Bush: An Appreciation for a Simple MF

Roll Call's Pershing reports that Bush "can usually sum up his feelings toward Members of Congress in just one word": he "appreciates" them. At a 1/05 GOP retreat in WV, Bush said: "Appreciate Sen. Ted Stevens [AK] -- thank you for your tenure and your leadership, as well. I'm glad you're here. I thank my friend from the great state of Texas, Tom DeLay, for his leadership. I appreciate you, Mr. Leader. Mitch McConnell [KY], the Senate Majority Whip -- Sen. McConnell, thank you, sir, appreciate you. Congressman [Roy] Blunt [MO], the House Whip. Thank you, Congressman, glad you're here, appreciate you." At an '02 Stevens event, Bush said: "I appreciate a lot about him. I appreciate he's a straightforward fellow. ... I appreciate Ted's love of his children. ... I appreciate his understanding that the strategic threats to the United States are changing. ... The thing I appreciate about Ted Stevens is, he understands that we're in for a long struggle, that -- you know, that we don't have a calendar." Stevens spokesperson Courtney Boone said Stevens "is touched that the president appreciates him so much." Bush "is also frequently appreciative" of Hastert. He said at an '03 dinner: "I appreciate so very much the Speaker of the House, Denny Hastert." In 11/02, Bush "expressed his gratitude" to then-Senate Maj. Leader Trent Lott. He said in a conference call with GOP leaders: "Well, I appreciate that, Trent." Bush "again singled Lott out for appreciation" at a 1/04 event, and "even" added: "I appreciate the Justices of the Supreme Court being here." Bush "will occasionally express his appreciation for lawmakers in multiple languages." At a 9/04 event celebrating Hispanic heritage month, Bush said: "I also appreciate Congressmen Weller, Diaz-Balart de Florida, y tambien Steve Pearce from New Mexico." Or Bush "will go Spanish-only, as when he thanked the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for demonstrating the attainability of the American dream": "y aprecio su amor por esta gran nacion" (3/2).  The Hotline March 2, 2005 Wednesday