Bush's Bull Session: Loud And Clear, Chief

As recently as February, Bush met with House Republicans at a resort on Maryland's Eastern Shore and swore them to secrecy. "First of all, I expect this conversation we're about to have to stay in the room," he lectured. "I know that's impossible in Washington." Particularly when you leave the microphone on and transmit back to the White House press room.

Bush had special reason to be wary here in Russia. Never mind that the Russians try to bug the White House staff. Twice in recent weeks a live microphone has broadcast private discussions about the summit, first at a meeting of G-8 finance ministers, then at a session between G-8 foreign ministers. The latter captured a heated argument between Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov over the text of a statement about Iraq. "If that's how Russia sees it, that's fine," Rice said testily.

Bush's own raw side came out as he and the other G-8 leaders were wolfing down their final meal together after three days of summiting. Official Russian television cameras were panning the room, but the microphones were supposed to be off. Instead, against the clatter of plates and the pouring of drinks, a snippet of the president's lunchtime discussion was broadcast on the official summit channel.

After five days traveling in Germany and Russia, Bush seemed tired of the proceedings. When someone, probably an aide, asked about final remarks, he turned down a text: "No. Just gonna make it up. I'm not going to talk too damn long like the rest of them. Some of these guys talk too long."

He seemed eager to leave: "Gotta go home. Got something to do tonight. Go to the airport, get on the airplane and go home."

Addressing one of the other leaders off camera, he asked how long it takes to get home. It was not clear whom he was talking with, but a good guess is Chinese President Hu Jintao, a guest at the summit.

"Eight hours?" Bush exclaimed. "Me too. Russia's a big country and you're a big country."

Struck by this, Bush then pointed it out to another unidentified leader. "It takes him eight hours to fly home. Eight hours. Russia's big and so is China."

At this point, Blair approached.

"Blair, what are you doing? You leaving?"

"No, no, no, not yet," Blair said.

The British prime minister had business to discuss and raised the subject of global trade talks, which have stalled to the frustration of both men. "It may be that it's impossible," Blair said.