has been his foreign policy adviser since he ran for president, has become practically a member of the first family. And he described Spellings, who worked for him in Austin, as an "incredible, special" person. Moreover, it could be argued that it was Spellings who initiated the kiss, after giving him a pat on the back. Plus, all this kissing and hugging is supposed to be a "Southern" thing; Bush, who considers himself a Texas Southerner, hugs people a lot, say White House reporters.

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20041118/en_usatoday/readtheselipsbushgetsquitecontinental

[PartyPooper]

1. Something tells me these women remind Junior of his own mother.

:eyes:

[Dinger]

20. Eeewww, Why Do I Get That "Norman Bates" Kind Of Feeling?

[NMDemDist2]

2. i saw that video and it struck me as extremely inappropriate in a

business/formal setting

Extremely inappropriate

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. When is Bush NOT inappropriate?

The fact that his sorry ass occupies a chair in the Oval Office is inappropriate. Anyhow, he probably slips Condor Lizard the tongue when the cameras are off.
:puke:

[elsiesummers]

31. Before the press/articles I saw it on news. Oh.My.God!!! I said, to my hus

I said, to my husband. "Oh my God!!! did he just kiss her on the lips!!!"

He was like, no, she turned her cheek.

He didn't think it was a big deal. But I thought it was huge.

I'm all - "No, I don't think so!!! He kissed her on the lips."

"Oh My God!!!"

I'm not suprised there are articles - because my initial reaction to the press conference with Spelling was surprise/shock.

He does do a similar kiss with his mom.

Spelling also did get really emotional; was crying during her acceptance.

A kiss on the lips can seem really innappropriate even in appropriate situations, IMO. (I remember an incident where a close male friend gave me a chaste kiss on the lips and shocked me, even though it was a bar room setting, and I blew it off, even though I was shocked.)

Kisses on the cheek are entirely different, and seem appropriate, given the Latino influence in Texas.

It struck me as odd, at the time. I think some men are just innappropriate - and in an odd way I don't hold it against shrub - the innappropriateness was typically male (sorry guys, but women have different ways of being innappropriate - crying at the wrong time, or talking about fluff in business situations.)

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

3. Awww... a lovable, cuddly dictator. Just what we need.

OK, now, dog pics...must have more fluffy dog pics.

[Gregorian]

6. A kiss from Bush is a kiss of death

Your picture, sir.

[MichiganVote]

4. Hell of a lot of ass kissing

[MnFats]

7. He's trying to make up for the ob/gyns who can't practice their love...

on the women of america....

[burrowowl]

8. Is there ....

YES! A$$-kissing!

[madison2000]

9. its just plain ICKY

I don't mind seeing this in some social situations. But when its in government, and when we are already so aware that Bush is handpicking people who will NEVER challenge or disagree with him, its just reminds me of how inept and clueless this administration will be.

The women in smirkingchimp's world are all STEPFORD wives or secretaries :scared:

[truthisfreedom]

10. get away, you freak.

eww.

[The Backlash Cometh]

11. I'm sorry, but the Bush family is really weird.

They show pictures of George Bush the first in the bathtub with the kids nekkid, and Jeb Bush prancing around nekkid. Now the kissing on the lips thing.

My father was a diehard Liberal and the level of modesty in my house was so high that you'd think we were in training for the convent.

[NYC]

12. What is this picture?

I think I found it on Google. (I enlarged it.)

[Erika]

13. Yeah some would dream of a black lady (and I use that term loosely)

being appointed at high levels while she is shown in total adoration of the white southern politician.

[Erika]

14. Yeah some would dream of a black lady (and I use that term loosely)

being appointed at high levels while she is shown in total adoration of the white southern politician.

[Erika]

15. Yeah some would dream of a black lady (and I use that term loosely)

being appointed at high levels while she is shown in total adoration of the white southern politician.

[Erika]

16. Sorry for the triple post

Thanks.

[legally blonde]

17. This whole kissing thing

is extremely gross and embarrassing for our country (adding insult to injury). As a woman, I am appalled. This behavior is completely degrading. Why doesn't * just smack Condi's butt for good measure?

[MsConduct]

18. Let's face it, there's NOTHING appropriate about dubya. n/t

[johnaries]

19. As a Southerner, I can tell you it is ENTIRELY inappropriate...

Actually, one of the things that I have railed against as someone born in the South is the odd propensity for "portraying the proper position" in public, rather than showing your true emotions. In Proper Southern Society a public hug is acceptable, a public "peck" on the cheek is only acceptable for family members on special family-oriented occasions. For more info, just read Emily Post. Her books are the Second Bible in the South.

Kissing the new Secretary of Education on the lips - SCANDALOUS!!!!

The only thing worse would be for him to kiss Gonzales on the lips. Don't believe for a minute that it's a "Southern Thing" - "It ain't no sich thang!"

[peekaloo]

21. down home mafia type thang.

[lutefisk]

22. Margaret is just a proxy for Robert, who Junior owed a big kiss

The bottom line is that Margaret is, through her husband, tied in with the whole TANG scandal:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/2902848

"In 2001, Spellings married Robert Spellings, an attorney and lobbyist who has offices in Washington and Austin."

http://www.gardere.com/Attorneys/Attorney_Bio/?id=1212

-Chief of Staff under Texas Lieutenant Governor Ben Barnes (1969-1973)
-Chief of Staff of the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives (1966-1968)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/campaigns/wh2000/stories/bush072899.htm

"An anonymous letter addressed to a U.S. attorney in Texas, produced in a discovery proceeding for an ongoing lawsuit, charged that Barnes assisted Bush in getting into the Guard. The suit was brought by the former director of the Texas Lottery Commission, who believes Barnes, now a lobbyist, may have played a role in his dismissal.

In a deposition for the suit, Kralj confirmed that he would get calls from Barnes or his chief of staff, Robert Spelling , "saying so-and-so is interested in getting in the Guard." Kralj said he would then forward the names to Gen. Rose.

More:
http://www.mail-archive.com/[e-mail]/msg23170.html

[Rose Siding]

23. There's a relevant source: "...say White House reporters"

Look at the puppies protect their W.

Affection is one thing but the double standard here is striking. This writer recognized that and still used conclusions drawn by "White House reporters"

[MO_Dem]

24. So, that explains why

those WH correspondents are always telling us so many unbelieveable things, such as how likeable GeeDub is, and never say anything negative about him. They must just be overwhelmed with all the hugging and kissing he does on them.

[Roland99]

25. See the pictures in this thread...

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1373648

[jackster]

26. jackster

I think condi's got the hots for georgie - after that my hus-I mean the president deal I started watching them when they were together...

is it my imagination or does she go all school girl when he's around? i mean you can practically SEE the stars in her eyes...

[gauguin57]

27. What do you expect of a hillbilly who pats his wife on the butt in public,

right before he introduces her to give a speech at some event. He drives me NUTS!

[Lisa]

28. since when does a "pat on the back" initiate a kiss?

Whole different level of intimacy! I've seen plenty of footage of Bush patting people on the back or shoulder, and does he get smooched back? (Admittedly I'm talking about the guys here ...) A return pat, or a hug, sure -- but what's with the kissy-face? Sounds more Hollywood than Southern/Western to me.

Even if they are friends in private, it's still a bit unprofessional to remind people of this closeness at a formal function. And isn't Bush "Mr. Manners", always going on about requiring proper business attire in the White House (not like those slack Clinton/Gore staffers in chinos or jeans)?

[pinniped]

29. Well, at the counclusion of Godfather I every loyal member of...

the Corleone family kissed the new "Don" on the hand. I suspect that's where the asshole got the idea from.

This character in the wh is a certified whacko.

Did he get his medical checkup yet?

[jamesinca]

30. Condi, Marge, Laura and George in a 4 way

Yep that is why Laura just smiles like the good drunk driving southern belle that she is. Condi brings the kilo of pot and George brings the Valium, compliments of the pharm industry. Laura is ok with it because Marge will go down on her unlike George. He says that it is un-Christian for a man to lick a woman. They had to get rid of Colin, he was hung like a horse and to much competition for George. Chenney and Rumsfeld are so old even Viagra won't help.

Outside of that scenario I can not explain their behavior or anyway to feel it is appropriate. I find the whole lot of them disgusting.

[Carson]

32. If Condi would just give

Shrub a blowjob, flash her thong and have a penchant for cigars, that would be more acceptable than receiving a peck on the cheek. ;-)

Seriously, who cares? There are much more important issues to use to tear down/fight this administration.

eom

[struggle4progress]

33. This is exactly why I didn't apply for a job in the White House.

Blecch! :D

[thebeaglehaslanded]

34. Don't you think he's given Condi much more than a peck on the check?

[question everything]

35. Didn't they have a picture of Laura Bush being dismayed when Chirac

kissed her hand?

[Dem2theMax]

36. Yes. WAY too much ass kissing and it's all on ONE BIG ASS.

I don't need to spell his name out, do I? :evilgrin:

[American Tragedy]

37. In the South we do tend to be more demonstrative than elsewhere in America

In my family, when we see relatives and friends we very often embrace and kiss one anothers' cheeks (with the exception of course that men greet other men rather differently), and just in general seem to be less reserved and defensive of our personal space.

However, to kiss an employee on the mouth in a professional setting is something else altogether. When we saw the film of Spellings' promotion, there were definitely some eyebrows raised.

[ckramer]

38. mind you,

it's a new form of holy anointment.

[Massachusetts]

39. At least theres no tongue.....

:hippie:

[machiado]

40. I think it was scripted,

not impulsive or spontaneous. * doesn't do ANYTHING in public that is not scripted. I believe the kissing of these women was meant to portray * as a "paternalistic, strict father" image, which the republicans have been cultivating as their frame for decades now (Read George Lakoff for additional information on frames).