late June, 2006
- Bush and Japanese PM have an Elvis day
By JENNIFER LOVEN
(Yahoo! News / Associated Press June 30, 2006)
With an in-flight airing of Elvis Presley's greatest hits and an offering of his favored grilled fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, President Bush brought Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi South Friday to see Graceland. DVDs of Elvis's movies were available aboard Air Force One, and White House press secretary Tony Snow sported gold-rimmed plastic sunglasses for the flight to Memphis, unarguably Koizumi's highlight of the week.
The Bush-Koizumi tour through the late rock 'n' roll legend's mansion was wrapping up two days of consultations. His visit saw military pomp, the tinkling of crystal at a black-tie dinner and two hours of discussions on Iraq, North Korea, U.S. beef exports and other weighty matters in the Oval Office. But their outing to the home of Koizumi's undisputed musical hero, with its oddity quotient and celebrity patina, was the most-anticipated portion.
Swiveling hips, spangled jumpsuits and over-the-top decor aren't Bush's usual style. And this is a president who routinely skips even the most awe-inspiring destinations on his speed-travels - such as India's Taj Mahal. So it's a sign of his fondness for the Japanese leader that Bush took Koizumi to a tourist hotspot, and by plane, no less, five years to the day after they first met. Aides said the president decided a Graceland tour was the perfect way, along with a gift of a jukebox loaded with Elvis hits, to bid adieu to a leader who is departing office in September after being one of his most ardent defenders on the world stage.
Bush revealed his excitement about the day's travels as he drew the formal dinner he threw for Koizumi at the White House to a close at 10:10 p.m. Thursday night. "Off to Graceland," the president said. Things got campy right off as the leaders flew to Memphis Friday morning on Air Force One. The public address system played "Love Me Tender" and "Don't Be Cruel" and other Elvis songs and Air Force stewards brought out that Elvis culinary favorite - grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches, each with 36 grams of fat. The two leaders passed on the sandwiches. Bush drank coffee and Koizumi drank green tea.
"I'm feeling a little heavy," groaned White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten, one of the few presidential aides who braved the breakfast treat. "I so rarely fry my peanut butter sandwiches." Snow did his best to fuel lingering conspiracy theories that Elvis never died, saying that Bush and Koizumi were likely to go to Elvis' "alleged grave site." In fact, Graceland spokesman David Beckwith said the "meditation garden" near the swimming pool where Elvis is buried was the chosen place for the two allies to have some "private time."
... Bush has always favored a more casual brand of diplomacy, holding fewer lavish state dinners than his predecessors and looking for personal touches whenever he can. For instance, Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen, like Bush an avid bike rider, was treated to a two-wheel jaunt around the Camp David presidential retreat earlier this month. Koizumi's treatment goes several steps further, making a visit to the president's Texas ranch no longer the premier reward for a foreign friend.
- Bush, Koizumi bond over Elvis at Graceland tour
By Caren Bohan and George Nishiyama
(Yahoo! News / Reuters June 30, 2006)
For Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi, a devout fan of Elvis Presley, it was the chance of a lifetime. President George W. Bush called it an "unusual experience." The two leaders took a road trip on Friday to pay homage to the king of Rock n' Roll and nurture a "Love Me Tender" bond between two staunch allies. At the finale of a two-day summit that touched on North Korea, Iraq and world trade talks, Bush and Koizumi were ready for "A Little Less Conversation" as they flew aboard Air Force One to Graceland, Elvis's Memphis mansion.
"It's like a dream," said Koizumi, 64, who shares a birthday with Elvis Presley and whose wavy hairstyle resembles that of the singer. Joined by Bush's wife, Laura, the leaders were given the royal treatment as they pulled up to the pop culture shrine, where a pink Cadillac was parked outside. Elvis's daughter, Lisa Marie, and his ex-wife, Priscilla, gave the trio a private tour.
As the first sitting president to visit Graceland, Bush received an original Elvis belt buckle from the singer's estate. Koizumi was given a vintage movie poster and Laura Bush got a "tender loving care" necklace.
HOLD ME TIGHT
Koizumi, known in Japan for his eccentricities and keen political instincts, could not resist belting out a few lines from Elvis's songs in front of the television cameras. In the green-carpeted "Jungle Room" where Elvis recorded some of his songs, Koizumi put his arm around Lisa Marie Presley and said, "Hold me close, hold me tight." He also put on sunglasses and struck a classic Elvis pose. "You're a pretty good Elvis singer," Bush told Koizumi, who crooned the opening bars of "Can't Help Falling In Love."
The president, who often talks about the turnaround in U.S.-Japanese relations since World War Two, called the trip a reminder of the closeness between the countries now. Bush gave an old-fashioned jukebox replete with Elvis tunes as a parting gift to Koizumi who is stepping down in September. Koizumi has been one of Bush's most loyal supporters in the war on terrorism.
Bush and Koizumi, who both love baseball, became friends five years ago after playing catch at Camp David. A few months later, Koizumi pledged strong support for the United States after the September 11 attacks. He also took a political risk in sending troops to Iraq, though they are now being drawn down.
Koizumi was not the only member of the entourage to ham it up on the Graceland road trip. White House spokesman Tony Snow briefed reporters on Air Force One wearing big, gold-framed sunglasses. The breakfast menu on the plane featured fried peanut butter and banana sandwiches, an Elvis favorite. After touring Graceland, Bush took Koizumi to the National Civil Rights Museum, formerly the Lorraine motel where civil rights leader Martin Luther King was shot.
Protesters held up a sign with an obscenity directed at Bush from the building across from the museum. Some anti-war protesters gathered, with signs such as "Don't forget Iraq." But attracting more media attention were four Elvis look-a-likes who donned white jumpsuits to protest the hunting of whales by the Japanese for scientific research. Bush and Koizumi later stopped for lunch at the Rendezvous, a local restaurant featuring Memphis-style barbecue, before going their separate ways.
- Bush gives Koizumi Elvis-heavy jukebox
(todayonline.com June 30, 2006)
Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi knew immediately what he wanted to hear first on the jukebox he received from US President George W. Bush: Elvis Presley. It wasn't "Hound Dog," it wasn't "All Shook Up," and it certainly wasn't "A Little Less Conversation." It was, instead, the kind of message you might expect at the two friends' final summit: "I Want You, I Need You, I Love You." "See, he loves Elvis!" Bush said as they held a joint question-and-answer session after talks in the White House Oval Office. White House spokesman Tony Snow said the jukebox was a large, old-style, square-top machine with around 100 vinyl 45s, "mostly 1950s rock and roll," and noted that you could watch the records play at the push of a button. Koizumi, in turn, gave Bush "a little motorized bicycle," silver in color, as well as a giant portrait of baseball great Babe Ruth in Japan "a long time ago" and a modern ink drawing of the Yankee slugger. ...
- Air Force One Becomes Elvis One for Koizumi Visit to Graceland
By Joe Sobczyk and Catherine Fisher
(Bloomberg.com June 30, 2006)
Many may lay claim to being Elvis Presley's No. 1 fan. Only one can get the leader of the free world to take him to Graceland. Japan's Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi ends his visit to the U.S. today by boarding Air Force One with President George W. Bush for a trip to Memphis, Tennessee, and a tour of the King's estate. The journey, arranged by the White House, is something of a parting gift from Bush to the man he calls his "dear friend,'' who leaves office in September.
And a special visit it will be. While even musical luminaries such as Bob Dylan and Paul Simon have had to wait in line with hoi polloi for tickets to see the 14-acre estate, Bush and Koizumi will have unfettered and uncrowded access, according to Jack Soden, chief executive officer of Elvis Presley Enterprises Inc. "In 24 years, this is the first time we've ever virtually halted tours for a few hours,'' Soden said. "Hopefully, our visitors will understand.''
Koizumi's ardor for Presley is well-known. The Japanese leader, 64, shares a Jan. 8 birthday with Elvis and wears his hair in a style that recalls Presley's pompadour. He has released a compilation of his favorite Elvis recordings and attended the dedication of a bronze Presley statue in Tokyo in 1987. He's also been known to break into an Elvis song with little prompting. While the prime minister isn't officially a member of Japan's largest official Elvis Presley fan club, the organization "sends a newsletter to Koizumi every two months,'' club President Tadayuki Akazawa said.
Family Matter
The Elvis fascination is familial, according to Akazawa. "Koizumi's brother, Masaya, has been a member of the club since it was founded in 1985,'' he said. Planning for the Graceland tour began in February, shortly after Koizumi's U.S. trip was scheduled, with the details being overseen by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Joseph Hagin, Soden said.
Koizumi, Bush and First Lady Laura Bush won't have to deal with the barriers that keep regular tourists -- about 600,000 of them each year -- from some rooms of the mansion, he said. In addition, Graceland staff will bring out some items that aren't normally on display for the prime minister to hold, Soden said. What those articles will be hadn't been determined yesterday. "There are certainly things you can do for three guests that are more personal and up close that what you can do for 3,000 guests,'' Soden said.
Tourist Attractions
Among the highlights of any Graceland tour, according to Soden, is the racquetball court that holds a display of gold records, music awards and apparel, and the Meditation Garden where Presley, who died Aug. 16, 1977, is buried. "There's something for everybody at Graceland,'' Soden said. ``I can't guess what will be the high point for the minister. Hopefully, we'll know the answer to that question before he leaves.''
While the official agenda for Bush, 59, and Koizumi was dominated by the serious challenges facing both countries by North Korea and future involvement in Iraq, the ghost of Elvis was everywhere. Both men made repeated references to their pending road trip to Graceland during their public events. "Officially, he's here to see the president,'' Bush said yesterday during the welcoming ceremony for Koizumi at the White House. "But I know the highlight of his visit will be paying his respects to the King.'' Koizumi confirmed the sentiment. Ending a joint news conference at the White House yesterday, Koizumi said in English: "Thank you very much, American people, for 'Love Me Tender.'''
- Gilbert man says eBay the way to sell real estate
By David van den Berg
(Arizona Republic June 30, 2006)
A Gilbert man and Elvis Presley have something in common. This year, both have had homes listed on eBay. One of Elvis' homes in Memphis, which he purchased with royalties from Heartbreak Hotel and owned for 13 months, brought a winning bid of $905,100, said Catherine England, a spokeswoman for the Web site. Now, Gary Rudnick's Gilbert home is posted with a price of $449,000, as is a house he recently purchased in Mesa. That house is posted with a price of $329,000. ...
- IS CLOONEY DATING ELVIS' EX?
(contactmusic.com June 30, 2006)
GEORGE CLOONEY has reportedly found summer loving on the shores of Italy's Lake Como - with ELVIS PRESLEY's ex. The odd couple has been spotted dining together in the village where Clooney has a huge holiday villa, and the movie star even treated his guest to a sunset boat ride around the lake, according to website TMZ.com. Thompson, who was dating Presley when he died in 1977, has a string of high-profile exes - she was married to US Olympian BRUCE JENNER and songwriter DAVID FOSTER. Clooney is reportedly dating his on-off lover KRISTA ALLEN, and was spotted spending quality time with the actress in Italy last week.
- Song of the Whale
(npr.org June 29, 2006)
Do you enjoy the music of Elvis Presley? Do you love whales? Folks at the International Fund for Animal Welfare [IFAW] are hoping to capitalize on Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi's love of Elvis's music to save some of the whales caught by Japanese fishermen every year. Koizumi is going to Graceland today to pay his respects. IFAW has put out a press release saying it's sending six Elvis impersonators to meet Koizumi and perform a "special version" of Elvis's hit song, "Don't Be Cruel." No word yet on whether Elvis has reached out from the grave and saved any whales.
- Circle of Friends
By Richard Wolffe and Holly Bailey
(msnbc.msn.com / Newsweek June 28, 2006)
Bush's farewell summit with the Japanese prime minister will include beef, barbecue and Graceland. What their trip tells us about the U.S. president's style of diplomacy.
It is by far the most bizarre session with any foreign leader during the presidency of George W. Bush. For a commander in chief who dislikes foreign travel and rarely hosts state dinners, this week's trip to Graceland with the Japanese prime minister is an extraordinary event.
In theory, the Elvis pilgrimage is something of a parting gift for Junichiro Koizumi, who steps down in the fall. Koizumi is such a big Presley fan that he selected his own favorite tracks for a Japanese CD. For his part, President Bush cares so little about music that he entrusts his iPod selections to his old friend, music junkie Mark McKinnon.
But even more important than the journey to Memphis is what the trip says about Bush's exceptionally personal form of diplomacy. Bush's foreign policy aides insist that the idea for a Graceland visit came from the president himself, not from Koizumi. "About a year ago, the president started saying to us as staff, 'I would like to take him to Graceland,' and we all thought he might be joking," said one senior administration official, who insisted on anonymity in talking about Bush's foreign-policy discussions. "But as he repeated it several times to us, we realized he indeed thought it was a great thing to do." The result is an Elvis-themed day on Friday, complete with Elvis movies on Air Force One and a strategic opportunity for Koizumi to go karaoke. "I imagine that Koizumi may pick up a mike somewhere along the way," the senior Bush aide said. "He does sing Elvis songs."
Of course the White House would like you to know that it's not all play. There will be extensive talks about North Korea, Iran and Iraq. And even the fun stuff can have a greater meaning: in Memphis, the two leaders will eat some of the city's finest barbecue. Given the Japanese ban on U.S. beef because of concerns about mad-cow disease, the mere sight of Koizumi eating American meat is a symbolic stamp of approval. As trivial as it sounds, there are certain strengths to this kind of one-on-one diplomacy. There's little doubt among Japan analysts that the close relationship between Bush and Koizumi has been critical in improving relations between the United States and Japan. After the economic rivalries of the 1980s and the Japanese stagnation of the 1990s, the Koizumi-Bush era looks like a golden one.
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