In a Raucous Political Year, a Little Low-Key Fundraising

Liberia's president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, paid a visit to President Bush at the White House last week, and each had kind words for the other's fancy footwork -- on the dance floor. (By Aude Guerrucci -- Pool Photo Via Bloomberg News)

According to a report last week in the Australian newspaper, Rudd ran into resistance from Bush on the question of whether the G-20 -- the Group of 20 industrialized and emerging nations -- should be brought together for an emergency summit, in order to include rising economic powers such as China and India. Some European leaders favored a smaller group.

"What's the G-20?" Bush asked, according to the newspaper report, which cited unidentified sources. Rudd was described as "stunned" by the question.

A U.S. official who monitored the call denied that Bush made any such remark. In addition, the official said, Bush told Rudd during the phone call that other leaders were also advocating a G-20 summit and that he was considering it.

Whatever happened during the call, Bush eventually agreed to host an emergency G-20 summit, which will be held Nov. 15 at the National Building Museum in Washington.

Rudd is expected to be one of the leaders in attendance.

Quote of the Week

"I have heard that people's attitudes are beginning to change, from a period of intense concerns -- and I would call it near panic -- to being more relaxed."

-- President Bush, Oct. 20,

on the economic crisis