Interview with a president

I don't often point to a post that consists solely of a reprinted article but in this case...

After last year's interview with Irish TV's Carole Coleman with the "leader of the free world," the White House lodged a formal complaint with the Irish Embassy. Apparently the reporter believed that she was there to ask the questions she'd prepared and to address the president as she would any other person.

Don't weep for her, she's written a book. For the extended excerpt go [HERE]:

"Thanks for comin', Mr President" I said, sticking out my hand. I had borrowed this greeting directly from him. When Bush made a speech at a rally or town hall, he always began by saying "Thanks for comin'" in his man-of-the-people manner. If he detected the humour in my greeting, he didn't let on. He took my hand with a firm grip and, bringing his face right up close to mine, stared me straight in the eyes for several seconds, as though drinking in every detail of my face. He sat down and an aide attached a microphone to his jacket.

Nobody said a word. "We don't address the president unless he speaks first," a member of the film crew had told me earlier. The resulting silence seemed odd and discomforting, so I broke it. "How has your day been, Mr President?" Without looking up at me, he continued to straighten his tie and replied in a strong Texan drawl, "Very busy."