Bush is sarcastic; girl who asked question cries

Ardentfrost · 07-11-2007, 07:39 PM

The Washington Times, America's Newspaper

A question for President Bush on immigration rose up like a ghost from the grave this afternoon in Ohio.

Only the questioner was a 13-year old blonde-headed girl, Jessica Hackerd, from Brecksville, Ohio, who immediately broke into tears after making her inquiry.

"Mr. President, I know immigration has been a big problem in the U.S. And what is your next step with the immigration bill?" Jessica asked Mr. Bush, during a question and answer period after a speech Mr. Bush gave to a Cleveland business group.

Mr. Bush's sarcastic reply -- a wry "yeah, thanks" -- drew laughter from the crowd of 400. But the attention caused young Jessica, who characterized herself in an interview afterward as very shy, to immediately tear up.

"No, it's a great question. No, I appreciate that," Mr. Bush said, as he saw Jessica's reaction.

Jessica, in the interview, said that she was crying because she was so nervous.

But when the president's sarcastic answer was mentioned, she said, "I heard that too."

Mr. Bush went on to speak more than 1,100 words about the death of his proposed comprehensive immigration reform, which was a heavy blow when it fell apart last month.

But Jessica, there with her parents and younger sister, continued to wipe tears from her eyes for several minutes, and midway through his answer, Mr. Bush again tried to encourage the distraught youngster without drawing too much attention to her.

"It's a great question by the way, and I'm glad you asked it," Mr. Bush said.

But when the president finished taking questions, an aide immediately went to Jessica and took her backstage.

After Mr. Bush had finished shaking hands for over 10 minutes, he met with Jessica and her family.

"He said it was really brave of me to do that and he said he probably wouldn't have been able to do that," Jessica said. "And he said it was the first time anybody had asked him about [immigration] since it happened."

Jessica said she did not say much besides, "Thanks."

She asked the question about immigration, she said, because her father, Richard, has engaged her in conversations about the topic, and that was what popped into her head.

Thank God it ended ok... he'd have to be one cold bastard to just let her cry and not end up answering the question.

But I can't help but feel sorry for the young girl. She just asked a question that was weighing on her mind, and Bush's standard response made her cry.

ballz2wallz · 07-11-2007, 10:27 PM

Unintentional mishap, he meant nothing by it.

What do you mean by his 'standard response'? Does he always say 'yeah thanks' to answer questions?

Ardentfrost · 07-11-2007, 10:30 PM

Originally Posted by ballz2wallz

Unintentional mishap, he meant nothing by it.

What do you mean by his 'standard response'? Does he always say 'yeah thanks' to answer questions?

I often see clips of him making little remarks like this when someone asks him a question he doesn't necessarily want to answer. He plays it off as a joke, just as he did in this case, but in this particular case the girl was 13 and didn't have the thick skin of the usual question-askers.

It's not a good or bad thing, that's just what he does

Roonie · 07-11-2007, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

I often see clips of him making little remarks like this when someone asks him a question he doesn't necessarily want to answer. He plays it off as a joke, just as he did in this case, but in this particular case the girl was 13 and didn't have the thick skin of the usual question-askers.

It's not a good or bad thing, that's just what he does

Yep seen it too and that is what he does.

Donkey® · 07-11-2007, 11:12 PM

Impeachment. Immediate and total.

Ardentfrost · 07-11-2007, 11:24 PM

Originally Posted by Donkey®

Impeachment. Immediate and total.

6SpeedTA95 · 07-11-2007, 11:24 PM

This is rather humerous, I feel for the girl but welcome to the real world, you can't get your feelings hurt over every thing someone else says.

Ardentfrost · 07-11-2007, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by 6SpeedTA95

This is rather humerous, I feel for the girl but welcome to the real world, you can't get your feelings hurt over every thing someone else says.

lmao, damn dude, you're ice cold. She's 13 and had the balls to say ANYTHING to the leader of the free world in front of a shit ton of people. I think she's kinda ahead of the curve as far as that goes.

thomez · 07-12-2007, 12:57 AM

yeah he was in Cleveland... whoop tee do

Linzyhop · 07-12-2007, 10:11 AM

put the girl on the Sheehan campaign.

6SpeedTA95 · 07-12-2007, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

lmao, damn dude, you're ice cold. She's 13 and had the balls to say ANYTHING to the leader of the free world in front of a shit ton of people. I think she's kinda ahead of the curve as far as that goes.

Ice ice baby...

Thorgrim · 07-14-2007, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Ardentfrost

lmao, damn dude, you're ice cold. She's 13 and had the balls to say ANYTHING to the leader of the free world in front of a shit ton of people. I think she's kinda ahead of the curve as far as that goes.

13, she should be working in the salt mines to be financial stable from her parents and writing editorials for the Washington Times on how terrible Democrats are

JaJae · 07-14-2007, 02:19 PM

The girl was thirteen. He should set a better example. But she also learned a very good life lesson about politics she'll never forget.