The Only Standing Room?

(AP)

If you think the relationship between the US press corps and President Bush is strained, have a look at the situation in Canada, where, as we've documented here and here, Prime Minister Stephen Harper has been actively feuding with the press corps. (Newsbusters says he "has been waging a one-man battle against Canada's newspapers.") And if today is any indication, the situation isn't exactly improving. Consider the very first thing Harper said during his press availibility with Bush this morning at the White House:

PRESIDENT BUSH: Mr. Prime Minister, the floor is yours. I'm proud you're here, and thanks for coming.
PRIME MINISTER HARPER: Well, thank you very much, Mr. President, for the invitation and for the kind words. And thank you for doing something I never thought I'd see, which is have the Canadian media stand when I entered the room.

Later on, a reporter asked if Bush liked the belt buckle Harper had given Bush as a birthday gift. Bush hadn't yet seen or heard about the gift yet – which meant that the reporter essentially ruined the surprise. As if Harper needed another reason to hate the media.

Brian Montopoli

Brian Montopoli is the national reporter and political analyst for CBSNews.com.

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