Bush Says "We're Kicking Ass" in Austrailia On The Tarmac

[EV_Ares]

By George: now it's all the way with Howard J
September 6, 2007

We all know that the events of the next day cemented a friendship unprecedented for leaders of the US and Australia.

On the day they met, the 50th anniversary of the ANZUS treaty, Bush presented Howard with a gift - the bell from the USS Canberra. It was the only US naval ship named in honour of an ally's sunken vessel.

The HMAS Canberra was sunk in 1942 in the battle of Savo Island, near Guadalcanal.

Today the US President will visit the National Maritime Museum to view the bell. It could be construed as an act of symmetry, given if Howard loses the election, this week would be the last time he and Bush see each other in their respective roles.

This was obviously apparent to Bush, who arrived in Australia in a chipper mood.

"We're kicking ass," he told Mark Vaile on the tarmac after the Deputy Prime Minister inquired politely of the President's stopover in Iraq en route to Sydney.

Despite his unpopularity in this country, Bush used yesterday's media conference with Howard to try to bolster the Prime Minister's electoral prospects in the next poll. Labor was quite happy at the spectre of one unpopular leader backing another but should not underestimate the defiance and polished performance Bush is able to muster. On Iraq, climate change, Kyoto and nuclear power, he backed Howard to the hilt. He claimed diplomatically he did not want to interfere in the Australian election and said he looked forward to today's meeting with Kevin Rudd.

(article @ link below)

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/by-george-now-its-all-the-way-with-howard-j/2007/09/05/1188783320123.html

[opihimoimoi]

1. The GOP is taking it in the ass...not kicking ass....Bush is projecting...

[rodeodance]

2. changing leaders in a slow process!