Talk about image

Via Chema I find this hilarious photo from Reuters, published at Yahoo! News Photo. Apparently, while at a meeting during the summit and 60th General Assembly of the United Nations, Bush writes this note to Condoleeza Rice, and some photographer catches him red-handed. The note says “I think I may need a bathroom break. Is this possible?”. Chalk one for tele objectives.

Leaving the funny aspect aside, I propose we look a bit into the implications of this.

First of all, it is interesting that Bush finds it necessary to ask Ms Rice for permission to take a bathroom break.

Second, wasn’t he taught to hold it at kindergarten? Or is it that he has some prostate problems we don’t know about? And if so, what does it mean if the President of the USA has prostate problems? How does it affect the rest of us?

Third, does this happen routinely? And if so, how many important bits of meetings has Bush missed while he was worrying about his exploding bladder?

Fourth, what kind of image does this project? Not a very good one, I think. If the recent discussion on the Life of a Consultant weblog about the importance of a consultant’s image concluded that projecting a professional image is as important (or more) as being a good professional, clearly image is something that Bush should pay a bit more attention to. From this picture I get the impression of an immature person that is unable to focus on a meeting because at the moment he is more concerned with his bowel movements, and as a bonus, he needs to ask for help to resolve the situation. Clearly not the image the President of the USA should have.