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Bush on Saudi time

Posted: Monday, January 14, 2008 12:19 PM
Filed Under:

By John Yang, NBC News' White House Correspondent 

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia – It's no secret that President Bush is a man who follows the adage, "Early to bed, early to rise ... " He likes to be in bed by 9:30 p.m. and is so particular about sleeping that during the 2000 presidential campaign he was known to travel with his own pillow.

In her famous 2005 monologue at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, First Lady Laura Bush joked: "I said to him the other day, ‘George, if you really want to end tyranny in the world, you're going to have to stay up later.’"

He appears to be following her advice.

Monday’s palace meeting with Saudi Arabian King Abdullah – an 83-year-old night-owl who often does business after midnight – is scheduled for the unheard (for Bush) hour of 9:05 p.m. In another departure from the president's usual pattern, the meeting is after dinner, not before. White House officials say the schedule was set at the king's request.

"You know, this is a matter of great sensitivity," a senior administration official said with a smile.

U.S. President George W. Bush is shown a falcon owned by Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
SLIDESHOW:  Bush's Middle East trip

National Security Advisor Stephen Hadley was asked if it was the latest meeting Bush has ever scheduled.

"I don't know," he said. "It sort of depends on which time zone – are we on Washington time? Are we on Saudi time? I don't know."

Scheduling official meetings late in the day is an Arab custom – the tradition stems from the fact that is so hot during the day for most of the year.  Monday’s meeting with the Saudi king will be the latest night during Bush’s eight-day Mideast trip which has included stops in Israel, the West Bank, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Egypt.

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I saw a BBC video the other day of Dubya holding a scimitar high above his head at a photo opt function. Where he was I don't know but he was surrounded by a bunch of Arab fellows who seemed to be having fun watching our Prez waving the Islamic symbol while the cameras were rolling . What a guy !!

Purpsam (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 7:19 PM)

I am 61 and a registered Independent who will vote for the better candidate regardless of party affiliation.  But, this president is a disgrace.  During the Vietnam War Lyndon Johnson would be up in the middle of the night worrying about our troops and reading casualty reports.  FDR and Truman did the same during WW II.  Lincoln did the same during the Civil War.  This pathetic excuse of a president goes to bed at 9:30 every night when he is the sole reason that our brave troops, men and women, are at risk 24 hours a day in Iraq and Afghanistan.  Many of these troops have had their tours extended while their families struggle at home and many more struggle to get first-class treatment at V.A. hospitals when they come home gravely wounded.  How can any American speak in support of Bush and Cheney when not one member of their extended families is serving in the military yet they have no problem sending the children of middle-class families and minority families into harm's way.  They should be thrown out of office 5 minutes after the next president is elected... forget waiting until January 20.

William Hanley, Mantua, NJ (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 7:21 PM)

Man, if he would just sleep for about a year, we would all feel safer.

James Raleigh, NC (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 7:43 PM)

And all these past almost 8 years I thought he was going to bed at 9am.  Are you sure you have it right?  My goodness!  So now are you trying to tell me he goes to bed at 930PM, gets up at 7AM, and goes back to bed at 9AM?  WOW!  No wonder he is dizzy!

AJ, Springfield, Va (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 7:46 PM)

I do not envy that job.
Although in history most presidents are disliked till after they die.
It is only then when they become heroes in the eyes of the public.

Buchanan Arkansas (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 8:14 PM)

It is amazing how all of these people with the negative comments are so swift to critize. Like monday morning quarter backs with nothing better to do but to say what they would have done differently. Curious to see how many of you volunteer for your country. How many of you are retired or active duty military. How many of you go to church and give to charities. I would not be surprised if all of you negative, spindless, nay sayer's have been to busy playing your playstation 3 on line, killing everything in sight.
I say, Thank You Prsident Bush, for having the back bone to do what you think is best. You have a lot of stuff to worry about, dont think another moment about the negative crap spewed on the internet.

Curtis J, South Carolina (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 8:57 PM)

I don't give a hoot about the Presidents late night meeting. If he was in contact with the real world, maybe he would stop and by a loaf of bread on the way home. Everyone is missing the point. These people do not have a clue as to you and me. Congress getting a $4000.00 raise this year. Everyone in Washington is out of touch with the real world, they have let big bussiness sell and merge until there is little or no competition and we are paying through the nose because of their greed. Retailers suing individuals to recover the loss of insurance monies paid out. Families struggling to make ends meet, let alone having quality time as a family. Children raising children, or the tax payer's money going to raise the children because the parents can't. Hurricane fraud rampant. Social Security in jeopardy, yet the government keeps spending like money grows on trees. Like the bridge to nowhere in Alaska. Bush giving billions away like there is no tomorrow. Mean while, I get home, cook then get in bed sometime tonight and get up and do it all again so that I can pay taxes for thr bastards to have spenging money and hope that someone will really care about our childrens future and quit spending it for nothing and on nothing so that someone half way around the world will like us, Bull S@*#. Wake up America!!!!!

Danny DuBose (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 9:22 PM)

Oil is pretty cheap. No further attacks on our soil.
Thanks CIA, FBI, judicial, executive and legislative branches of our government and all the dedicated smart people that work for our safety.

Dan

Danny Poore, Rancho Cucamonga, CA (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 9:24 PM)

I think President Bush is following in the foot steps of his father.  If you recall the former President Bush made a trip right after leaving office to work on private business deals with the Saudi Government.  He used the waning infuence he had to secure some sort of continuing relationship.  I can see why GW would stay up late for them he's protecting that relationship too.

Jim (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:04 PM)

Its going to be a happy day when his term is finished and he take's his cronies with him. I wish terms lasted four years only. Eight years of any recent president is too long for me

BCB in Arizona (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:20 PM)

I hope some of the Bush-haters are more intelligent than the ones who post here

John (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:24 PM)

I see we support our president as much as we do our troops.  Give me a break, the presidency is more then just one man'  And lets remember he was only president for 9 mo. when the biggest tragedy in American history occurred, which was planned and american trained during the Clinton years.

Support you country, your president & your troops.

Young Person, Hanging Chads, Florida (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:47 PM)

All political moves are purely motivated by selfishness and in the end reflect only ones desire to gain personal benefit from the situation at hand. Anything done in the public eye is most often meant to be in order to persuade the majority to accept/decline  a certain agenda/idea. This is the nature of politics. Its not about what "is"...it's about what "is"...can be, due to intelligently formulated craft, as our former President said, Bill Clinton. Ultimately, any person who has decided to be part of the political spectrum and actively engaged in running for a position/idea is essentially a liar at some point. But no one said it was a clean business. Thats the way it is.Sad but true.

Kevin Southaven, MS (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:52 PM)

Who would you rather have over there Putin of Russia selling there arms or maybe the chinese they would like the oil big time. This president has protected this nation the very thing the constitution said is his number one job. Blame the congress and the senate for all the mistakes they have made like NAFTA under Bill Clinton Remember all those mexicans were going to buy Cadilacs This president has protected us and if he needs friends over there to help us out why not who are we suppose to turn to?? Congress and the Senate screwed things up allowing Hyundi's from south korea to be sold here with no tariffs but we can't sell a chevy or a ford there without huge tarffs Come on now where should we get our oil that we need from Chaves communist puppet of Russia We have plenty of oil right here in North America off our shores and in canada oh but thats sensitive places come on The senate and the congress pockets are full of easy money Blame them don't blame the president, his job is to protect the home land and he;s done his job.

Bill (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 10:59 PM)

Am I supposed to be impressed by the schedule of our president's private life? Many, many people rise between 4 am and 5 am and go back to sleep around 11 or 12 pm. Unless Bush is getting up at 3 am or 4 am, I don't think the press has anything to brag about.

And more importantly - WHY DOES ANYONE CARE?!

Please, stop making press stories about useless crap. Tell us what's HAPPENING. (And not what the president had for breakfast.)

Beyond Confusion (Sent Monday, January 14, 2008 11:20 PM)

W cannot leave office too soon. He has been an embarrassment to the United Sates and seems to care more about scaring people with the continual talk of terrorists, sending money by the billions overseas to promote (sometimes unwanted or unwarranted) "democracy" abroad instead of focusing first on his own country where those billions could go to educate, feed and provide medical services for the people of the United States.
Security is important but how many people came to rescue the US when 911 occured. Lots of sympathy, but any money? Many words, but any help rebuidling? I don't think so.
So I hope W enjoys his trip to Saudi Arabia. Who knows, maybe he can get a full time job as a consultant with the Saudis and help them ward off the threat of terrorist (so his oil wells won't be in danger any more).

Bill W, NYC (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:01 AM)

Having been to Saudi Arabia twice, both for business and for family obligations. I can say that this is very common...actually early for a meeting from my experience.  We rarely get to bed before 4am over there, but considering the time difference is 11 hours for us (8 for Mr Bush) it should not be too much of a stretch to stay awake and alert.  We went to attend a family wedding in June, which STARTED at 11PM and was attended by about 400 people (granted, it was separated into 2 rooms, one for men, one for women).  One of the reasons for scheduling late is that the culture revolves around the prayer times, the last of which is around the 8-9pm hour, so any social or business event that one would not want to interupt for the prayer usually takes place after the last prayer, then they have until dawn to socialize. (By the way, I am a female, non-muslim, and have been treated well while over there...but it's not my vacation destination of choice--I just keep the in-laws there!)

Michelle, Sacramento, CA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 1:41 AM)

hopefully he follows other good adages...

enzo, san luis obispo, ca (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:37 AM)

With no terrorist attack in our country since 9/11, we should all be fortunate to have a president like George W. Bush. I hope he gets the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to bring peace, stability and freedom to the middle east.

Marc, Austin, Texas (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 2:57 AM)

Bush won't "give" $60 billion worth of arms to Saudi Arabia...sell them $20 billion worth of arms for $60 billion maybe, but never give them the arms!
The only country that gets free arms from the US is Israel!!!

Sam, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:06 AM)

What dimension are you living in, Iam tulsa? I guess you are one of the few Americans left who agree with what he has done--his popularity polls are still low and may go lower before we are rid of him.  He is desperately trying to broker a peace agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis to "secure his Legacy" after doing nothing about it for 7 years. Plus, he goes to the Mideast and doesn't set foot in Iraq! Even the Republican candidates are distancing themselves from him, prefering to refer to Reagan as if neither Bush ever was President. I could muster a modicum of respect for his father, at least, but W. is a dead loss in my book.

Sara, Butler, PA (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 4:44 AM)

I agree with iam tulsa and will go further as to say that he is the best President the country ever had. He cares deeply for the people.

rolliMac (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 5:25 AM)

George W. remember is making sure that his dad, brothers Jeb, Neil and Marvin are making tons of money off the backs of Americans. He has no idea about anything other then what he needs to do to keep his big business, special interest groups and lobbyist happy. The Saudi's are prime supporters of terrorist groups and Islamic organizations that are here on American soil whose mission is to take America down, killing ALL who are not of the Islamic faith. And yes everyday I regrett having voted for this A.H., he and his cohorts within Congress and Government are destroying us from within.

Phil, Petal, Mississipi (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:18 AM)

by the way, he is going to arm Saudi with billions of dollars worth of weapons to keep Iranians at bay -- IF the Iranians drop their nuke plans -- will the sale still go ahead -- Bet it will!!!

Asad, Hyderabad, India (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:22 AM)

HOW CAN THIS LITTLE MONSTER SLEEP AT ALL AFTER CAUSING THE DEATH OF UNTOLD THOUSANDS OF IRAQUIS AND HIS OWN TROOPS,WHOM HE PROBABLY CONSIDERS "HIRED HELP?"

JIM WILSON,RIVERVIEW FL (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:32 AM)

Bush presidency is almost over and I'm sure no matter how bad people disagree with him including myself, he does love the US. We may not agree with everything he does but he is still our President and will always be an American no matter what.  God bless America and the troops serving overseas and their families who sacrifice just as much as our servicemembers.

Jane, San Antonio, TX (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:50 AM)

I wonder if "W" heard, between naps, that Benazir Bhutto stated, matter-of-factly, that Osama bin Laden was murdered by one Omar Sheikh, during her Nov. 2 in-terview with David Frost?  I'll bet he knew it back when he said, "I don't know where he is," and that he didn't spend that much time on OBL. Maybe that was "W's" way of telling the troops not to bother looking for the tall one.  If I'd been one of those seeking bin Laden out, that's the message I'd have gotten.  Why risk my health looking for OBL if "W" doesn't even care.
    Wonder why the press hasn't played up Bhutto's statement?  They still keep telling us about "his" latest tape (and why only audio? His so-called 2nd in command doesn't seem to mind showing HIS face!!!
    Oh, well, to h--l with it!  Where'd I put that falafel?  

S. David Forte (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 6:51 AM)

Please don't mock a culture you don't understand. I felt safter with $20,000 in my pocket on the streets of Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam than I ever have on our own US streets. Moat Saudis are our allies and quite astute in the ways of our culture. If only we were as adept at business we would be the Superpower we claim to be. Before Bush 43 I would have gladly gone back and contineud to work in the region. Honor and social graces are still still something understood there. (I am not disparaging good old American Patriotism) but when it comes to honor and ethics in business we are babes in the woods.

Expatriate Charles Randall, Provo Utah (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:15 AM)

I'm shocked to hear he can plop into bed at 9:30 and drop off when I'm still awake worrying about everything he's screwed up.

jorge (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 7:30 AM)

It is important that the United States, especially its president, demonstrates clear understanding that the world is not completely "flat" and that differences in culture still do matter.  Whatever our relationship at this moment with Saudi Arabia or any other country, we must show our respect for their traditions, as we ask their respect for ours.  Small efforts, such as these, produce great returns and stronger friendships.  I only hope that civility will also return to our internal political debates, and that some understanding and respect for differences in our own society will also begin to emerge.  

anonymous (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:02 AM)

A man goes to pick up his paycheck, and the world press makes a big deal out of it.

Killbucket (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:12 AM)

Over 40% of foreign fighters on Iraq soil killing US Soldiers are from Saudi Arabia.  14 out of the 17 hijackers were from Saudi Arabia yet this A**-CLOWN is supplying them with BILLIONS in weapons?!?!  And to top it off he is sitting at the OPEC meeting URGING for more oil-output?!?  Does he actually believe that anyone there is taking him serious?  I am stunned, fascinated and disgusted at the same time.  Sad part is also that we have people like 'Iam tulsa' who have no clue as to what they are talking about...

In disgust (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:19 AM)

Are you kidding me? The "dangling chad" president? Jeb scammed "millions" of old people in Florida? If they were intelligent enough to vote they wouldve gotten it right. Many other states had the same ballot but somehow FLORIDA is the one that complains about not being smart enough to figure it out? Tough.

Al Gore, who I'm sure is your darling, wanted to disallow thousands of overseas ballots from service men serving in many countries because they were late getting over here. Wow, what a great "Commander in Chief" he wouldve made.

Useless, all of you! (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:23 AM)

With all of the complaints blogged so far I wonder why more of you aren't traveling and living someplace other than our wonderful USA.  I too, am grateful for President Bush and, while realizing that he is not perfect, he certainly isn't just sitting back passing time until his term is over. God Bless our President, God Bless America, and God Bless and help us all, even our complaining, sniveling, fault finding citizens. They don't know what they don't know.   Freedom Maiden

JoAnne Craner Buhl, Idaho (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 8:39 AM)

I voted for George Bush twice, obviously so did a lot of other people.  Not because I particularly liked him, but figured he was better than the alternatives.

We elected him - twice...

I would like to see more reporting on Al Gore - been wondering just exactly what he's been up to lately.

independent from MN (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 9:31 AM)

Are you kidding me?  Am I supposed to believe that we haven't had terrorist attacks in the U.S. because of Bush?  Lets all praise him?  What about the 200+ years before him?  What about the fact that the only foreign attack on American soil since the American Revolution happened DURING his watch?  Oh yeah, Clinton flew those planes. Duh.

Educator, Tulsa, Ok (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:06 AM)

BCB in Arizona -- terms DO only last for four years.  It was the country that elected him to be President again, thus making eight years.  You shouldn't get so emotional that you forget to educate yourself.  

Ed, Dallas, Tx (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:38 AM)

Peace Prize!!! You're joking, Right! I mean, You Gotta Be!

Joe (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:46 AM)

An "educator" writes "what about the fact that the only foreign attack on American Soil since the American Revolution happened during his watch?"  Are you kidding?  What were the first trade center bombings (during Clinton's 'watch'), not to mention the largest attack on our soil that took place at PEARL HARBOR.  Do you dispute that these took place?  Or, are you saying that there was an internal conspiracy behind them?  Take a hint from Ed in Dallas -- "You shouldn't get so emotional that you forget to educate yourself."  

Think, Ft. Worth, Tx (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 10:52 AM)

I think the President's example of getting a good night's rest is excellent.  He is a hard worker and cares deeply for our nation.  I'm thankful for him and his leadership. - AGREED.

David E, Milwaukee, WI (Sent Tuesday, January 15, 2008 12:01 PM)



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