Bush attempts to give German Chancellor a rubdown.

Photos of President Bush groping German Chancellor Angela Merkel. It’s like the man has no concept of how regular people behave, or what’s considered polite or reasonable.

Published by Waldo Jaquith

Waldo Jaquith (JAKE-with) is an open government technologist who lives near Char­lottes­­ville, VA, USA. more »

19 replies on “Bush attempts to give German Chancellor a rubdown.”

  1. Quiz thyself.

    Which one didn’t Bush say? (I got it right, but then again, I watched both the Daily Show and Colbert Report coverage of Bush’s sparkling vocabulary. They live for this kind of shit. Wordage chosen intentionally. :) )

  2. I don’t really see anything wrong. It’s hardly groping- looked more like a ticklish shoulder massage. And honestly it looked to me like friends goofing off. Granted I wouldn’t do something like that in the work place for obvious reasons.

    I think what we’ve been seeing lately is that world leaders are people too, and since it’s a much smaller club, behind the scenes and the agendas they’re probably a lot more informal and friendlier than people would think.

    And keep in mind I’m not really a big fan of Bush’s politics or policies at all.

  3. Geez, why do people pay attention to stuff like this? Groped? All of the sudden, putting one’s hands on someone else’s shoulders is worthy of being called a sex crime? Please Waldo, you are smarter than this.

    Certainly, Merkel looks a little shocked, as if she was not expecting it, but I have known a lot of people who do similar things to people they consider friends. And let’s face it, Merkel is hardly Chirac or Schroeder; she falls in the right wing in Germany. When President Bush does something you disagree with politically or really does grope someone (think Bill Clinton), then post about it. At least we will then feel like we got something out of those seconds otherwise taken from our lives.

  4. A “grope” is an unwelcome touch that is sexual in nature. And if you don’t think a massage between a man and a woman is sexual, either you haven’t seen Pulp Fiction or you have got to work on your massage technique. What President Bush did is totally inappropriate, and speaks very poorly of his attitude towards female leaders.

    If you don’t believe me, try walking up to a police officer and giving her a quick shoulder rub. Good luck explaining that it wasn’t a grope, just a friendly rub.

  5. Well, if that is the way a grope is defined, has Merkel called this a “grope” yet? Until then, the only story from this is the fake outrage that I have seen.

  6. I would also like to point out one key difference. President Bush is familar with, if not friendly with, Prime Minister Merkel. Similiarly, if I went up to a police officer that I was friends with and did the same, I could not expect a negative reaction. Your point might be valid if I was not familiar with the officer, but then there is no parallel to draw from.

  7. I think a real outrage should be the fact that the U.S. is “charging” American citizens to be evacuated from Lebanon.

    And the pace at which the U.S. has put together (and started to execute) their evacuation plans is strangely reminiscent of Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Especially when compared to the efforts of other countries with regards to their nationals.

  8. I would also like to point out one key difference. President Bush is familar with, if not friendly with, Prime Minister Merkel. Similiarly, if I went up to a police officer that I was friends with and did the same, I could not expect a negative reaction.

    Look at the expression on her face and tell me that’s not a negative reaction. The woman is pissed.

  9. Look at the expression on her face and tell me that’s not a negative reaction.

    I didn’t get that from watching the video. Sure she looked surprised, but there’s a second at the end as he’s walking away where she turns to look at Bush and it seems to me as though she might be smiling.

  10. TrvInMn’s response is classic cluelessness about basic professional etiquette, and in particular about proprieties between men and women in a professional setting.

    Here’s the deal, Trv: Men do not touch women they are not married to — much less if they are heads of state at a professional gathering — in public (or in private, but especially in public) in any way except with the woman’s full knowledge and invitation. Handshakes, definitely. Hugs, possibly; these are professional politicians. Coming up from behind to give a neck rub: no way.

    George and Barbara Bush stand exposed as having raised W with a massive sense of entitlement and without any manners to speak of.

  11. TrvInMn’s response is classic cluelessness about basic professional etiquette, and in particular about proprieties between men and women in a professional setting.

    You should read my first post on this subject before you get all bent out of shape about my third post.

    Honestly it looked to me like friends goofing off. Granted I wouldn’t do something like that in the work place for obvious reasons.

    I think what we’ve been seeing lately is that world leaders are people too, and since it’s a much smaller club, behind the scenes and the agendas they’re probably a lot more informal and friendlier than people would think.

  12. The “quiz” was easy: just pick the one statement you would expect a dignified politician might make at the G8 meeting – the rest must be what Bush actually said at the meeting. Sheesh.

    I second Nell’s sentiments. Even if Bush and Merkel are secret lovers, you do NOT do that to anyone,especially not to a woman, in a public setting where a professional demeanor must be maintained. Period.

  13. Quoting my first post again.

    Granted I wouldn’t do something like that in the work place for obvious reasons.

    I don’t know what their degree of friendship, nor does any other poster here. So I’m not prepared to call it inappropriate based simply on a clip that’s too short, and ends before you can tell if it’s laughter or a scowl. I can certianly understand not liking the President and his policies, I’m no fan myself. But I think there are much more serious reasons not to like him than something like this.

  14. TrvlnMn, there is no need to get defensive. Of course there are many more serious reasons to dislike him. That is not the point. The point is that he has shown himself once again to be an utter embarrassment to all Americans.

    I saw a great bumper sticker the other day. It said, January 20, 2009, the end of an error. I laughed so hard I had to pull up next to the car at the next stoplight and ask the folks where they got the bumper sticker.

  15. I just wanted to say that all the huffing, puffing and finger-wagging from the left about this clip is really entertaining.

  16. January 20, 2009, the end of an error.

    Somebody needs to track that thing down and make it available for purchase. I’m not a bumper sticker fan, but I’d put that one on my car.

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