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As A Child, Bush Wanted To Be Elvis

April 22, 2004 | People
Actually this news should be in the fun section, but we don't want to keep it from you.

During the 1950s when he was in the fourth grade, President George W. Bush's greatest aspiration was to be Elvis Presley, First Lady Laura Bush said Wednesday during a ceremony to honor Teacher of the Year.

However, at least one foreign leader thought recently Bush would do a better playing the role of Gary Cooper.

Laura Bush said the president's mother Barbara Bush had to rescue her son from the principal's office after he used charcoal to draw sideburns on his face and he disrupted his music class.

Laura Bush didn't say whether the future president had any musical ability at the time, but she did use the story to illustrate how teachers must foster any aspiration, no matter how far-fetched it may be.

Bush mildly scolded his wife for telling the story.

During a second appearance, Bush recounted how Japanese Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi thought the president ought to be playing the role of a cowboy.

"His (Koizumi's) favorite movie was Gary Cooper in 'High Noon.' One time he walked up to me and said, 'You like Cooper.' I said, 'I'm like Cooper?' He said, 'Yeah.' I finally figured out what he meant, you know?" Bush told a gathering of newspaper editors.
Source:Dow Jones Newswire
Jazzman wrote on April 22, 2004
For you to compare Martin Luthur King to Elvis, for him having a holiday, is the most idiotic statement that I have ever heard, I think Elvis is a GREAT and powerful figure in entertainment, but that is just DUMB!
Elvos wrote on April 22, 2004
Elvis is allready King of the whole wide world.and we know it! But an extra title for The King is always welcome. Elvis a knight? I think that's something Elvis really would have liked to be! Just l ook at some songtitles. Knight Rider, Such a knight, Knight life etc. keep 'm coming boy.uhuhuh.
dismas wrote on April 23, 2004
Elvis and Dr. King had more in common than it may seem on the surface: Obviously, they both grew up poor in the Deep South; they both saw past the color lones of the day; they both reportedly had a quick and easy sense of humor; they both were active womanizers during their heyday, and they both opened up previously locked doors for the African-Americans who followed them. Please don't forget that Elvis had a very large and supportive fan base among the black community in the early part of his career. And while he may not have knocked down the door to the mainstream for the "race music" artists who followed, he most certainly pushed it open a bit for them by embracing the spirit and soul of '50s r&b and gospel in his music, and by publicly crediting so many black artists among his major influences. God love 'em both!
Viva wrote on April 23, 2004
I'm quite surprised to hear that George dubya Bush was (is?) an Elvis fan like Bill Clinton. Do you think he has the same sexual preferences? It would explain the way he talks. I think it's good to know which big names are Elvis fans, so don't stop this type of article. Are you sure the incident with the charcoal didn't happen last week? And Jazzman, too many people under estimate the positive effect Elvis had on racial equality in the states, so I say give him a holiday- but that's another debate.
gribz wrote on April 22, 2004
What they don't say is that the Prime Ministers favorite entertainer is Elvis. Now, since we know Clinton also loves the King', how can we get this 50th anniv started.. How about a holiday; Martin Luther King has one. How about a Knighthood, Bill Gates has one. What is going on? We the fans have to rally and come up with something, soon...
gribz wrote on April 23, 2004
No Offense Jazzman, but more people go to Memphis every year for Elvis, than they do for MLK. Elvis transcends politics, religion, and culture. He changed the whole world my friend, and his impact still as not reached the point it will reach in the coming years. Trust me..
jill20scotland wrote on April 22, 2004
This just shows that Elvis touches everyone at one point in their life whether you are a fan or a non fan. theres always something whether it b a song or a movie. or even something he has said. the man is a legend and any FOOL can even see. hint hint Mr George Bush haha Every nice person has a piece of Elvis in their heart...