Were you made to suffer as I was:

ELAINE QUIJANO, CNN WHITE HOUSE CORRESPONDENT: The economy, absolutely. And we didn’t really hear anything new on that front. But of course, anything the president says is going to be intertwined with the current campaign season. Of course, the general election just months away.

Mindful of that, the president today pushed back a notion that the economy is in or headed towards a recession. The president used the word slowdown in describing the economic picture here in the United States. And he touted the $150 billion economic stimulus package as an example really that the politicians here in Washington, the leadership here in Washington, is, in fact, taking steps to try to address their concerns.

Now, at the same time, foreign policy entered into the picture here as well. The president being asked about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom members of the administration criticized for crackdowns on democracy. Now, at the same time, the president understanding that the United States and Russia have not always seen eye to eye defended that relationship with Vladimir Putin. Let’s take a listen.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

PRES. GEORGE W. BUSH, UNITED STATES: As you know Putin’s a straightforward, pretty touchy character when it comes to his interests. Well, so am I. And you know we’ve had some head butts. Diplomatic head butts.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

QUIJANO: Diplomatic head butts. What’s interesting to note, though, the president walked a very fine line, asked essentially about an issue out on the campaign trail and that is how, in fact, foreign leaders should be dealt with, foreign leaders who are not necessarily on the same page when it comes to the U.S.

Interesting because the president very passionately said, look, you shouldn’t sit down with dictators, he talked about Raul Castro, Fidel Castro’s brother. You shouldn’t necessarily have your picture taken with them because that will elevate them in stature. And yet the president today didn’t hear it but the president today also maintained that when it comes to Russia and specifically Russian President Vladimir Putin, he thinks it’s very important to maintain a personal relationship even though leaders don’t always see eye to eye. It was interesting to see that fine line he was walking today.

COLLINS: Yeah, a very fine line indeed. All right, CNN’s White House correspondent Elaine Quijano. Thanks, Elaine.

Sometimes I can’t believe my fucking ears. 10,000 Kafka’s are dancing on the head of a pin…

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