Fox and Bush, pictured in 2006, appeared to enjoy a warm relationship.
WASHINGTON (CNN) – The two leaders shared a border for six years, but former Mexico President Vicente Fox gives a tough assessment on President Bush in a new book out next month, according to U.S. News and World Report.
In "Revolution of Hope," set to hit book stores October 4, Fox calls Bush "the cockiest guy I have ever met in my life," and is sharply critical of the president's Iraq policy and his immigration stance, according to the magazine.
Though he describes warm relations with Bush, Fox in the book also calls the president's Spanish skills "grade-school" level and says, "I can't honestly say that I had ever seen George W. Bush getting to the White House."
In addition to Bush, Fox also sounds off on his "close but rocky relationships" with former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, Cuban leader Fidel Castro, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Venezuela President Hugo Chávez, according to the books Publisher, Penguin.
Fox served as Mexico's president from 2000-2006.
The autobiography is co-written by Robert Allyn, a Texas-based political consultant who has advised both Fox and Bush.
– CNN Ticker Producer Alexander Mooney
From CNN Politics
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So, George Bush's Spanish language skills are no better than his English language skills and he thinks he is King of America. Tell us something we don't already know, Vicente.
Isn't Fox coming to the party a little late?
And this is what someone who was on good terms with Bush says about him.
Nothing he says here though is surprising at all, sadly.
Why should Bush's spanish skills matter with regard to...well...anything? That's what translators are for. Next thing you know, since we border Canada, our Presidents will be criticized for not being able to speak excellent French...
former Mexico President Vicente Fox calls Bush 'cockiest guy I've ever met'
"Fox news" but yet truth. How ironic.
RJ, AZ : September 17, 2007 10:30 am
That's it ignore the gist of the story and make a feeble attempt at supporting your dictator guy. WAKE UP! IMPEACH!
Oh God, I apologize in advance for the comments our "beloved" former president Vicente Fox does about any important political figure. I am definitely not a partidary of Bush, but if there was somebody cocky and with "grade-school" spanish skills, that was unfortunately our President.
Fox is probably one of the most ineffective presidents my country has ever had. Along with his power-hungry wife, he paraded through the presidency as it were a medal in his curriculum. I think he has no place to criticize others, when in fact, most should be criticizing him.
Vicente Fox is a putz who never kept his word on any proposal he agreed to.
I am by no means a fan of George W. Bush and look forward to the day he leaves office. However, citing President Bush's "grade-school level" Spanish language skills as part of a broader professional critique is petulant and unnecessary (and more closely resembles a personal snipe). We know President Bush is not the best English linguist; does anybody expect his Spanish to be any better? He's not required to speak or have knowledge of any second languages, yet as governor of Texas and later POTUS, he learned and used Spanish, to an extent. Who cares if it was rudimentary or limited? He made the effort, and he shouldn't be lambasted for trying to speak another language. Why not focus on more prescient issues such as, oh, I don't know, the war, the economy, healthcare, education...
Who cares what the former President of Mexico thinks. This is a man who led a country that beleives it has a right to send all of its poor north so America can take care of them. This is a man with no sense of responsibiity and very littel pride. What President of any country would crack a smile when his people were living in poverty? Fox is a failed leader of a failed nation.
Don't worry up here in Canada we know that Bush has difficulty with language, we just automatically translate gibberish to English in our heads , even though four year olds in kindergarten can speak both French and English! Oh well, only 15 more months, hope you guys can hold on that long!
It'll sure be great when our president has the ability to build at least one solid, mutually respectful, relationship with another country's leader. This cowboy sure can't.
I think most Americans will agree with Mr Fox. Bush is indeed the worst President of my time.
Bush is "cocky," or in other words, arrogant? This is news? Anyone other than Fred Barnes could see that without this report.
And Fox was the crookiest guy.
One incompetent world leader criticizing another... what have politics become?
Coming from someone who lived under the Bush (non)governship of Texas....his(Fox) comments are a surprise? Most people who live or lived in Texas while Bush jr. was governor of Texas could have told you that...and SURPRISE!! not everyone in Texas loves W!!!
I think there's something being lost in translation.
Maybe Vicente is mistaking the word "cocky" for the spanish word "coqueto" which means flirt. So maybe he's really trying to say George is the biggest flirt he's ever met. Bush does like to rub German women's shoulders and walk hand-in-hand with Arab men and pat people's butt on stage, you know.
Ah, the pot calling the kettle black. They were made for each other.
Let's see...
Senior Fox believes that he has the right to export Mexico's poverty stricken citizens to America. When America rebukes, Fox calls it's neighbor to the north bigoted and anti-Mexican.
Now, who is the cocky one?
Yep. Sounds about right.
I don't like Bush, never did, and have criticized him, along with most of the GOP presidential candidates in this ticker. However, the U.S. President does not have to speak Spanish. That's a dumb hit.
However, the cockiness remark is something we are familiar with in Bush, no surprise there.
You'd be cocky too if your dad bought you the White House.
Wow, Bush's Spanish skills are grade school level? Well. gee, i America that should matter?
Fox didn't like Bush's immigration policies? Gee, maybe because if it were not for the illegals propping up the mexican economy by sending home billions of dollars as a result of their criminal activity by being employed as illegals his country would collapse.
Time to place the Army on the border and let's see what Fox says about Mexico having a an economy lower than Cuba.
Wow, Bush's Spanish skills are grade school level? Well. gee, i America that should matter?
Fox didn't like Bush's immigration policies? Gee, maybe because if it were not for the illegals propping up the mexican economy by sending home billions of dollars as a result of their criminal activity by being employed as illegals his country would collapse.
Bush at least made an effort to learn Spanish, unlike the poor Fox shoved across the border who refuse to speak English.
Time to place the Army on the border and let's see what Fox says about Mexico having an economy lower than Cuba.
Wait a minute – -isn't George W Bush one of THE ONLY supporters of Mexican immigration and work visas and such? In other words, isn't GW trying to get Mexicans in this country to work LEGALLY so they can actually help our economy, pay taxes like everyone else WHILE supporting their families in Mexico, so that Mexico doesn't actually fall to pieces? Don't bite the hand that feeds you, arrogant FOX!
It will be interesting to see what Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel has to say about dubya in her memoirs.
But lets face it, like him or not, he's OUR cocky, ignorant, non-spanish speaking, moronic, chancellor-groping, criminally negligent President. Not Spains, or Germany's or Texas's. Okay, maybe Texas. He ours. So Vincente, keepa your hands offa. We'll not have our glorious POTUS lambasted by furiners!
I'm not surprised that President Bush only knows "grade school" Spanish. His command of the English language is at grade school level too!
of course bush is cocky – he's been filthy rich his entire life and is absolutely disconnected with hard working Americans – is this any surprise?
He is the mouse that roared.
Did anyone else notice that this man does not mention one successful polictical relationship in the entire article. So they big picture here is not what this man thinks of Bush, but that he obviously was not a good leader period. I mean, if he was, his constituents would not be running like hades to live in the country run by a man with poor Spanish skills. Seriously people...he is whinning because he wasn't able to do anything with his poor and sad people except export them!
It is just quite possible the Bush is the "cockiest guy" Fox has ever met. I am certainly no fan of Bush and favor impeachment as far as he is concerned. However, who does Fox think he is? Perhaps if he and the current Mexican government officials concentrated on making their country one in which their citizens could earn a living and actually want to stay then America would not have the immigration problems it is facing. This man has no room to talk! From what I hear and read...corruption is the name of the game in Mexican government. I believe that Mexico should clean up its own act before condeming other countries.
Many years ago, as an American businessman resident in Mexico, I had the opportunity to meet Vicente Fox. He was an intelligent, courteous, polished and decent fellow with no obvious personality defects including a desire to enter politics. He held a real job, and was very successful at it. Bush, whom I have never met, appears to be suffering from substanced abuse or something, has limited business qualifications, and yet still had the opportunity to be a great president. He has fouled it all up with his lack of diplomacy and "cockiness". A fact which I am glad to see Fox put into words. Fox, may have been corrupt to a degree, but much he was a lot better in every respect than previous Mexican presidents. Bush. on the other hand, lowered the level of dignity, sportsmanship and worldwide respect in a very serious and unforgivable manner. As one who voted to Bush I apologize for my part in his presidency. Summary: I respect Fox and do not respect Bush. This is the first time in my 76 years that I could say that.
All these negative things coming out in book for about Bush is the very same information that has been on the blogs from day one.
This is another case of the mainstream media and the publishing biz is about
10 years behind the public.
CNN is still acting as if Britney Spears and O.J. Simpson are bigger news than the killing of innocent Iraqis by our soilders.
Mr. Fox should be saying nice things about Mr. Bush. After all, thanks to the Bush administration, Mexico is no longer the most politically crooked country in the world because the U.S. took over that honor. As to Bush's Spanish skills, all Fox is saying is that Bush's Spanish isn't very good. Some former right hand man to Bush said the same thing. They may be suggesting Bush shouldn't pretend to be fluent in a language of which he has little command. That goes for Bush's English as well.
Fox is a charismatic guy who put Mexico on the world map as far as industry with Europe. But right–he was not an effective president on domestic issues.
I think the swipes at Fox in this thread about exporting immigrants to the US are naive. Let's take into account that Americans snort up, inhale, inject and however else illegals (drugs, that is) are ingested into the human body on such a global-leading scale that it corrupts Latin American governments, honest politicians and policies. This leaves Latin American people in the margins to provide for their families "by any means necessary". And let's get real, who are the real "drug lords"?
Jack E. Jett:
U.S. troops are NOT killing innocent Iraqis. On the contrary, these brave souls are trying to bring democracy to a nation that was ruthlessly brutalized by a bloody dictator for over 3 decades.
Your comments are despicable and border on treason.
I find it interesting that so many former employees, peers, and cohorts of our 'Idiot in Chief' tell us what an incompetent bumbler he is. I also find it interesting that so many of our conservatives are still trying to peddle this failed president as anything other than the petulant, uneducated bully he is.
Who cares what Vicente Fox writes about George W. Bush. He did nothing to improve the Mexican economy and shows his clildish personality when Americans complain about the wave of economic refugees from Mexico. Rather than spending his time to critize the American president, he should have improved Mexico City's International airport, lowered taxes, fight corruption in his security & police forces and in Mexsico's bureaucracy. Mexico and the Mexican people deserve better leaders to solve problems rather than leaders like Fox seeking to deflect attention elsewhere by critizing other leaders. Fox is a failed Mexican President and hopefully some Mexican writer and publish a book about his failed presidency.
Why Should our President be fluent in "Spanish?
And it seems to me he should look in the mirror. He has taken a swipe at several major leaders and he is from a nation of poverty. Who does HE think he is???
Can't wait to buy the book.
Fox is awesome !
Go Fox ... !
Here we go again with the sacrifice of bringing Western-style democracy to an Arab country.
As to the Fox-Bush affair...This is one of those rare times when...really...I should not "butt-in" in your politics.
Thomas from FL:
You can't "bring democracy" to anyone. They have to fight for it themselves. As far as treason is concerned, until the Constitution is amended to take away the right to free speech, all political speech is fully protected, no matter how much you may disagree with the content. That's one of the many advantages of the democracy you wish to force down Iraq's throat.
Powell, Fox, Greenspan... it's nice to see that all the conservatives feel they can finally "come out of the closet" with their true feelings about this moron after they retire from public life. More retirements just mean more bad press for the most crooked President in our history, as more and more of the truth comes out.
Welcome aboard, Vinny!
Talk about a cocky SOB!!! Wasn't he the one who demanded we have water places set aside for his people passing illegally into the US? Didn't he make sure brocures were put out telling his people what to do to get into OUR country illegally?
Bush is the most misunderstood US President in recent history.
To Thomas from St. Pete,
Your self-righteous attitude is short sighted. Of course our troops are killing innocent Iraquis. As a matter of fact some of them are even fragging each other. The point is that happens in all wars whether righteous or not.
Just reasons why war should be a last resort.
As for bringing a democracy to Iraq, that's our choice not theirs.
Dubya Cocky? Bush is more like a spoiled, petulent child who needs a good old-fashioned SPANKING.
David of Encinitas, CA:
You are right; the Iraqis are not fighting to help our troops liberate Iraq. I stand corrected.
Cable King of Pittsburgh, PA:
Our troops are making every effort NOT to kill innocent civilians. I believe our brave troops deserve our support and respect and nothing less.
The Iraqi War WAS a last resort. The U.N. gave Saddam 12 years and 17 resolutions to comply with the treaty HE SIGNED that ended the Gulf War of 1991.
The cocky part about Bush I can buy very easily. Just listen to any public speech Bush has ever given. He comes across as all knowing despite evidence to the contrary.
As far as Bush not being able to speak Spanish very well, who cares? Bush is the President of the United States, not Mexico.
If President Fox, or any President of Mexico made real social and economic reforms in their country they wouldn't have to worry at all about our immigration policies. I blame the President of Mexico for the immigration problem more than I do the United States. It's easy for Fox to point at Bush and blame him for the immigration problem while he sat back and did nothing to solve his own country's economic failures. The man disgusts me.
And all you one notes that want to hang the entire Iraq war on Bush are forgetting all the failures of our Intellegence Department and Congress who didn't even read all the information available and voted to go to war. And don't forget that the voters elected Bush to office. If you want to impeach anyone it should be the voters.
Iraqis are killing innocent Iraqis infinitely more than our soldiers are.
Sorry naysayers of Jorge's language talents. His PR people used his so-called spanish capabilities as a selling point to Bush's leadership qualifications. It's just another stinking lie that America's goobers have come to accept.
Don't try to wiggle out of it and pass it off as unimportant. You'd be the same buttheads screaming impeachment for a little sexual indiscretion.
Vicente Fox could have added the following about Bush; Arrogant;conceited;congenital liar;can't address an audience unless he's reading from a script prepared by speech writers;a true draft dodger;a hypocrite;historians will write that Bush is the worst and most incompetent President to ever occupy the White House. Lame Duck is too kind a description for this bungler.
Mexico is in a huge economic slump right now due to Fox and his inability to lead a nation of corruption. He was even unable to fend off a presidential candidate from closing down the capitol city to support his tantrum. In fact, his wife was the leader of corruption and is a joke to all Mexican citizens. His memoir is considered garbage to his people as he and his wife retire and live off of money stolen while in power.
If that isn't the pot calling the kettle black!
We all know Bush is cocky – he's been doing his own thing since elected. However, neither Fox nor Calderon have any right to complain about the U.S – especially given both their lousy track records. If the Mexican Government was doing their job properly, there wouldn't be so many scrambling to get into our country.
Last I checked this is still the United States, and english is the official (not national) lanuage. At least President Bush makes an effort to speak spanish.
I wouldn't look to former president Fox as one to set the example. Wasn't he the one who said the laws of the U.S. don't apply to Mexico, Wasn't he the one who encouraged his citizens to invade the U.S., rather than enter LEGALY. Wasn't he the one to publish the "tourist guides" on how to enter the U.S. ILLEGALY and than wants us to put watering stations in the desert.
If you enter the U.S. ILLEGALY you're breaking our laws and are subject to our legal system.
After all if a group of Americans were to enter Mexico ILLEGALY, I'm sure they wouldn't be met with welcoming arms.
THANK-YOU,ex President Fox. I think there are many u.s. citizens who think the same way. Because of his cockieness and his sureness about the Iraq war we now have more enemies than ever. Marian Charlotte, NC
W is the laughing stock of the world. Way to go red state Amurkah. Love that NASCAR and your sub 100 IQ prez.
Bush is as cocky as it gets. He is also a war criminal and tyrant.
Well... Why do we care about the ex-president of mexico? I mean... the ex-president! No one even cares about the current president of Mexico! Lets get some real news CNN!
I can appreciate the assessment by Mr. Fox, but isn't that pretty much the pot calling the kettle......? Fox had rocky relations at best with several heads of state and his view on immigration was un-realistic. Better to assess his own actions while in office rather than those of others. More people died during his watch trying to cross the border than any other president in Mexicos history, yet, he did very little to keep people from leaving Mexico for the U.S.
Coming from this corrupt imbecile I would take this as a compliment.
Russian Presidnet Vladimir Putin
Mr. Mooney, perhaps you can tell me what a Presidnet is? Thank you.
Thanks Mr Fox for your opinion. Perhaps when your book sells – you'll use the proceeds to help the horrifically poor in your country that live literally in boxes and scour the garbage heaps hoping to find food or something of value to sell.
What will you do for them, Mr Fox?
I found it interesting that Robert Allyn a political consultant who advised both Fox and Bush helped to write the book. It would seem to be an indication that even those who worked closely with him have the same opinion as those who have very little to do with him. A pity that first impressions of our president are correct then.
The only problem with GW is he started a war to get even for his father, who didn't finish the job. All, not most but all of his decesions are based on feathering his own nest with big business when he gets out of office. If you believe otherwise you're head is still in the sand.. Like they say follow the money trail after he leaves office.
First off, I'm sure these two quotes were selected by the American media for their likelihood to best stir up "the readership"...but that aside, Mr. Fox should be the LAST one criticizing the U.S. given Mexico's deplorable government and social system. Besides, can you name ANYONE involved in politics who isn't "cocky"? I'm sure these were incidental observations within a larger context that were lifted from his bio.
To Thomas of St. Pete,
So the spin of the day is that the rationale for Bush's premptive war on Iraq was Sadam H's failure to abide by U. N. resolutions
That's nice, but how do you justify over 2 million homeless Iraquis, hundreds of thousands of dead Americans and Iraquis – oh, and don't forget the 8 dead soldiers from the "Coalition of the Willing". I guess the permanently maimed don't matter either.
Why don't we just blame the U.N.? . . . . hmmm. . can anybody say A.C.C.O.U.N.T.A.B.I.L.I.T.Y!
George Bush is the best thing that ever happened to Mexico. In fact he cares more about Mexicans than he does Americans. I hope when he leaves office he moves to Mexico and runs for President there.
Fox has a right to be surprised that Bush became President of the United States. We all should – since he was not really elected. He lost by over half a million votes to Al Gore. He also lost Florida, if the SCOTUS hadn't stopped the counting of ballots early. He is not, and never was, a legitimate president.
Former President Fox should be more concerned with solving the extensive problems in his country including but not limited to a solution to Mexico's illegal emigration!
Why would anyone sort through these comments? Is there something useful here? – No, Another great idea from CNN.
Many of you critiicize Mexico and it's obviously corrupt political system, yet fail to see just how corrupt our own is. We're just better at covering up our dirty laundery. In any case U.S. and Mexico's relationship is symbiotic, one can not survive without the other. Our economy is driven by the exploitation of the " economic immigrants". They work for chump change doing hard work that all of these "patriots" would scoff at. Remember this post when immigration laws do change and all you dumb posters who spew your garbage about Mexican workers have to pay more at grocery store, housing costs will rise, ( who do you all think builds these houses for cheap ). Our own economy is dependent on these workers. But it's easy to hide under the cover of the internet and give stupid opinions..
he IS the leader of the free world ... Mexico is like a large corrupt city
To President Fox:
The world is our mirror.
Coming from someone who lived under the Bush (non)governship of Texas….his(Fox) comments are a surprise? Most people who live or lived in Texas while Bush jr. was governor of Texas could have told you that…and SURPRISE!! not everyone in Texas loves W!!!
Well, that's a relief!! I've been avoiding Texas like the plague, between leading in executions and sending us your village idiot to govern the nation, I had all but given up hope for the Lone Star state!! Said somewhat tongue-in-cheek.....
Fox's remarks about Bush's Spanish skills being at a grade school level is due to the fact that at every opportunity he insisted on inflicting his "expertise" on a pained Fox. Then again, Bush also butchers the English language, so why should he do any better in Spanish?
He who is free of sin let them cast the first stone....Fox should attempt uniting the wealthy elite in his country and try to solve his nation's internal problems. I wonder why his fellow countrymen want to leave his country for ours? Instead he writes a book so he can increase his persoanl wealth even more so.
The US may not be perfect but we certainly have an outstanding system of checks and balances...I don't want to live elsewhere.
I am not a Bush supporter on any level, but I have listened to Vicente
Fox speak English, and you know, the guy is up in the night saying someone doesn't speak a language well, he could use a little practice....and i like the guy.....
Fox is throwing rocks?
President Bush's spanish is grade school level?
I venture that his spanish is much better than the english of his countrymen who have fled to the US for work.
In Fox's six years as president of Mexico what did he do to improve things in Mexico so that his people didn't feel the need to risk thier lives and resources to get to America for work?
The man was an IDIOT and he's got some nerve to enough think of himself in the same league as President Bush !!!
I felt bad for the people of Mexico!
Who cares??? Why didn't this ex-prez do something about his country to stop the illegals in the first place? Should our president be fluent in Spanish, stop his illegals,stop the war, and let's cross our fingers and hope everything get's better. Ok. Por favor, Presidente Fox!!!
This from a man who can't figure out how to put any infrastructure into his country so he sends them all to us and demands WE take care of them? Now THAT'S cocky!
Why doesnt anyone consider this? Why do the presidents Spanish skills matter? He knows more than any of you anti bush idiots could even consider. He addresses problems and issues that you cant even imagine. So why you dont mind paying for these illegal immigrant(Cockroaches) to have their children here and cheat the system your watching our economy crash and burn. The x leader of mexico is a joke.
Fox's thoughts and a book? Are you kidding me? What has he ever accomplished? (oh right ... high crime, polution, dirty water, corrupt government, no border security or penal system, high unemployment, no healthcare, and millions of Mexicans who want to leave his country). We really want advice from someone like him .......... lol
Sounds like he has Spanish skills on a par with his English skills.
I only wish the powers to be would see this as well. Bush is an idiot and should be impeached. I invaded another country unprovoked...anyone else would have been tried and hung for a war crime.
Bush's English skills and foreign policy knowledge are both below "grade school" level. He is also failing at balancing our budget by wasting all our country's wealth overseas. Yet he is STILL the commander in chief...
Bush gives hope to all imbeciles and illiterates that you too, if you know the right people and are willing to ignore the Consitutition, can be president...
How does Fox not like the President's immigration policy. The President's the one that went to bat for him, trying to put to gether a guest-worker program adn not wanting to deport the 12 million illegals. The President sacrificed his own popularity rating in his own party while doing that. And Fox in turns repays him this way?
I think Pres. Bush has one major lesson to learn: the people you try to help in this world never show gratefulness..1)The Iraqi people for whom you've toiled so much political capital, even risking losing re-election in 2004 stab you in the back and don't try to work things out, 2) Vic Fox chastises you despite what I edscribed above, 3) Most of the GOP Senate and Congressmen you helped get elected pretend they don't know you when your popularity is down, ..and the list goes on and on.
Anyway Mr. President, keep your head high. You're a rare object in politics-someone who's really in in for what they believe (rightly or wrongly) and not for popularity points.
Frankly, I think George Bush could care less about what anybody's opinion of him is, I find him to be entirely stupid - This guy we know as George Bush, President of the United States knows that there are Americans who will follow him to hades as long as he says what they want to hear, it does not matter that it is lies and this is how he became president saying what a certain group of people want to hear. What matters is he and his family has enough money to literally buy an entire country and perhaps that's what America is really all about.
Well, at least in the US a President can't change the Constitution to suit himself and pocket millions of the much coveted dollar for personal wealth.
mexican president fox says bush's spanish
is grade school level. that's all?
i think everything he does is grade school level.
he doesn't make total sense.he tries to be a grandstander.usually,making a fool of himself. i.e.:wearing a flight suit!
making a speech under a banner saying
mission accomplished!"how this man can
look in the mirror and feel good about
himself is beyond me.oh,in response to
a threat by osama himself,bush used an
old line from western movies-bring them on.
please cnn, stop giving me reasons to defend bush. mexico's former president running his mouth about anything is pretty funny. talk about the pot...
President hit the nail on the head and it is unfortunate that it is the truth. It is in his walk, his manner and his speech.
George W. Bush thinks he was elected dictator and the republicans are not realistic enough to understand that he represents them. They have allowed Bush to set the tone of the republican party and it will be there for years to come. Bush has beat out Hoover as the political punching bag for the at least two decades.
We need a two party system, but we need for them to work together to keep both from going overboard and the republicans could not handle the power they were given by the American people.
I was a tradesman before retirement and the quickest way to ruin a good worker was to make him or her foreman and they did not have the capacity to handle the power. They then were not good as a boss or when put back as worker they held animosity against everybody that had worked for them because they blamed the setback on the workers instead of realizing they could not handle authority.
Don't know what is more depressing:
Fox, head of a narco-state calling someone "cocky" after exporting poverty to the U.S., screwing over his own citizens while declaring their "rights" to leave his country and giving them instructional manuals on how to do so.
or
Far left liberal crazies who cheer him solely for this insult to Bush.
...sick of it all...
The President of Mexico is a sleazy, corrupt, criminal. Who cares what he thinks or says about President Bush? Why does it even warrant space in national news?
Obviously if Former President Fox is complaining of his relationship with so many different world leaders, maybe he should be looking at himself as the problem in those relationships rather than blaiming others for his relationship problems.
This is something, seeing that Mr. Fox is an ex-Coke exec and world renowned politician. Mr. Fox miss the point of W being dumb as a fence post, too.
Time to switch American't to American again.
Did we really think his Spanish would be any more intelligent than his English?
Hold it. Fox and Bush were compadres. On the first trip as president Bush traveled to Vicent's Ranch. So, these guys were in very good terms. SOrry about no habla espanol.
Wow, candid and spot on!! Bush is quite possibly the worst President in this nation's brief history. It's hard to conceive of a guy or lady doing a worse job!! He has ruined our worldwide credibility and goodwill and taken thousands of American lives in the process. Dreadful.
What does Mexican politics have to do with American politics? Sure, someone will say, "Mexican politics is important because . . " and then that person will proceed to give a bunch of excuses that are irrelevant to American politics. Look, when Tony Blair comes out with a book I will pay attention. Mexico has done nothing substantially for America and our politics, therefore, I will continue about my daily life knowing that Bush can hardly speak good english and and it sure does not matter if he knows a lick of spanish. By the way, I have seen cockier posts on this CNN blog (including my own) then I have ever seen out of Bush. Hypocrites.
Is it not sad that a former president that did nothing for his country in the 6 years he served to talk bad about the president of the best country in the world? Dont get me wrong, I want Bush and Dick out but at least they have unified the country in wanting them out of office. How can Fox be proudful of what he did for Mexico when he did nothing for the country. He tried to take on corruption and drug-lords and well all know what happened, nothing! Calderon on the other hand, right away sent the Military to tackle crime, drungs and the police. The police is more corrupt than anything else. When I go to Mexico I fear the police more than anything else. Fox should be asking for forgiveness instead of writing a book. Fox did nothing for his country and that is truelly sad.
Did Vincinte Fox mean "cookiest" or "cokiest?" Either one probably fits. And apparently Mr Bush's english skills are about as good as his spanish ones
President Vicente Fox should have known better and kept his mouth shut on this. There is such things as decency and rules of ethiquette and curtesy vis-a-vis of foreign dignitaries. These sort of comments are unbecoming to a former head of state and does not, in anyway add to the debate on issues relevant to the welfare of Mexico and the United States.
I'm not surprised by President Fox's comments at all.
He is just pedling his book. Fox should be grateful for all idiotic decisions of our goverment which helped him and his kind to stay in power. From NAFTA to illegal immigration, mexican politicians are in no position to criticize anything and anyone in our country. In this case, enemies of our enemy are not our friends.
After reading the promotional ad (aka interview) for Vicente Fox's book "Revolution of Hope" it is easy to see why Hollywood actors and members of the music industry have these outlandish press releases in order to sell more copies of their books and song tracks. Calling President Bush "cocky" is the leadership equivalent of calling him an absolutist president which historians will decide in the end. When Mr. Fox's administration informally legislated illegal immigration, had a drug cartel war at the border of the affected U.S. states, left behind unpaid bills, insults and general bad taste on official visits, using the term "cocky" just seems like an attempt to get more notoriety for his book than actual facts and credible information. About the Spanish being at a certain level, Mexico is known more for its Corona and Mayan ruins (featured in the file photo) than great Spanish so good luck with the book and please spare the world political assessments when his regime was just as scrutinized and criticized. Leave the "machismo" and the "chisme" (easily translated in English as macho and gossip) to the scholars and the media and Hope that your recorded revolution is actually something worth reading!
I am no fan of W but Fox has no leg on which to stand when criticizing anyone. Bring the troops back home and put them where they belong ~ on the southern border of the US.
Fox saying a single word about immigration is pure comedy. You export your poor to the USA and cry foul when we enforce our laws. Yet when people cross your border to the south, you imprision them for 2 years!
Hypocrite!
Whoa, wait a minute. First of all, Fox cannot be blamed for the multitude of years of corruption of the Mexican Government and needless to say Mexican Citizens crossing over into "OUR" country illegaly. So, for those of you trying to make him look like a jacka__, forget it. Fox would not have been able to change years and years of corruption in just 6 years. Just like it will take us a few years to clean up Bush's mess that he created in his term. Now onto the rest, COCKY yes, and poor speaker, yup. Right on the money. Oh, did someone say "Money". My point exactly, it has always been about the $$$$ for Bush. Taking cheap shots at Fox is not going to fix the problems we have in our front yard. This is where we need to get it together people. Focus on the problem on hand, we are so judgemental and easy to point the finger, but what are doing about it? Instead of jumping at someone for not having many good things to say about our current leader, let's do something about it and remember it is an election year next year. Mandate your state for a fair voting process so we do not have another Florida incident. Let's UNITE not divide.
I think we should not give much imortance to this story and waste our time. Bush's presidency is done and so as Fox's. Lets worry about 2008, beyond Bush and how to stop the illegal war this man has started and bring the troops home.
He tortures both the English and Spanish languages and is embarrassment to Harvard. It's hard to believe he got accepted let alone graduate.
As in the book, far as the accuser well no wonder they look like they got along so well.
His spanish language skills put him on par with all the illegals' english skills in this country, eh, Foxie?
I find it ironic that Bush considers himself to be a "God-fearing" man, considering the place he most assuredly will go for perpetrating this war upon the American people. And I don't mean the "up" escalator. It's a shame that he will be down on the ranch, clearing brush while brave Americans continue to die for his illegitimate war.
Cocky and stupid are not good traits, in fact, I would consider them character flaws. How this imbecile got elected, twice even, I'll never understand. Unfortunately, it's a sad commentary on the gullibility and intelligence of alot of the American people.
"Revolution of Hope"...really?
that's what you call the millions and millions of Mexicans who have illegally entered our country in hope of a better life since the country Vicente Fox led turned into a third world hellhole during his watch.
I'm mystified at how he can be critical of Bush's immigration stance. We have unwillingly taken millions of impovershed Mexicans out of his country's social support system (at great benefit to their taxpayers and great detriment to ours). What does this guy want? For the U.S. government to bring busses into Juarez and Tijuana in order to pick up the millions of other Mexicans who want to escape poverty and carry them to a U.S. destination of their choice?
Looking at the economic conditions of his country and the inability combat the drug trade tearing the country apart, I would have to rate his leadership skills as "grade school".
Maybe President Bush should have used his grade school Spanglish to tell Fox "Usted es un Presidente malísimo"???
I think that Mr. Fox forgot that he was with the U.S. president not someone that takes care of some Mexican territories and that Spanish is not our NATION language, just because 20 million illegal mexican live here we all need to speak Spanish correctly. Mr. Fox should take his arrogant hat off and teach most of his poor hardworking countrymen here how to speak and write their native tongue. Why a book did he steal enough from his country.
Who cares about his Spanish skills or his stance on immigration? Bottom line, if you cannot speak English, go home. And, I am no fan of Bush.
Mexico can't make people stay in Mexico anymore than the U.S. could make people stay in the U.S. That's Cuba stuff.
I wish I knew what Spanish word Fox used that is being translated as "cocky." Sounds absolutely accurate when it comes to Bush, but meanings do get mixed up in translations. Couldn't find anything about it on Mexican sites. Seems to be an issue only in the U.S.
I just have to laugh at some of the emails reflected on this post. So many have chastised our president regarding his English skills (or apparent lack of), yet have their own issues with punctuation, grammar, and spelling. Criticism is easy though...when you're the one doing the criticizing!
Mexico will always be a third world country because of its corrupt leaders, and the export of its lowerclass and undereducated citizens does no good for America, we need to apply the laws on the books to reduce illegal immigration, we voted bush in... sorry folks we get to live another few months with our mistake, lastly the president of the United States has shown more class in attempting to learn and speak spanish, he does not owe fox that favor, i listened to fox one day and could barely understand a word he said in english, he is insulting and showing he was schooled in a third world country, hence no respect for his ex- political comrades be they of another country.
Senior Fox – how do you say "failed human rights" in Spanish? 12+ million flee Mexico for the US.... millions more living in desperate poverty... government corruption from the Federal to State to local magistrates.
But Bush is cocky?
Wow...tired of US citizens attacking our government, applauding other corrupt goverments and making Bush the evil. Disagree with our President (Republican, Democrat or Independent) but if you're convinced (mostly by the media and dumb articles like this) I encourage you to leave. You have the choice...you can still hate the US, just do it from afar.
Hey look, we're standing in front of a pyramid. How cute! How so New World Order of us! Thanks for failing to notice that you are all just serfs in our ever-expanding kingdom of sufferage and terror. Cocky? Arrogant? So what, you won't do anything about it...
Get us out of this mess. Investigate the candidates and VOTE> preferably for non-CFR candidates. Er, well, there's only three or four out of the 16... Oh well, the tyranny continues...
STOP THE IMMIGRATION- START THE EMMIGRATION...SEND MEXICO A BILL FOR ITS PEOPLE HERE IN AMERICA RUNNING UP HEALTHCARE COST/HOUSING ETC ETC... VICENTE SHOULD WORRY ABOUT THEIR CORRUPT GOVT. AND NOT AN AMERICAN PRESIDENTS SPANISH. tHIS IS AMERICA–WE SPEAK ENGLISH.
i feel sorry for history's timing and Mr. Fox's election. He was the first non-PRI president elected in over 70 years; had to battle corruption that had been in place throughout Mexican government from the local to federal level WITHOUT a majority in his own legislature to engineer change with; was limited to but one 6 year term; and his early hopes and aspirations of coming to grips with the imigration problem were put on the back burner immediately by Pres. Bush after 09/11, frustrating him and guaranteeing his presidency to one of mediocrity. The Mexican people, on the other hand, expected miracles overnight, and were impatient and sadly disappointed. There was so much hope and potential there. . .
I do not understand people getting upset about leaders of other nations criticizing our leaders; especially since our own elected officials, including past Presidents and the present one, criticize leaders from other countries all the time! What is good for the goose is good gor the gander.
And as for Mexico being a Narco-state, it wouldn't be if it were not for us consuming close to 80% of all illegal drugs with only three to four percent of the world's population.
Fox called Bush "the cockiest guy I ever met", well I never met Bush, but everyday I have to live with this mess he created and I can sure think of many more phrases than that to call him.
Why shouldn't Bush be cocky? He's the President of The United States of America! Not the crooked dictator of a broken country wih a corupt government which depends on exporting it's excess population to survive. Maybe Bush knew who he was talking to.
I never thought that just for a simple comment from a guy ex president to another guy who is president boiled so much all of you and make you all squeezed your truly hidden issues... Let's start working all together and learn from those guys mistakes to be better people, then We vote for better people to sit in congress and senate, so hopefully We all can choose a better P R E S I D E N T S ... just think about it, don't be a part of the problem, be a problem solver people... simple english
Mr. Fox .............we just can't take you seriously anymore!
Your time in Los Pinos was a broken promise from day cero!......sorry!