Wednesday, Jul. 05, 2006

4 Ways to Visit with President Bush

By Mike Allen

George W. Bush took buddy Junichiro Koizumi to Graceland last week, where the Japanese Prime Minister donned Elvis shades, strummed air guitar and intoned Love Me Tender. State dinners are rare under Bush, but he's entertaining foreign leaders in his own way.

HANDS ON Bush's Crawford, Texas, ranch is the Administration clubhouse. Vladimir Putin of Russia and Mexico's Vicente Fox have visited, but it was Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, now King, right, who last year got the warmest touch. Most guests settle for a ride in Bush's pickup.

WHEELIE GOOD TIES Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, King Abdullah of Jordan and British PM Tony Blair have visited Camp David, but Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen got to pedal with the Prez in June. A buff Bush joked that he presumed his guest wouldn't "ride me into the ground."

MESSAGE IN A MEAL? The Presidents of Mexico, Poland, the Philippines and Kenya were honored by the teetotaling Bush with White House state dinners. The Chinese fought for Hu Jintao to be so feted when he visited in April--but had to settle for a "social lunch." --By Mike Allen