Bush Congratulates New Spanish Leader

[CatWoman]

WASHINGTON — President Bush placed a congratulatory call Monday to Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Spain's prime minister-elect, expressing hope the two countries can cooperate on fighting terrorism. But the two men skated around Zapatero's threat to withdraw Spanish troops from Iraq.

"The president reiterated our solidarity with the Spanish people and said they're in our prayers during this difficult period," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said after the morning phone call. Train bombings in Spain Thursday killed 200 people and wounded some 1,500.

http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/politics/wire/sns-ap-us-spain,1,7432512.story?coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[NV1962]

1. A tough balance act

Zapatero can't afford to give in to impulsive coldness towards Bush; Bush can't afford to put Zapatero in the Old Europe camp, either.

Zapatero now will focus primarily on Britain, and through Germany on Poland. By the time the EU formulates its self-confident counter-terrorism doctrine, Kerry will be in the White House.

In the meantime, there's no place for unnecessarily scorching Earth.

It would be helpful if, in the meantime, the US nationalists as seen on Fox News get slapped around a bit for their ignorant hatebaiting.

[KansDem]

2. I'll wait and see if Bush pronounces his name correctly...

...before I believe his reiteration of solidarity with the Spanish people. Particularly since Zapatero represents Bush's big(gest) nightmare...

[mitchtv]

3. I'm sure he was more than cordial

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Then there were 3

[texastoast]

4. * is probably *ing in his pants

As well he should be.

A Socialist who wants to pull troops out of Iraq unless the UN takes over. Hmm. Wonder what I would be thinking if I were Shrubbie?

[Mountainman]

5. So I guess Bush supports terrorists!

If voting for Zapatero supports terrorists and Zapatero was the candidate favored by terrorists than to be on good terms with him supports terrorists.

(I'm using reverse freeper logic here)

[asjr]

6. Zapatero

is smart. Just think, a leader of a state listening to the citizens!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

7. Let's hope he doesn't bow to Shrub

I'm sure the citizens of Spain would have his head (after all the protests in the streets after the terrible incident last week, I would hope he would do the right thing and keep his promise to the people).

[NV1962]

9. He won't

He has his own agenda to keep.

He had to reconstruct the party after a crushing defeat in 2000; his approach has always been low-key, but very focused and with determination.

He's not one to seek the international limelight, which is better for the country he is supposed to govern, after all.

He's not interested in or preoccupied with Bush - as I said, he has his own agenda, and getting the UN on board is his priority right now. And if he fails, he pulls the troops out of Iraq. It's that simple.

[Tippy]

8. Heard on CNN this AM

Bush's first call went to the loser....