White House: Bow? What bow?
posted at 4:40 pm on April 8, 2009 by Ed Morrissey
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I really wasn’t going to write about this again, mostly because I was convinced that the national media had let Barack Obama off the hook completely for his tradition- and protocol-breaking bow to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. However, Ben Smith reports that the White House has now been asked about it, thanks to a Washington Times editorial scolding Obama for the move — and that they’re denying it ever happened:
The White House is denying that the president bowed to King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia at a G-20 meeting in London, a scene that drew criticism on the right and praise from some Arab outlets.
“It wasn’t a bow. He grasped his hand with two hands, and he’s taller than King Abdullah,” said an Obama aide, who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
The Washington Times called it the alleged bow a “shocking display of fealty to a foreign potentate,” and said it violated centuries of American tradition of not deferring to royalty. The Weekly Standard, meanwhile, noted, that American protocol apparently rules out bowing, or at least it reportedly did on the occasion of a Clinton “near bow” to the Emperor of Japan.
Interestingly, a columnist in the Saudi-backed Arabic paper Asharq Alawsat also took the gesture as a bow, and appreciated the move.
No bow? You tell me. Obama’s a lot taller than Queen Elizabeth, too, so compare the two greetings for yourself:
Note also that this shows clearly that Obama did not “grasp [Abdullah's] hand with both hands”; Obama’s left hand is in plain view, on his left leg, as he executes the deep-waisted bow.
Will the media finally report this, as Ben Smith did, now that the White House is trying to deny the obvious and rewrite history? Or will they continue to sit silently while Obama tinkles on their heads and calls it rain? (also thanks to HA reader Geoff A)
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I like the mainstream denial defence “It wasn’t a Bow , but Bush did it too!”.
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Wow! Cavuto is GOING NUCLEAR on Leslie Smuggydumbarse on the Tea Party protests!
John the Libertarian on April 8, 2009 at 4:43 PM
To bow or not to bow…. The Saudi’s know the question!
upinak on April 8, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Not only is it a bow, it is an ENTHUSIASTIC bow!
ctmom on April 8, 2009 at 4:45 PM
PAY NO ATTENTION TO THAT MAN BEHIND THE CURTAIN!!! Mmmwwoohaaahaahaahaaha!
Just admit it was a mistake of protocol and move on. Oops, that’s right – the only ‘mistakes’ that get made were made during the past 8 years, right Bambi?
jrlingreenbay on April 8, 2009 at 4:45 PM
…..And in other news, Monica Lewinsky called and offered her ‘presidential kneepads’ to Obama.
HornetSting on April 8, 2009 at 4:45 PM
The lefties are into that kind of thing.
Guardian on April 8, 2009 at 4:45 PM
When I wrote that “Obama blows” I didn’t mean it literally.
Maybe I should reconsider that notion.
NoDonkey on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
So now the trolls can’t say that Obama’s being respectful, right?
What’s the next argument?
lorien1973 on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
This isn’t the bow you’re looking for…
You’re looking for Bush bowing…
Sir Corky on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
“I did not bow to that islamic potentate, king Abdullah”
“I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky.”
Plus ca change….
Vashta.Nerada on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
The irony is that the Saudi press are reporting it as a bow too.
Skywise on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
The Left must be positively dizzy from all that spinning.
Y-not on April 8, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Will the media finally report this, as Ben Smith did, now that the White House is trying to deny the obvious and rewrite history? Or will they continue to sit silently while Obama tinkles on their heads and calls it rain?
Keemo on April 8, 2009 at 4:47 PM
It depends on the definition of when a “bow” is a “bow”…
Odie1941 on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Yes! Another contender for “Quote of the Day”.
capitulus on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
“Tinkles.” Lol.
peski on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Face down, ass up. Our foreign policy for the next four years…
Roc on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Why would he need to remain anonymous to spout this spin?
Disturb the Universe on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
I was watching that too and had to turn it off – she is so out of her league.
To unwind, I check out HA and once again feel my blood boil as I watch Obama bow and read that the White House denies it.
Lately, there’s no where to run….
CarolynM on April 8, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Ahmedinejad could use them as centrifuges.
Mr. D on April 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Somebody tell the White House that there’s these things called “cameras”. These devices take magical pictures of nearby events. Some of these devices even record MOTION, over a period of time, so a viewer can see exactly what happens. Maybe point out one of the many cameras that normally surround Obama.
Don’t tell them about YouTube, though. I’ve got to have SOME form of entertainment ;-)
hawksruleva on April 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
The MSM form of baptism.
BigD on April 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
so did Bush bow or not? to this same guy?
Equality 7-2521 on April 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Didn’t happen. Obama said it didn’t. The MSM didn’t report it. So it didn’t happen.
GarandFan on April 8, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Bush held his hand and rollicked through the flowers with him. But at least they didn’t deny it.
lorien1973 on April 8, 2009 at 4:50 PM
I should add that on the list of offensive things Obama’s done, I personally don’t rank this thing all that high, but I do find it interesting how desperate the Opologists are to explain it all away.
It’s also really weird to me that LGF has decided to make a big point of disputing this whole bow thing. I don’t understand why Johnson cares so much, except perhaps as an effort to distance himself from people he thinks have ODS. It’s a shame, imho, as I really think he’s wrong on this one.
Y-not on April 8, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Nah, they’re far too imbalanced to use as centrifuges. Pretty dangerous, really.
Y-not on April 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM
All he was doing was lighting a joint and he had to bend over to shield his match so it didn’t go out.
rplat on April 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Replaying seconds 4-6 of this video over and over again with some porn music in the background would be just awesome.
lorien1973 on April 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM
how the heck is that not a bow. They seriously are idiots!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
deidre on April 8, 2009 at 4:51 PM
Don’t you try to lecture the most technologically advanced administration EVAH about technology.
Maybe they thought the European cameras wouldn’t work on American TVs. Like DVDs…
Sir Corky on April 8, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Bravo . . . a classic indeed.
rplat on April 8, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Now that Bush is gone and the WOT is in the background, you’ll see what I’ve been saying forever…that CJ isn’t a conservative at all. He’s a conveniently sane (at times) on some issues. But he’s still a big government guy.
lorien1973 on April 8, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Obama was taller. He ain’t now!
Red Bennet on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I think we all learned that Obama likes to polish.
Firebird on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Thanks.
Really, though, we don’t expect Obama to be perfect. When was the last time he said “I made a mistake?” Arrogance and lying bothers me a lot more than breaking protocol.
kc8ukw on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Would you want to admit you worked for the Obama Administration?
Snowed In on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I don’t think it is a bow…I think it is a Michael Jackson “crotch grab”.
right2bright on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
I’m not up on the correct response from a President when he didn’t serve in the military, but did anyone notice that when Obama got off the plane in Iraq, the Commanding Officer (Ordeinaro) saluted Obama. Obama never returned the salute. He just held out his hand and shook commanders hand.
Is that correct protecal?
PappaMac on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
What we know , bush never bowed , he were given a medal.
It may be seen in some way as a political “bow” , but not a symbolical.
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
They’re just saying he didn’t bow so they can later admit it in order to conceal what Obam…uhhh… was really doing – snorting cocaine from the secret compartment in the King’s ring.
Master Shake on April 8, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Obama was just looking for his shine box.
Firebird on April 8, 2009 at 4:55 PM
ok so bush held hands with the king–obama bows to him…hmmmmm…ok yeah, bowing is much worse IMHO
Equality 7-2521 on April 8, 2009 at 4:55 PM
I wonder if we should all send the whitehouse this video and ask them to explain how this is not a bow. Let them see the tale of two bows, and tell them it has been viewed by millions upon millions of people in the United States. How do you say LIAR in liberalese?
canditaylor68 on April 8, 2009 at 4:55 PM
Not “idiots”. Blatant LIARS. LIARS. They LIE with ease. They are comfortable LYING and they LIE constantly. When did this become OK?
marklmail on April 8, 2009 at 4:55 PM
It’s true that Obama doesnt grasp Abdullah’s hand with both hands as he executes the bow, but it does appear that he grasps both hands immediately afterward.
Not that this really makes any difference. And frankly, I think the Obama aide lying about the bow is worse than the bow. I think the bow was a bad move, but it was a momentary thing. Consciously lying about it, as this aide is doing now, is just stupid and wrong.
And why on earth would Ben Smith allow anonymity to an Obama aide to comment on this? Why let someone hide behind a wall of secrecy when they’re clearly lying?
orange on April 8, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Because it might mess up his other gig at MSNBC.
Jim Treacher on April 8, 2009 at 4:56 PM
“Obama inherited this Bow from George W Bush, and the failed policies of the last 8 years….”- TOTUS.
portlandon on April 8, 2009 at 4:56 PM
I’m getting really sick of the White House flat out lying to us. I’d have more respect for them if they just said “Yeah, he bowed. So what?”
CookeyD on April 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
I hadn’t seen the vid from the side before; the Dainty One even does a right leg sweep with his bow to the King. Is it possible he’s a closet beta male?
Dusty on April 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
This is a deep, deep bow. Not a nod. Not a respectful semi-bow. A deep, deep bow of respect and submission.
marklmail on April 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
The great Will Rogers once said the following
“A few people learn by Watching
A few people learn by Reading
chemman on April 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
This has all the makings of a Monty Python sketch…
Reporter: Why did you bow to King Abdullah?
Obama: I didn’t bow to him.
Reporter: Er, yes, you did.
Obama: No, I didn’t.
Reporter: Yes, you did.
And so on…
flipflop on April 8, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Holding hands = equals.
Bowing = deference to power greater than oneself(unequal).
canditaylor68 on April 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Patriot code message for Barry:
T J Green on April 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Bush: in office 8 years, barely ever admitted even small mistakes = no big deal
Obama: in office 10 weeks and hasnt admitted every mistake he has made = ARROGANCE!
orange on April 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Stay away from Beck then, if Cavuto can rock your world! (I like it, tho)
OT – check out Bret Baier and the panel online at 7 PM EDT, right after Special Reports goes off the air. This is great fun!
ladyingray on April 8, 2009 at 4:58 PM
It looked very mulsimiac to me…to coin a word.
The Wall on April 8, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Obama says it isn’t appropriate to lie to the American people. I guess we can call that another flip-flop.
deidre on April 8, 2009 at 4:59 PM
ok wait wait wait…so Bush bowed (supposedly) to recieve a medal? and then they held hands and frollicked through some flowers?
Equality 7-2521 on April 8, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Sorry didn’t finish the quote and comment then I hit the wrong key.
“A few people learn by Watching
A few people learn by Reading
But the vast majority learn by peeing on the
electric fence”
Seems like the trolls are still peeing on the electric fence in their defense of the bow.
chemman on April 8, 2009 at 5:00 PM
I’m sure you’re right… and that doesn’t really bother me that much. I never expect to agree with someone on everything and I still find things of value on his site.
The thing that bothers me is that I am usually pretty impressed with his investigative posts — I often learn things on LGF that I don’t see elsewhere — so I’m really surprised he would latch on to the weak attempt to spin Bush’s “bow” to receive a medal from the Saudis as some sort of explanation or justification of Obama’s bow.
It’s odd that the guy who debunked the fake Bush memo would ignore what seems like pretty darned clear video evidence of Obama’s actions.
Y-not on April 8, 2009 at 5:00 PM
LGF:s take is “bush did it too!” but then ,why do the white house leak a denial.
Is the white house frantic going through old presidential videos to find other potus bowing , so they can say “he did too!”.
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 5:01 PM
No…. it was just Barry being the Precedent…
this is not the first time Barry has not returned a salute…
But yes, the Commander in chief has historicly returned salutes from uniformed personel… as a sign of respect…
Kinda says it all don’t it.
Romeo13 on April 8, 2009 at 5:01 PM
chemman on April 8, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Seems like the trolls are still peeing on the electric fence in their defense of the bow.
That’s how Crissie got the thrill up his leg in the first palce.
kingsjester on April 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
“I did not have an inappropriate bow to that Muslim, King Abdullah.”
fogw on April 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Ed,
I wrote this five days ago hoping you could do some more of your nice original reporting. I was thinking you could get them to tell the predictable Orwellian lie to HotAir for the record before the story was exposed and they realized that the lie wouldn’t work.
econavenger on April 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Frankly, the bow looked automatic and natural.
EconomicNeocon on April 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Bowing or doing janitor duty…..same thing.
Oh, the “taller” statement brings to mind a scene from Smoky and the Bandit “Somehow, you sounded, ahhhh….taller…. on the radio.
BobMbx on April 8, 2009 at 5:02 PM
As per Ben (Ilovemesomeobama) Smith’s blog:
aquaviva on April 8, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Two different occasions. Holding hands just shows your friendly. Not that you’re submissive.
Everyone “bows” down when they get a medal. If you don’t “bow” when you enter a helicopter , you’ll hit your head..
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 5:03 PM
Holding hands in Arab culture is a sign of friendship. Bowing is a sign of deference. Big difference.
iurockhead on April 8, 2009 at 5:04 PM
Hell I would want to remain anonyomous to if I lied like that. What does the telepromter say??
Dire Straits on April 8, 2009 at 5:04 PM
This is amazing. You can click on the video and clearly watch him bow. Then you can read the account of the White House aide denying it. What the hell is going on?
I’m a high school teacher and I see this all the time with my 14 year old freshman students. I can clearly witness them passing a note to their friend and, when I call them on it, they deny it right to my face. Pretty typical behavior for 14 year old kids. Pretty pathetic for the President of the United States.
JohnInCA on April 8, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Everybody’s got it wrong. It was a sign of contempt. Obama farted.
hepcat on April 8, 2009 at 5:05 PM
The White House may be denying it………….
………. but it’s all over the Middle East, and they are dancing in the streets.
Thanks Mr. Teleprompter……….
………. can’t wait for your next book to read all about how a Saudi King’s privates tastes like.
Seven Percent Solution on April 8, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Love the WH park rangers.
First, he was “picking something up” on the floor; now in a 180- – he grasped with both hands.
Where is his third arm?
Michelle’s doesn’t count.
Odie1941 on April 8, 2009 at 5:05 PM
I think someone should make a video of him talking with Katie Couric saying it isn’t appropriate, show the bow, then site the article at the end.
deidre on April 8, 2009 at 5:05 PM
*appropriate to lie
deidre on April 8, 2009 at 5:06 PM
It was a subservient bow; promised long ago as a payback for campaign contributions
Ris4victory on April 8, 2009 at 5:06 PM
What does this mean? (once again, I’m on the late show)
anniekc on April 8, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Obama does the Jedi mind trick on the the MSM…”I did not bow to the King of Saudi Arabia”
MSM “He did not bow to the King of Saudi Arabia…”
Caper29 on April 8, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Unlike Obama, Bush always had the MSM to remind him of every little mistake. Obama could say King Abdullah was levitating and there’d probably be many in the MSM stroking their chins and saying “That’s quite plausible!”
ddrintn on April 8, 2009 at 5:07 PM
Maybe he was saying “Murcee boo-koo” while he did it.
AubieJon on April 8, 2009 at 5:07 PM
LMAO!@ “HornetSting”…Dude you rock! That was a ’stinger’! “Presidential Kneepads.” I smell a product to replace “Chia Obama” on “Walgreen’s” shelves. Can you ‘trademark’ it? $$$$
JoeySlippers on April 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM
He should have just kissed and held hands like w.
Creepy.
getalife on April 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM
I guess it’s important to the white house that Barry not be thought foolish.
snort.
anniekc on April 8, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Chicken.
Snowed In on April 8, 2009 at 5:10 PM
“Wasn’t me” says the adulterer to his wife when he’s caught red handed. And then the loving wife lies to herself.
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Wow. That is just awful spin. The BS meter just exploded.
Watch the video. He bows while shaking with a single hand. He only uses both his hands after standing back up.
batter on April 8, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Says to me that he doesn’t respect the Military.
He will bow to the leader of another country, (as a matter of fact, the country that the Liberals tell us we should have attacked, because the 9-11 hi-jackers were Saudi’s) but doesn’t salute the commander of the forces that he later praises for their service.
What a Douche Bag!
PappaMac on April 8, 2009 at 5:10 PM
Creepy.
getalife on April 8, 2009 at 5:08 PM
That’s what the librarians say as you leave the library for the night.
Bishop on April 8, 2009 at 5:11 PM
He knows some Austrian apparently..
the_nile on April 8, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Maybe the sheik said “Pull my finger” and Ogabe bent over laughing at the result. It could be, ya know.
Bishop on April 8, 2009 at 5:12 PM
Honestly….what is the probability that someone in the State Department “suggested” the POTUS make the bow?
Hmmm….who would benefit if the POTUS made some serious protocol errors on his first overseas apology trip?
Hmmmm even more………who is in charge of the State Department, whose job among others is to advise the POTUS of protocol when meeting dignitaries?
Is it…..SATAN? no, but close enough.
C’mon, let’s all give her a big hand, here she is, the one, the only…….
Cankles!
BobMbx on April 8, 2009 at 5:13 PM
MSM luvs them sum Obama pee…tastes just like wine.
jukin on April 8, 2009 at 5:14 PM
After the bow, ovomit rode away on his unicorn, pecs glistening, through a gentle but ever so golden shower……
Ris4victory on April 8, 2009 at 5:14 PM
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