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An unexpected caller

Email|Link|Comments (23) Posted by Foon Rhee, deputy national political editor January 29, 2008 04:11 PM

By Susan Milligan, Globe Staff

WASHINGTON -- It's a time-worn president's trick: walk up to a congressman chatting on the phone and send your regards to the astonished person on the other end of the line, charming the listener with your regular-guy credentials.

That's what President Bush did Monday night at the State of the Union address, when he approached Newton Democrat Barney Frank, who was talking on his cell phone in the House Speaker's lobby before Bush's speech.

What Bush didn't know was that the congressman was talking to his boyfriend.

"Tell him I said, 'Hello,' '' Bush said to Frank, leaning in to pat the congressman's shoulder. As Bush continued into the House chamber, Frank told his skeptical boyfriend that it had been the conservative Republican president sending his good wishes. Frank's boyfriend didn't believe him, so the Massachusetts lawmaker put one of the sergeants-at-arms on the phone to back up his story.

After the speech, Frank said, he felt he had to tell Bush what he had done. After all, the president opposes gay marriage, and gay rights groups do not see the president as an ally.

Frank sought out the president, who put his hand on the back of the congressman's head to hear him more clearly in the noisy, crowded room.

"Mr. President, by the way, the person I was talking to when you said to say hello was my boyfriend,'' Frank said he told the commander-in-chief.

"Well. I hope you said how open-minded I am,'' Frank said the president replied.

"I considered telling [the president] I wouldn't marry him,'' Frank said, "but then I thought, 'Nah.' ''

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Nothing funny in this story........Bush is a war criminal.

Posted by jack jett January 29, 08 06:15 PM

Only the Boston Globe would assume that President Bush did something groundbreaking by saying "hello" to a man's boyfriend.

Posted by Brian F. January 29, 08 09:25 PM

Bush's poll ratings are so low, he'll attempt to do anything to be perceived as human. Remember, this is the first primate president.

Posted by jeff in Ohio January 29, 08 09:37 PM

On this particular event/incident I say WHO GIVES A TOSS! Totally irrelevant to the failures of 7 years of conservative rule.

Posted by Neocon January 29, 08 09:45 PM

Say what you want about Bush, the guy has a sense of humor.

Posted by Joe January 29, 08 10:47 PM

No matter what your belief--gay or not--wouldn't it still make sense to send your regards to someone if you are interrupting their phone conversation?

And just because that man on the line is gay, doesn't mean that he can't say hello. i mean, the president DID say hello to Congressman Frank, who is gay, didn't he?

This is quite the irrelevant attempted slam. Shame on you for thinking of this as 'News.'

Posted by Madison F. January 30, 08 01:08 AM

At least during the State of the Union Bush didn't directly go after the LGBT community. I never thought Bush was totally against us but his people certainly are. Barney Frank should check out our trailer on gay marriage. Produced to educate & defuse the controversy it has a way of opening closed minds like the GOP & provides some sanity on the issue: www.OUTTAKEonline.com

Posted by Charlotte January 30, 08 10:37 AM

Frank's got a great sense of humor, looks like.

Posted by Ryan January 30, 08 11:30 AM

Gotta love Barney Frank!

Posted by Sciguy January 30, 08 01:17 PM

Funny story! I saw it on TV! :)

Posted by Brian Garrison January 31, 08 09:25 AM

Shame on them for thinking it's news???

When a man who has worked hard against my rights and those of Congressman Frank and of every other gay person in America turns around and not only expresses gay acceptance, but brags it up...well, that is news.

So we are left to assume that either:
A. He was not being truthful here
B. He was not being truthful in fighting against equal rights. (I.e., it was just a political stunt.)
C. He's had a major reversal of position.

Posted by PSUdain January 31, 08 10:44 AM

To "Jeff", comment #3:
Please don't insult the Primate population. We do not enjoy being compared to that creature you homo sapiens have dressed up as your president. Pick on some other group to compare him to--say, "rodents" or something. :-)

Posted by Cheetah Bonobo February 1, 08 03:27 PM

Open-mInded -- ?? bigoted! are now synonymous words ? I know his puppet master Cheney told him to say that. -- and just think Romney wants to be president! *sigh* another Cheney Puppet! *sigh*

Posted by BeachbumOnSTX February 1, 08 05:30 PM

Open-mInded -- ?? bigoted! are now synonymous words ? I know his puppet master Cheney told him to say that. -- and just think Romney wants to be president! *sigh* another Cheney Puppet! *sigh*

Posted by BeachbumOnSTX February 1, 08 07:45 PM

I am sitting reading this story wondering why this was even published.

I saw this bumper sticker again and I think it is so true - will someone please give Bush a blowjob!

Posted by Ramble Redhead February 1, 08 09:47 PM

Ya know if Bush would have patted Franks butt, now that would have been news!!

Posted by Dominick J. DiNoto February 2, 08 02:05 AM

This is further evidence that George Bush is not responsible for his own administrations agenda. It is set by Cheney, Pat Robertson, Fred Phelps and other maniacs. 353 Days until he is out of office. I can't wait ! ! !

Posted by Jake I Shreveport, LA February 2, 08 05:18 PM

Yes, it's shocking. Bush will talk to grown men who are actively (day and night) trying to start babies in each other's lower intestines.

Posted by Brian unc2003 Jones September 25, 08 02:12 PM

It goes to show what a wonderful guy our president is. It also shows, by the comments of the idiots here, that they can't see what a fool Obama is.

Please don't vote him in!

Posted by Joe Blocker October 3, 08 12:20 AM

frank is lucky he still has a job for now and is even allowed to be anywhere near the president, the crook. when the FBI is finished investigating a lot of heads are going to roll.

Posted by jay October 27, 08 01:39 PM

You people need to get your head out of CNN long enough to learn some news. The Bush Bashing should be over. Sooner or later the Demoncrats are going to have to own up to what they have done the last two years. In 2006 after six years in office, Bush had the stock market at the highest it has been in American History, unemployment lower than in decades, America not attacked since 9/11 and then the Demoncrats said, "We will give you change". Now, after only two years in control, the market crashed, unemployment is headed for at least double digits and our new President who can't say hello without a teleprompter has spent more money in 60 days than we have in the history of the country. The result of the WMD's in Iraq were shipped to Canada last year in the form of 550 metric tons of uranium. Look it up! Get over it already!

Posted by Bill Bratton March 19, 09 12:31 AM

great read I was born in boston I hope the people in his districk enjoy him and have him for dinner

Posted by sheldon willis March 19, 09 04:20 PM

Hello, The President is not Mr. Bush. The problem is now with our president & how deep he is in the economic coverup with Mr. Franks. And Mr. Franks is not the majority opinion about money or sexual proclivity. We need a whole new adminstration and keep that nasty old traditional Constitution which has served us so well until the last decade when every radical person wants his or her rights but few will live out their responsibility to have a United States in many ways.

Posted by rob March 28, 09 11:44 AM

(only click once)

This blogger might want to review your comment before posting it.

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