Chris Shays Explains Why He Kissed President Bush

UPDATE: Finally! We've just heard firsthand from Rep. Chris Shays (R-Conn.) on that quick little kiss he gave President Bush before the start of Tuesday night's State of the Union speech. (You can see the kiss in our posting below.)

Shays jokes, "Joe Lieberman got a kiss from the president, so I thought I'd give him one back."

The congressman is referring to three years ago, when Bush, wading through the throng of lawmakers on the House floor on State of the Union night, took Lieberman's face in his hands and planted a kiss on the senator's cheek. (Lieberman's political opponents replayed the video many times over to underscore Lieberman's close ties to the unpopular president.)

The Shays-Bush kiss was different. First off, Bush was the kissee this time, not the kisser. And secondly, there was something sweeter to this kiss, something more touching in the way Shays kissed the president lightly on the cheek after Bush whispered something in the congressman's ear that clearly moved him to, well, kisses.

In an email sent through his spokesman, Shays, who, like Lieberman three years ago, is politically vulnerable, described the moment to us this way: "I said some words of encouragement to the president as he walked by and he pulled me close and whispered something very thoughtful and kind in return."

Shays says he wanted Bush, whose approval ratings continue to hover in the low 30s, to "feel support as he walked into a very partisan chamber. I know he appreciated what I said to him."

"I realize many Americans are angry with the President and may even hate him," Shays adds, "but I would have said the same thing to any leader who has the burden of the country and the world on his or her shoulders."

Shays nearly lost his 2006 re-election race, in large part because of his support for the Iraq War. He faces another tough contest in 2008. And Democrats are already plotting how to use the kiss against him in November.

But Shays says they can just kiss off, he's not going to kiss the president good-bye just to score political points with his constituents.

"I am particularly determined in this very ugly, political environment in which we find ourselves that the values of respect and compassion I grew up believing in extend even to a President who has a low approval rating," Shays says.

That said, Shays' office doesn't hesitate to point out that according to Congressional Quarterly, Shays voted with the president just 33 percent of the time during the 2007 session of Congress.

By Mary Ann Akers  |  January 29, 2008; 6:02 PM ET
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Comments

Kiss "ASS" suck up. Plenty of those in congress alright.

Posted by: TM | January 29, 2008 6:32 PM | Report abuse

Maybe Mr. Bush can sell kisses to reduce the deficit he's leaving us with.

Posted by: TM | January 29, 2008 6:36 PM | Report abuse

Well, well, what do we see ? All important liemericans together. Anything to explain about building 7 ladies and gentlemen ? Anything to say about using 9 barrels and finding only 1 new barrel ? Keepin up the good news then, cheerio. I whish PRESIDENT OBAMA a lot of wisdom.

Posted by: jwholtkamp | January 29, 2008 7:35 PM | Report abuse

Well, well, what do we see ? All important liemericans together. Anything to explain about building 7 ladies and gentlemen ? Anything to say about using 9 barrels and finding only 1 new barrel ? Keepin up the good news then, cheerio. I whish PRESIDENT OBAMA a lot of wisdom.

Posted by: jwholtkamp | January 29, 2008 7:40 PM | Report abuse

fag

Posted by: Anonymous | January 29, 2008 7:53 PM | Report abuse

That's nothing. Imagine what Sen Craig gave him in the Senate men's room.

Posted by: McRumi | January 29, 2008 11:11 PM | Report abuse

craig and shays, sittin' in a stall, b-u-tt-f-u-c-k-ing

Posted by: Anonymous | January 30, 2008 7:35 AM | Report abuse

You people are disgusting.

Posted by: Lilycat | January 30, 2008 9:12 AM | Report abuse

A classic kiss of death--

how heartwarming!

Posted by: Klem | January 30, 2008 9:41 AM | Report abuse

I wonder how many of these guy's belong to "Skull&Bones", the one world government gang?

Posted by: rogerg | January 30, 2008 10:13 AM | Report abuse

Wish it had been the kiss of death...

Posted by: Anne | January 30, 2008 10:31 AM | Report abuse

What comes around, goes around. This has been going on the seven years. Who the hell is watching the store? Not Mr. Shays, of course.

Posted by: Al Hough | January 30, 2008 10:36 AM | Report abuse

C'mon -- Remember the photo from El Rancho W? The one where he was holding hands with a sheikh or king? The only photo I saw from the President's recent visit to the Middle East depicted Mr. Bush brandishing a sword, while his hosts kept their hands to themselves.
So, why shouldn't *someone* make up for that travel omission with a kiss in the House of Representatives?

Posted by: Mochni (Talking Bird) | January 30, 2008 10:37 AM | Report abuse

Nice to see sycophancy alive and well in the well of Congress.

Posted by: SooonerThought | January 30, 2008 11:53 AM | Report abuse

When asked how was it? Refering to the KISS. Shays said, it tasted like a rotten fish.

Posted by: TM | January 30, 2008 12:21 PM | Report abuse


I saw Bush kissing the Saudi {MEN} and then he promised to sell them high tech weapons and now a few days later gasoline takes a big price hike.

{SICKENING}

Posted by: Paul Marsh | January 30, 2008 12:22 PM | Report abuse

No one has contributed more to the atmosphere of partisanship the Mr. Shays. No one has contributed to the divisiveness in America than Mr. Bush. They deserve each other. Two peas in the same rotten pod.

Posted by: James Bowen | January 30, 2008 12:37 PM | Report abuse

Other countries have been using kisses as greetings between same sex persons for centuries. Why are your comments so homophobic?

Chris Shays has worked hard for peace on the planet (Peace corps service) and served we the people for many years. This is one of the most bi-partisan displays we've ever seen! Why do you all have such a hard time embracing NON politics? I think it's admirable.

Posted by: Pamela | January 30, 2008 12:45 PM | Report abuse

good heavens people why give time and space to something so unimportant. If we want to get upset about something why not check out the fact that Mucasey has now decided waterboarding is legal under some circumstances. Be upset when people with

$186,000 incomes still get some rebates but the elderly and the unemployed who are unable to pay for the gas in order to find a job do not. Be upset about the missing emails and the lack of a special prosecutor to investigate the destruction of the interrogation tapes.
Be upset about the recent report documenting more than 900 LIES (not lack of information...Lies) that we were told to get us into the Iraq war. Perhaps someone can explain to me why we can impeach a President over one lie about a sexual act with an intern but do nothing when lies result in death and billions in waste of money.

Get mad at these and others and instead of blogging, organize your email to simultaneously deliver your complaints to all your legislators. And when candidates like McCain and Romney tell us that they won't pay attention to the polls or listen to the only way we as citizens have to voice our views between election cycles...use your best way of getting your point across.....vote for someone who does listen. I know I will

Posted by: alexandra castle | January 30, 2008 1:28 PM | Report abuse

Excuse me? Your declaation: "User reviews and comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site" leaves me puzzled. The nonsense cited below, by an understandably anonymous post-er, is one of quite a few juvenile ones belonging more in cesspools than in 'intelligent dialogue.'

craig and shays, sittin' in a stall, b-u-tt-f-u-c-k-ing

Posted by: | January 30, 2008 07:35 AM

Posted by: equalitygal | January 30, 2008 2:45 PM | Report abuse

Too Bad that President Bush wasn't bending over as Shays' kiss would have been closer to the mark. I must say that if Shays had planted it on the Bush's wet spot, Bush would have gotten excited right on camera. Oh! I also saw pictures of President Bush holding hands with the Oil King. Good Job Bushie, however if you really want to lower the price of oil ask Senator Craig on how to please a REAL MAN, as he is an expert on such things, being one of the original "BOYS from BOISE."

Posted by: Joseph | January 30, 2008 3:45 PM | Report abuse

equalitygal, you are a nazi, you want equality except that some nazis are more equal than others?

Posted by: Anonymous | January 30, 2008 6:02 PM | Report abuse

What happened to the rules??? Why are the immature comments by Joseph, Paul Marsh, Anne, etc. still on or even here in the first place.

Posted by: Leon Ubly Michigan | January 30, 2008 6:48 PM | Report abuse

It amazes me to see the State of the Union address sometimes. Some politicians like Chris Shah are like presidential groupees- so mezmorized by the office of the President, that they will do anything to appear connected to him. Despite the possibility that his constituents will not allow him to return to Washington on their behalf at the end of his term, Rep. Shah was willing to risk his job and his image. He reminds me of an excited little girl at a Hannah Montanna concert.

Posted by: PMO | January 31, 2008 5:52 AM | Report abuse

I could care a less about the Shays kiss. What i do care about is Congressman Chris Shays sponsoring the Clean Water Act HR 2169.
I live in Kentucky where the coal companies are destroying the mountains by blowing them up to get to the coal. Look at ilovemountains.org for pictures of this destruction.
I respect any congressman, democrat or republican who has the guts to fight for the little people against big coal.

Posted by: Kentucky | January 31, 2008 7:48 AM | Report abuse

many of these postings are disgusting...don't you read them? in europe and middle east, men kiss each other all the time....most of your posters act homophobic

Posted by: kitty hogan | January 31, 2008 10:30 AM | Report abuse

Which set of cheeks did he kiss?

Posted by: ceton | January 31, 2008 11:34 AM | Report abuse

Kentucky- I agree with you in principle, but do you think Chris Shays is going to get a lot of support for that bill from his own party, especially from Big Energy Bush?

On topic: If Shays wants to show support for the president, let him write an op-ed or make a speech. All this puerile sentimentality has no place in a government that, once upon a time, was based on rationalism.

Posted by: Colorado | January 31, 2008 11:37 AM | Report abuse

Its become apparent that the GOP Has become the Party of old white men that are a little light in the loafers. Its been pretty scary since Reagans passing. It was alot more to it than their showing their reverence to their God. They loved that man more than life itself. So much, that they started showing "homo-sexual, tendencies they couldn't even hide anymore. Yes Reagan brought out the "man-love" in repubs. I remember hearing how one powerful repug wished he could carry Reagans "love child". So its a easy transition for some pasty looking Northeastern repug to want to throw a lip-lock on a younger good-looking Bush. Afte I saw Boehner break down last yr on the floor of the House, literally sobbing like a grammar school girl, I had to come to grips that the is a PARTY TRYING TO GET IN TOUCH WITH ITS SOFTER MORE FEMININE SIDE. No wonder they can't Craig to leave. With Shays, Lieberman an a host of other Nancy's in the repubs Craig is never had so many freinds to play toilet tag with. Yep it all changed with Reagan.

Posted by: Ed Feeney | January 31, 2008 11:56 AM | Report abuse

To KITTY HOGAN

Ms Hogan cites the cultural differences of european and ME men. Her arguement is akin to, WHATSTHAT GOT TO DO WITH THE PRICE OF COFFEE IN JAMAICA.

HELLO EARTH TO KITTY, ANYBODY IN THERE? The difference is that we live in the US and that's not part of our culture. So chances are if you see one repub smoochin on another---he's gay.

Can I get an AMEN on that brother Craig
Amen

Posted by: Ed Feeney | January 31, 2008 12:31 PM | Report abuse

Was that anywhere near where Mark Foley used to sit?

Posted by: Shocked, just shocked! | January 31, 2008 2:04 PM | Report abuse

Why was Shays even asked about the incident? Why does it appear that posters here are wacked out? I thought only intelligent Inside-the Belters read the Post.

Posted by: sdraoul | January 31, 2008 3:46 PM | Report abuse

Let's see, read David Brock's tell-all on vicious gay culture in Republican DC staffs, wasn't it titled Blinded by the Right? Also for lowdown on depraved top level (toppest!) Republicans in Pop Bush era, read George Bush: the Unauthorized Bio by Webster Tarpley. Funniest denial? RNC Chair Ken Mehlman,on resigning, saying gay accusation made it hard to get a date for months! Please!

Posted by: Granny Jan | January 31, 2008 7:24 PM | Report abuse

Leon Ubly Michigan, you nazi, rules are for nazis

Posted by: Anonymous | February 1, 2008 8:09 PM | Report abuse

Nancy:

"Chris Shays has worked hard for peace on the planet (Peace corps service) and served we the people for many years. This is one of the most bi-partisan displays we've ever seen! Why do you all have such a hard time embracing NON politics? I think it's admirable."

For the "kiss" to have been bi-partisan it would need to have involved both a Democrat and a Republican. You might not be aware that Shays and Bush are both Republicans.

Posted by: Sue | February 2, 2008 12:08 PM | Report abuse

The kiss didn't concern me. The President's wink at someone in the audience during his Address to the Nation was of concern.

Our country is in dire straits. There was nothing humorous or funny about the subjects that deserved our president's attention. His smirk and his wink were much more telling than anything he had to say.

He should resign.

Posted by: pac16 | February 4, 2008 1:14 AM | Report abuse

Go President Cheney!

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