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May 23, 2009
Rolling Thunder Not Expecting Obama Greeting
Rolling Thunder not expecting Obama greeting
The last time Rolling Thunder roared into Washington, the president welcomed the riders in the White House driveway with a smile on his face and heartfelt personal greeting. This year, maybe not.
"We initially got a call this year saying the president wasn't going to greet us," said Artie Muller, founder of the group that is marking its 22nd annual patriotic motorcycle ride through Washington to draw attention to policy issues influencing veterans, active-duty military, prisoners of war and those still missing in action.
But a second call in recent days revealed that the White House would do something.
"We expect it will be a member of the staff, not a meeting with President Obama. We really won't know until sometime on Friday afternoon. But this is a step in the right direction," said #Nancy Regg, a spokeswoman for the group, which has 88 chapters across the country and expects to draw as many as a half-million bikers for a "Freedom Ride" on Sunday from the Pentagon to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
An administration official confirmed Thursday that a group of Rolling Thunder members were expected at the White House on Friday, but was unsure with whom they would meet.
The official said the bikers would meet separately with Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki.
Rolling Thunder, meanwhile, is still on a mission. Whether Mr. Obama greets them or not, the organization has information to share.
"We've got a letter to pass on to the president about our issues and concerns. But we won't really know until Artie gets there," Ms. Regg said.
President George W. Bush, on the other hand, was very comfortable in the biker realm, as he was around pickup trucks and NASCAR. He was the first and only president to formally greet Rolling Thunder members, Ms. Regg said.
President Bush Meets With Rolling Thunder 5-25-2008
In 2008, Mr. Bush was made an honorary member of the group, accepted a cowhide biker's vest and posed for multiple photos. He also met with the group in the Oval Office.
"And I am just so honored to welcome you back. I want to thank you and all your comrades for being so patriotic and loving our country as much as you do. I don't know if this is the eighth time we've been together here, but it's pretty close.," Mr. Bush told the group, which included Mr. Muller.
"You've done a lot for the country, and the troops appreciate you, and the veterans appreciate you and your president appreciates you," Mr. Bush added.
Several Bush administration members rode with the group over the years, including Transportation Secretary Mary E. Peters, Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer, top economic adviser Edward Lazear and Chief of Staff Joshua B. Bolten.
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Wild Thing's comment........
This is not Swivel Heads’ type of crowd!!!!
"But a second call in recent days revealed that the White House would do something. "
Sure. A cardboard cutout of The First Thug which of course will have much more personality then the original..
The last time they came into town, we had a president. This year there is no president, but only an imposter in chief.
Obama is reminded of everything he is not. First on the list is they are Americans.
And we must not forget these are a bunch of Veterans that are on the DHS Terrorist list.
This is a two way kind of feeling.
1. I can't stand this creep Obama, so I would prefer he is not around any of our Veterans or our troops today. He is so far beneath them he would have to dig his way up from under the earth thousands of feet to even be able to see the bottom of our Veterans shoes.
2. I guess if it was a MUSLIM Saudi then Obama could show up in person to thank Rolling Thunder and appreciate all they have done and do. He could have another chance to bow again and he would like that.
BUT since this a group of macho, American Heroes that continue the fight for our POW-MIA's and oh dear just might have taken out a communist in the Vietnam war.... a communist like Obama he just can't show up to meet these men, these American Heroes in person. The roar of the bikes might hurt his ear drums, and so many Flags, so much patriotism would just be too much for HUSSEIN Obama to handle.
.
Obama, Rolling Thunder meet privately
Washington Times
At 3:30 p.m. Friday, President Obama met privately with representatives of the group famous for its support of active-duty military, veterans and prisoners of war not to mention its distinctive blend of patriotism that includes Old Glory and motorcycles.
The moment was totally unexpected.
"The president stopped by while members of Rolling Thunder were meeting with administration officials about veterans' issues," said White House spokesman Nick Shapiro.
"He was very happy to meet with them," he added.
The group included Rolling Thunder founder Artie Muller, national vice president Lynne Jenks and national president Gary Scheffmeyer.
The situation has been somewhat of a cliffhanger.
Things did not seem quite so friendly with the new administration, however. The culture of the White House appeared to have changed.
Last week, Mr. Muller told The Washington Times that he received word from the White House that Mr. Obama would not follow suit.
"They said he was too busy," Mr. Muller said at the time.
But the situation began to evolve. Mr. Muller a Vietnam-era Army veteran and Harley rider learned a few days later that "someone" from the White House would at least be there to accept a letter from Rolling Thunder that outlined the group's concerns about veterans, soldiers and POWs.
Who was this "someone?" An official? A Cabinet member? Bo, the White House pooch? No one knew.
In the end, it was the president. Mr. Obama came through at the close of a busy week .
The meeting was brief but cordial.
"We're here for the veterans, for our military, for America. And we want them to know we will never forget them," said Rolling Thunder spokeswoman Nancy Regg.
As for Mr. Obama, he'll get a rest with the wife and children at Camp David this weekend.
Posted by Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 07:55 AM
Comments
Rolling Thunder has issues of concerns to Veterans. Obama had to think it over before he would meet with Veterans and Heroes from the Vietnam war.
Obama had to check out what it would do for his PR. obama had to ask what he leftist friends would think ?
So Obama made a showing for the press. Big Friggin deal.
Posted by: Mark at May 23, 2009 08:46 AM
Maybe bush "butchered" the English language and stumbled when he spoke but at least he could talk to American Citizens without a teleprompter. What Bush said here came from his heart. The heart of a fellow American who has worn the uniform of this nations military.
I'm sorry but Obama only showed up to get face time. He doesn't want millions of Vets to think he's snubbing them. If he truly wanted to meet with them, he would have made it known from the start, not by some surprise grand entrance.
Posted by: BobF at May 23, 2009 09:38 AM
I think he was scared to meet with the rough men who might raise their voices at him. But Michelle ordered him to at least meet with them so as not to look like the complete tool that he is. BTW was he using a teleprompter when he spoke?
Posted by: MrHappy at May 23, 2009 11:12 AM
Obama doesn't see anyone withhout doing a PR research. I notice he is not hanging around DC for the Memorial Day ceremonies. I guess Biden the draft dodger will do the wrath laying at The Tomb of the Unknown.
These turds, Obama and Biden, need to be flushed.
Posted by: TomR at May 23, 2009 01:17 PM
Thanks Tom, Before I lapse into the vernacular, yes Turds!!!
That dipshit botox bag from California is being sent to China to bypass her lying dilemma with the CIA. Biden the betrayer has been to Kosovo and Lebanon to strengthen Muzzie ties for Obama, the spineless puke Obama won't even honor real Americans by their acknowledgment in public. This was a backhanded snub.
Respect is reciprocal Asshole!!! My undying respect shows for you Hussein, put on your yellow tights, grab your teleprompter, polish your camel toe and dance cheek to cheek with your man Rahm Emanuel.
Posted by: Jack at May 23, 2009 03:57 PM
Mark,exactly!!!!!
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 11:33 PM
BobF., that is so true. What a difference
and Rolling Thunder sure as heck won't
forget all of this either.
Your so right about Obama making it a
surprise grand entrance. Sickening, all
about him.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 11:36 PM
MrHappy, LOL I don't know, but good
point about the teleprompter. hahaha
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 11:38 PM
Tom, I was wondering about that, about
the Wreath. I heard later tonight that
Obama said he would do it. Weird how
we even have to wonder, that sure
speaks volumes about how we know how he
feels about anything to do with our
military. With Bush, and Reagan we never
even wondereed about it.
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 11:43 PM
Jack, LOL that was great!
Posted by: Wild Thing at May 23, 2009 11:45 PM
