This memento from the 2000 campaign trail comes to us via our favorite D.C. gossip-monger, Wonkette:
OTTAWA (AP) Stung by a pop quiz about foreign leaders earlier in his campaign, U.S. Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush has fallen victim to a foreign affairs prank.Canadians are chuckling over his on-air answer when a comic posing as a reporter made up a story that Canadian Prime Minister "Jean Poutine"; had endorsed him.
"I appreciate his strong statement[,] he understands I believe in free trade," Bush replied. "He understands I want to make sure our relations with our most important neighbour to the north of us, the Canadians, is strong and we'll work closely together."
Canada's prime minister is Jean Chretien, not Poutine, and he has endorsed no one in U.S. politics. Poutine is a popular food in the French-speaking province of Quebec, consisting of french fries, gravy and cheese curd.*
[…]
The real prime minister's office took the episode in stride, offering this response: "Clearly, Canada is not in the Bush leagues."
*Side note from Rhonda: I once made the mistake of ordering poutine at a Burger King in Vancouver (it came in a bucket, and this American girl couldn’t resist the urge to supersize). With all due respect to our Canadian friends, I must report that it was quite vile.
As a Canadian who grew up in a largely French-speaking part of the country, I have to say that poutine is actually really really good.
I can't say that what you got in Vancouver (definitely NOT one of the areas known for its French-Canadian culture) was even close to what we get in eastern Ontario and Quebec when we order poutine.
Posted by: Ben Gruagach on March 18, 2004 10:56 AMPoint taken. Besides, the Burger King version is probably not the best way to sample any national/regional cuisine. Clearly, Jane and I must head east in search of authentic poutine. On another note: I dearly miss departed PM Jean Chretien. Whenever I heard his name on NPR I would yell out "JEAN CHRETIEN" in my fabulous French accent. (These are the kinds of things American politicos must do for fun now that we live in these Bush-whacked times.)
Posted by: Rhonda on March 18, 2004 03:03 PMHey, you just got blogrolled, was it good for you?
Posted by: Dave on March 18, 2004 03:46 PMWhy does this not surprise me? Bush is an embarassment to any half-way educated, self-respecting American.
While passing through Canada on a trip from Fairbanks, AK to Kansas, I had the pleasure of sampling that lovely dish that consist of gravy and french fries. It was delish!
By the way, you are about to be blogrolled again!!!
