The Deciderers

ST. PETERSBURG, July 17 -- President Bush should know that in Russia, someone is always listening. In this case, it was the rest of the world.

During a lunch with other leaders at the Group of Eight summit on Monday, Bush was caught on a live microphone talking in tough terms with British Prime Minister Tony Blair about the latest conflict in the Middle East and the position taken by U.N. Secretary General Kofi Annan.

"What they need to do is get Syria to get Hezbollah to stop doing this [expletive] and it's over," Bush said with his mouth full as he buttered a piece of bread.

"Who, Syria?" asked Blair, standing next to the seated Bush.

"Right," Bush said.

The conversation, while consistent with Bush's politer public remarks, offered a rare glimpse of the president in a less-guarded moment at a major diplomatic event, capturing his style of interaction with one of his closest allies.

...

In this case, the open microphone also captured the sort of idle chitchat among world leaders rarely on public display. Bush said he did not plan to make extended remarks as the summit ended and expressed impatience for the long-winded speechifying that is typical at such gatherings.

"No, just going to make it up," he said. "I'm not going to talk too damn long, like the rest of them. Some of them talk too long."

He also seemed eager to leave: "Gotta go home. Got something to do tonight. How about you? Where are you going? Home?"

Bush also offered his thanks to Blair for what was probably a gift for the president's 60th birthday.

"Thanks for the sweater, it was awfully thoughtful of you," Bush said. Then he added mischievously, "I know you picked it out yourself."

"Oh, absolutely," Blair declared.


Yep, that's our leader. Just making *expletive* up as he goes along. In between bites of bread and butter.

-Desi