Bush To Filipino President: "I Am Reminded Of The Great Talent Of The -- Of Our Philippine-Americans When I Eat Dinner At The White House"

President Bush met with Filipino President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo today at the White House. Arroyo was in Washington while her country tries to recover from a typhoon that devastated coastal areas and flipped a ferry carrying over 800 passengers last week. Before discussing aide for the Philippines, Bush couldn't resist beginning the sober meeting with a quip about a Filipino member of his kitchen staff. Read part of the transcript from the meeting and click here to read more about one of the "Philippine-Americans" Bush is referring to. See the excerpt below:

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. We have just had a very constructive dialogue. First, I want to tell you how proud I am to be the President of a nation that -- in which there's a lot of Philippine-Americans. They love America and they love their heritage. And I reminded the President that I am reminded of the great talent of the -- of our Philippine-Americans when I eat dinner at the White House. (Laughter.)

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Yes.

PRESIDENT BUSH: And the chef is a great person and a really good cook, by the way, Madam President.

PRESIDENT ARROYO: Thank you.

Comments

[tyrdofwaitin]

This reminds me of the comment made by Pat Nixon on Nixon's first trip to China: she's purported to have said after a major diplomatic dinner --- "This is the best Chinese food I've ever had!" Anyone for some more Chop Suey?

[Word]

I believe that some of you on this site really need to examine your own bias and bigotry. Once again had the chef been French than nobody would have offended. Because you know, the French are great chefs. But, God Forbid the chef be from the Phillippines.........I mean since she is from the Philipinnes than she must hold a menial position as a fry cook in the White House.

And no I am not a Bush Supporter.

[maidenofdforest]

No, she, Ms. Comerford is main Chef in the truest sense of the word, not menial job since she is responsible for the daily meals of the First Family.

[Word]

I had to cut my comments into three sections. re-read all my comments and that above statement will make sense. I am very aware that she is the Head Chef.

[wendy01]

I don't think it was as racist as it was showing of the true intellect of our commander in chief...Whether the president was from the Phillipines or France ,was the best thing he could think of to say was a comment about food....He's an idot,point ,blank, period....

[Cynth]

As I mentioned in a post above, this was not a state visit simply to stage photo ops. It was intended to discuss aid to victims of recent disasters in the Phillipines (some of whom require food aid), and he awkwardly and insensitively directed conversation to the fine food he enjoys from an ethnic Filipino staffer. From that standpoint, your point about a French chef is irrelevant, albeit misguided, nevertheless.

There is good etiquette and social/official protocols that should exhibited by the Commander in Chief or any head of state (they even have assistants to help them with this); but after almost eight years (nevermind having been brought up with the legacy and privilege of his family), Bush's utter lack of manners and lack of dignity and respect for The Office shouldn't even earn him "Commander in Chef." It's yet another form of insult to the nation and people he represents.

[Word]

I also believe that this story would have never been a story had the circumstances been a little different. Let us suppose that instead of a state visit from the Philippine President it was a visit from a French President. Let us also suppose that instead of a Filipino chef in the White House it was a French Chef in the White House. Would this story even be a story? I highly doubt it.........because we all know great chefs come from France..............nobody would care at all. But, since the current Head Chef of the White House is a Filipino woman everyone feels the need to be offended on her behalf. How patronizing can some of you people really be? That is an insult to Chef Comerford and her years and years of dedication to her art and craft. Do you really believe that her position is just one of a lowly cook?

[mbh78213]

The remark would have been patronizing under any circumstances and with any nationality. It implies that other nations need Bush's validation to feel better about themselves. Also, "the French" (all of them?) are great chefs is another generalization.

[Word]

Yet it still would not have become a story.....

[dontomas]

Well said. He is meeting with a very educated person with a lot on her agenda considering the devastation of her country. Not really a time for small talk or anecedotes relating to him.

[Word]

This is Fox News like journalism at its best with a dash of being offended as in: http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008/05/28/101-being-offended/


People really need to be more subjective with comments such as these and examine the context and circumstance surrounding the whole story. Did Bush really mean that all Filipinos make great "help" in the kitchen? Or did he mean that he is reminded of the talents of Filipino Americans every time he eats a meal that has been prepared under supervision of the Head Chef Cristeta Comerford, who happens to be from the Philipines? A online Asain journal understood his meaning: http://www.asianjournal.com/?c=124&a=28638


As a culinary school graduate myself I am utterly disgusted in some of the comments on this page. It seems that some of you think that the position of Head Chef of the White House is a menial sub-servent job that commands little respect. It should be noted that Chef Cristeta is an excellent chef and an artist. Her position is not menial or sub-servent. It is one that commands great respect from anyone in the Culinary world. This positon makes her a Rock Star and the best of the best on the planet. Granted she is not on Hell's Kitchen or is screaming Bam! everynight on the Food Network, but she sure could be and I am confident she could leave the WH tomorrow and find a job anywhere commanding a large salary.

[mbh78213]

That's not the point, though. It would have been just as silly if he had said his Filipino cardiologist (oops, he would actually have to have a heart to need one) was a really nice person. What does that have to do with a foreign dignitary seeking aid after a national desaster?

[Word]

It still goes back to context and circumstance......do we know if the Pres Arroyo had just meet the head chef....did they just get finished eating? It doesnt say in the article....who knows maybe the chef had just meet Pres Arroyo 5 mins earlier. I doubt that Pres. Arroyo was at the White House for a heart check up.

Honestly, this is a non issue. Basically Bush believes that the head chef has talent. I thank it is demeaning to her as a person to mock her position as a White House Chef as a subservent menial position.

Things like this are as dumb as believing that Obama is a Muslim Anti Christ.

[CtJean]

I think you are all missing the point. This has nothing to do with food or chefs, it's merely showing our prez as the stupid moron that he is. A head of state visits for a formal talk and all he can say is that the food in the white house is good?

He has no other frame of knowledge on which he can draw? TOTAL EMBARASSMENT!

Oh, Please - Obama 08

[Word]

Sorry but Chefs are crazy. We take food seriously. And honestly Bush would have been wise to mention Chef Cristeta's name when he made the comment. I can see how the comment might confuse some poeple. But, there is no exuse for some to believe that the head chef at the WH is a menial position.

I am sorry that people take my feelings the wrong way.

And yes George Bush is an idiot. I just think with proper examination that in this instance his comments where directed towards one particular person and really a compliment instead of an insult. But hey see it how you need to see.

[Geauterre]

Can George Bush make any more vacuous statements than he has already? No. The reason for it, though, is understandable. A large portion of his brain - the thinking part - is missing. Perhaps if his script writers used cartoons?

[findingavoice]

Loved your comment doctorwang. Thanks for the early-moring chuck.le.

[NotWaldo]

The eyes are open, the mouth moves but mister brain has long since departed !

[knighthowl]

Since Bush was so enamored of testing with his "No Child Left Behind" program, perhaps he would be the first to suggest that Presidential candidates take an IQ test. No doubt his candidacy would have been doomed if there had been such a requirement back in 2000, but he is home safe now. How about it, George? Here is a suggestion that would give you a real legacy: the George Bush test of competence.

Just to set a standard, why don't you step right up and see whether you can break 90?

[doctorwang]

PRESIDENT BUSH: Madam President, it is a pleasure to welcome you back to the Oval Office. First, I want to tell you how much I appreciate you and the Philippine people for inventing Manila ice cream. It's my favorite. I like it in a cone with sprinkles. Heh.

What a moron.

[RichDavid]

Bush is truly one of the stupidest people that has ever been in government. The things he says are not of someone in their right mind. God help the US.....Pray he and Cheney and their ilk go back into the slime from where they came.

[RoseMerry]

Without a doubt. But still, I have a personal problem with the Phillipines. Finally, after many, many years, I get a sustainable job, one I am good at and although I only make half of what once did, I can live on it. But noooooo. It has been exported to the Phillipines. Someone making half of our minimum wage (or less) is doing it now.

We are doomed.

[rafaelc378]

Would it be the Philippines, or the US Govt policies that allow such job flight that you would have a problem with.

I'm sure there a lot of Filipinos who would rather be jobless & living the US (with the opportunities that entails) that have a low paying job & living in the Philippines.

Fact: Physicians who have been practicing for years are getting training as nurses so that they can get to the US & earn more as nurses.

[collprof]

Oceanside, California wants to rename their sewage processing plant after Bush.

The George W. Bush Sewage Processing Plant.

Fitting tribute to a man who has fostered garbage upon the American people for the last 8 years.

[RichDavid]

That's San Francisco sewage treatment plant....Is their more than one?

[pinkyboo]

Nah even that's too classy - how about we name him after the sh*t pile my dog leaves in the back yard.

[Daly]

It seems he has these crazy moments around women in power - remember the massage for Merkel and now this. I'd bet one of the men would deck him.

[texastornado]

He lacks the balls to insult a real man up close and in person. When it comes to women he pictures them in the kitchen.

[dora rice]

maybe some women should try the kitchen instead of feeding their kids McDonalds. You tbe surprised how interesting the kitchen can be.

[dsbsh]

The worst part is that he sincerely believes he was giving a compliment.

[despike]

Lieutenant General Edward Soriano (born November 1946) was the highest-ranking Filipino American in the United States Army until his retirement in 2004. Born in Pangasinan to Ilocos Sur natives, he holds a master's degree from the University of Missouri.

He graduated from San Jose State University and was commissioned through Army ROTC in 1970. His commands include Company A, 3d Battalion, 47th Infantry of the 3d Brigade of the U.S. 9th Infantry Division 1973-1975; 2nd Battalion, 41st Infantry, 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and 7th Infantry Division at Fort Carson. His final assignment was as Commanding General of I Corps and Fort Lewis, Washington from August 2002 to November 2004.

Somebody, someone should send this to him for future reference.

[rafaelc378]

Not to mention:

Maj Gen. Antontio Taguba, US Army (ret)
RDML Eleanor Mariano, MD, US Navy (ret); former CO of the White House Medical Unit & personal physician to President Clinton and W. Bush.

[kawika]

Not to mention:
Governor Benjamin Caytano of Hawaii

[Cynth]

But can he cook? :-)

[Graywolf48]

I wonder when he meets with the Chinese if he mentions how proud he is of being President of so many Chinese Americans who do such a great job with his laundry?

[edwarvir]

I feel so sorry for Laura and the girls. Hang in there Laura his term is
almost over then he can ride into the sunset.