April 7, 2017

My 7 favorite phrases from the Politico article "Trump offers Xi steak, not a Big Mac, at Mar-a-Lago."

Here's the article, by Annie Karni, about Trump's encounter yesterday with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Here's my list.

7. "... something in between an official East Room black tie gala and a stop for Big Macs on the side of the road."

6. "Trump’s known favorites, dry-aged steak and whipped potatoes."

5. "golf... (frowned on by the Chinese Communist Party as a rich man's sport)."

4. "The first lady appeared to be enjoying a glass of red wine, while the Chinese first lady, Peng Liyuan, sipped tea."

3. Sen. John McCain said... “an ideal setting for real serious negotiations has been Camp David”...

2. "The choice of venue lent him the gilded, salmon-colored backdrop of his private resort to satisfy a world leader who places a high value on ceremony."

1. "We had a long discussion already and so far I have gotten nothing, absolutely nothing." 

23 comments:

Darrell said...

Please tell me what McCain thinks. The guy that bought a phony dossier from a dodgy Brit and sent a staffer to pick it up--most likely at taxpayer's expense.

rhhardin said...

Xi needs a show of being taken seriously for consumption back home.

mccullough said...

Mar a Lago has better weather than Camp David.

rhhardin said...

Chow mein is always good. We got it a lot in high school.

Darrell said...

Politico articles are a lot like Chuck comments.

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

rhhardin said...
Chow mein is always good. We got it a lot in high school.

4/7/17, 10:14 AM

Yeah, he should have served La Choy with Rice-A-Roni, which I swear my mom served at least once a week.* With fortune cookies.

*She thought it was "exotic."

exiledonmainstreet, green-eyed devil said...

Did Xi put soy sauce on his steak?

Laslo Spatula said...

President Xi Jinping's Statement after Mar-a-Lago...

I rearry rike the whipped patoto.

I am Laslo.

AllenS said...

Someone no likey chinamen.

oopsy daisy said...

Xi needs a show of being taken seriously for consumption back home

This!

The Chinese are quite serious about form, rituals, appearance and "face". They have been master diplomats and deal makers for thousands of years. They put Machiavelli to shame.

Unlike the childlike, naive, narcissistic Obama, Trump knows how to play the game and dance the dance. The Chinese respect this and even if they don't say so, admire someone who can get into the rhythm of the game. The best deals are those where both parties can "save face" and claim to have won some of their points.

The previous Obama State Department drones who are complaining about Trump, didn't do a very good job of understanding the Chinese, or any other cultures for that matter. They are (mostly) young children who don't understand anything outside of their insular little ivy league bubbles.

Trump, giving respect and honor to Xi is a good move. It boosts Xi's prestige at home. Trump did it without bowing, scraping,humiliating himself and the United States as Obama has done. It also didn't hurt that there was some 'saber rattling' going on at the same time.


Dust Bunny Queen said...

Dang....oopsy daisy is me when I stupidly forget to log out of the company email.

Sorry.

Amadeus 48 said...

This NYT hack cites Phillipe Reines as a source? Seriously? The guy who organized the Hillary "reset" press conference? Hillary's former press secretary? And the writer doesn't mention those things as Reines craps on Trump for meeting at Mar-a-lago? Honestly, Althouse, the NYT is worse that Pravda.

Dude1394 said...

John McCain--- embarrassment.

Amadeus 48 said...

"John McCain-embarrassment"


Yeah. Why did I I vote for the SOB for president in 2008? ...Oh...

McCain does what he has done since the Reagan administration: punches his friends in the nose and gives comfort to the opposition.

MayBee said...

This is how bad Jake Tapper has gotten:

Ivanka Trump‏V:
The times we are living in call for difficult decisions - Proud of my father for refusing to accept these horrendous crimes against humanityIvanka Trump added,


Jake Tapper:
How do you feel about his proposed ban on Syrian refugees from entering the US? Do you see any disconnect there at all? Thanks

Cate Long‏:
hey Mr. Tapper. There is a clear dividing line between news reporter and internet troll. And you just crossed.

(I will concede Cate Long's reply was not great, but Tapper chose to reply:)

Jake Tapper‏:
No, it's a sincere question to a senior WH adviser on Twitter. I'd love to ask her in an interview of course.


Cate Long‏:
and it's been stated multiple times that there is no method to vet Syrians since intracountry systems are under Assad's control.
(this is a fair answer from her)

Jake Tapper‏:
Not sure why your concern is more for one of the most powerful people in the world than for the most vulnerable but have a great weekend.

What kind of answer is that from him? How far Jake has fallen. The old Jake would have noted that we do not have a great way to vet Syrian refugees, and it makes for a complicated issue. Instead, Jake just snipes.

mccullough said...

Xi must be confounded. Trump and Obama share one common interest: golf. Xi needs to reassess his view of the game.

Dave said...

When, when is McStain going to shut up and stop showing the world his early Alzheimers affliction?

Roy Lofquist said...

The question is, how did Xi like his breakfast surprise?

Birches said...

Those first ladies looked fantastic.

I am genuinely interested in the difference between entertaining at Mar a Lago instead or Camp David or Kennebunkport. Partisans seem to be worked up about the security cost, but is it any different from the Bush home back in 41's term?

gg6 said...

I'm afraid I have to say I find my strongest take-away from this post to be its suggestion of self-satisfied smugness. It's a selected collation of "favorite" quotes from another source so it obviously embodies a judgement and POV by the blogger - but the blogger withholds any comment at all...why? To be coy? Titillating? Inoffensive? Safe? Boring?
Very disappointing. I'd find it more interesting to look at red rock canyons.

Bad Lieutenant said...

Gerard, how came you here? Did you follow a link?

gg6 said...

Why, are you concerned I'm an illegal alien??!! Or a dangerous non-troll?!

Lem the artificially intelligent said...

Check Ivankas tweeter time line.