To Obama's delight, Bono admits he sidestepped a hug from George Bush

[CatWoman]

You'd think that any rock star would relish a chance to get a public embrace from the President of the United States, even if they didn't agree on everything.

But not Bono.

On a BBC program last night, the superstar U2 singer recalled how he he stiffed President Bush out of the photo op in 2006 at the National Prayer Breakfast. The former President was on the stage with Bush when "Dubya" tried to hug Bono.

"There were all kinds of people in the audience," Bono recalled on Jonathan Ross' talk show.

Bono admitted he didn't feel like being the recipient of a hug from a man with whom he had so many political disagreements. As the affectionate President neared, Bono tried to "dodge the hug" by jumping behind a podium.

The sidestep worked, and just about nobody in the audience knew it happened — though it was all captured on camera.

But — there was one sharp-eyed Senator in the bipartisan crowd who saw it all.

"When I was sitting down I was beside Sen. Obama, the star said the future President whispered to him, 'Nice work with the hug dodge.'"

http://www.irishcentral.com/news/To-Obamas-delight-Bono-admits-he-sidestepped-a-hug-from-President-Bush-in-06-51103272.html

[Hell Hath No Fury]

1. LOVE IT!

:D

[otohara]

2. Whew

Bono would have been slammed had he got that hug from known war criminal.

[Politicub]

3. Good to hear

Would have liked for him to have said something about it at the time, but I wouldn't have expected Bono to be as brave as Natalie Maines.

[Autumn]

4. Cool.

That is priceless.

[Faygo Kid]

5. Good for Bono. But this is what he should have done, rather than avoid the hug . . .

[CatWoman]

6. LOL!!

:hi:

[stevenleser]

15. I would give my right arm to have seen that

LOL

[BlooInBloo]

19. I imagine Bono pulling a Turk, from Scrubs...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_8AAzBamwm4

[dipsydoodle]

7. Youtube video of the whole interview here :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZNQhSzbEgtw so should be in there somewhere.

Might as well watch the Noisettes at the end of the show too : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvBNFNC_vxE&feature=related She is ultra cute.

[Cha]

8. Not surprised Obama saw what

was going on:D

[City Lights]

9. Ha!

Priceless!

:rofl:

[ejpoeta]

10. i don't blame the guy. i wish more folks treated bush like a leper....

he deserves to be shunned after what he has done to this country. and his pay should be garnished to pay towards it also.

[Hamlette]

11. too funny....k&r and a shout out to Catlady. Hey! LTNS. n/t

[CatWoman]

12. hiya Doll

:hi:

[Blasphemer]

13. LOL - Great Story... nt

[stevenleser]

14. K&R

:rofl:

Another reason to love U2 and Bono, as if another is needed

[jimlup]

16. Yes but I think less of Bono because he would be on the same stage as that man

just sayin'

[karynnj]

17. That is really cool - Bono clearly prefers good Democrats!

In 2005, he surprised Kerry by praising him for the early work he did in pushing for a program to fund fighting AIDS in Africa (per a RS article I can't find online) and giving him a guitar.

http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2005/10/13/logan_radar_woes_cause_bumpy_rides/?rss_id=Boston+Globe+--+Living+/+Arts+News

[beachmom]

18. I love Bono!!!

[wroberts189]

20. HAHA!!! more ..

The sidestep worked, and just about nobody in the audience knew it happened — though it was all captured on camera.

But — there was one sharp-eyed Senator in the bipartisan crowd who saw it all.

"When I was sitting down I was beside Sen. Obama, the star said the future President whispered to him, 'Nice work with the hug dodge.'"

Bono admitted he passed on the embrace because he didn't get along with Bush, and told the former President of his strong stance against war — although he did praise him for tripling U.S. aid to developing countries.