It’s official now: Peoria is sick of Bush
Via MSNBC:
But on Tuesday, the surprise was on Bush. In town to deliver remarks on the economy, the president walked into the diner, where he was greeted with what can only be described as a sedate reception. No one rushed to shake his hand. There were no audible gasps or yelps of excitement that usually accompany visits like this. Last summer, a woman nearly fainted when Bush made an unscheduled visit for some donut holes at the legendary Lou Mitchell’s Restaurant in Chicago. In
Peoria this week, many patrons found their pancakes more interesting. Except for the click of news cameras and the clang of a dish from the kitchen, the quiet was deafening.“Sorry to interrupt you,†Bush said to a group of women, who were sitting in a booth with their young kids. “How’s the service?†As Bush signed a few autographs and shook hands, a man sitting at the counter lit a cigarette and asked for more coffee. Another woman, eyeing
Bush and his entourage, sighed heavily and went back to her paper. She was reading the obituaries. “Sorry to interrupt your breakfast,†a White House aide told her. “No problem,†she huffed, in a not-so-friendly way. “Life goes on, I guess.â€
Gee. I guess Peoria is the bellwether of the Midwest.
When I listen to WMBD and certain commenters on this blog, I would have got the impression that everyone was either in love with the guy or were thrilled he was here.
Billy Dennis is a former reporter and editor at small daily and weekly newspapers in Illinois and Missouri. He comments on media, news and politics. He also owns and operates 
A MSM outlet spins it negative? Naw!
“No one rushed to shake his hand.”
The dude is surrounded by men with machine guns tucked into their jackets. I wouldn’t have ‘rushed’ him, either.
Also, they had advanced notice he was coming. Mrs. Mouse could probably give you some insight regarding how the advanced team works as she has spent some time with them.
I had fun with some people I told about how some of the SS guys carry “fag bags”.
I wonder what they could possibly keep in them. Maybe some sunscreen and chapstick?
Billy,
To quote MSNBC is like quoting “moveon.org” hardly a bias news outlet. C’mon, you knew exactly what you were writing. I guess you missed the hundreds of vehicles parked off of Airport road, and people waiving as his motorcade drove by? I was there, Keith Oberman wasn’t.
All hail Caeser!
Bill Clinton would have been mobbed!
Bill Clinton would have been mobbed only if the girls school let out early…
hmmm… on AM1470 yesterday, LaHood said that the Prez was impressed by the receiption that he got from Peorians – especially those braving the cold weather to wave flags on the motorcade route.
Don’t forget Chucky Cheese also braved the cold to waive.
That must have been an un-”fur”-gettable sight for Bush.
Ahem.
Though I’m pretty sure that if President Bush walked up to me, a confirmed Democrat, and asked me how my breakfast was, I’d probably be gracious that the leader of the free world (for better or worse) took a second to talk to me.
But, how funny of a story this was!!
And here I thought it was neat that he would visit us. But I would have at least picked a better restaurant than Sterling Family…Perkins, Denny’s have better food! But I guess thats just imo. Aside from that it was still neat. Oh well..
Absolutely. Sterling “Family” Rest. is a smoke-filled pit. It was a terrible choice to make. No wonder the Pres only took a few bites of his toast.
I saw him at Sterling (in 5 degree temps!) and was amazed at how many people stood outside for over 45 minutes waiting for a glimpse of the motorcade! NO ONE was protesting, period. They were excited. They all showed RESPECT, which is what was due to him as president of the most important power in the free world.
I couldn’t stand Clinton after his “errors”, but I would have done the same if he came to Peoria during that time.
Sterling Family Restaurant is a locally-owned restaurant. They didn’t go to Denny’s or Perkins because they’re chain restaurants. Bush wanted to see entrepreneurship in Peoria.
Someone else that i know said that to me as well but I was like “still..there are better choices for local owne rest.” oh well if thats his choice, that was his choice.
Someone else that i know said that to me as well but I was like “still..there are better choices for local owned rest.” oh well if thats his choice, that was his choice.
I heard that the owner is a relative of Ray LaHood’s. Does anyone know if this is true?
Dude, where’s your car!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Honestly, the only rational choice would have been to go to Apple’s bakery-The Pres. met with Mrs. Ardapple anyway…if he was sincerely interested in entre. owned businesses. Apple’s is truly the model that many look to emulate in Peoria-its smoke-free by choice, extremely clean, and a good well-mannered place with alot of variety. I have frequented Sterling Family restaurant on numerous occasions, however, I believe that was a poor choice to take a sitting Pres.-I read an article earlier regarding the smokers at the bar, and the secret service felt the need to apologize as much as to bother them. Its a huge misjudgement in my view. It just seems that when the Pres. thinks of Peoria, he will have a constant reminder of why he doesn’t come here. We showed him the “old” us, not the rejuvinated new booming business arena that he came to talk about. Just an opinion, but, hey…you get four hours of a lifetime with a situation like this, have to make them count.
How ironic…..the prez visits the home of peoria’s bookeys.
Looked like the Sterling restaurant owner was the only one “happy” to see Bush in the footage I saw. There were just as many protesting the presence of President Choad as were spotted “waving flags”.
Let’s face it, this guy wouldn’t get a warm reception unless he visits his pop; and deservedly so.
Before someone starts calling me names, the “fag” stands for Fast Action Gun”.
Cat officials must be very happy the Prez made his visit – the shareholders have enjoyed a $2.5 billion boost in the Company’s market value this week.
Maybe it wasn’t that people at Sterling Family Restaurant were not happy to see the President…maybe it was they were not happy to see the entourage that came with him….or maybe, just maybe, it was a sign of respect. How many people would actually jump up and run towards the President? Maybe, just maybe, Peorians actually have manners and listened when their parents said don’t speak unless your spoken too. I’ve had Presidential encounters with three Presidents (Reagan, Bush, Clinton) and all three times, I kept my distance and waited until they spoke to me. Just being in the presence of the President in awe inspiring and if these people were truly surprised by G.W. walking in the door, I think their reaction was 100% natural.
I’ve done pool camera for Presidential visits before and my guess is the people in the restaurant were put off by the photographers. When your assigned to follow the President, you don’t care about anything or anyone other than him and who he’s talking to. That’s your job and you don’t care who you inconveince to do it. From the video I saw, Sterling Family Restaurant was swamped with photographers, White House press office staff, and Secret Service. Sound guys were lined up behind the bar holding their booms over people who were sitting at the counter eating. PHotographers were pushing patrons out of the way to get a better shot. Maybe the people that the national writers assumed were annoyed had just been wacked upside the head with an Anton Bauer or pushed out of the way.
From the promos I’m seeing on WMBD, it looks like longtime photog Tom Parker was the pool…..Tom’s not a very tall guy, so he probably had a helluva time pushing his way around.
I was out and about that day as well freelancing for a network. Whoever said there were just as many protestors as flag wavers needs to get their eyes checks. Where I was, flag wavers outnumbered protestors 5-to-1.
This is just the liberal media trying to find something bad to report. The Presidents visit was great for Cat, great for Peoria, and I thought our local media did a great job of covering it. Had I been a news director, I wouldn’t have given the hippies any air time at all…at least they got their say.
I must be sure to put Sterling Family Restaurant on my list to visit. There has to be a pony under all this horse crap. You really can fool most of the people most of the time. Can’t you?
As long as there are fools on this planet, man…….