Bush in London
While visiting England, George W. Bush was invited to have tea with the Queen.
Given his recent political problems, he decides to take advantage of her years of
leadership experience and asks her for her advice. She responds that she surrounds herself
with the most intelligent people she can find and lets them do their jobs.
Intrigued with this novel theory, Bush asks her how she is able to tell if the people are
intelligent.
"I do so by asking them a test question" responds the Queen. "Allow me to demonstrate."
The Queen then dials 10 Downing Street and asks to speak to Tony Blair. "Mr. Prime
Minister, please answer a hypothetical question for me."
"I'll do my best, Your Majesty" responds Blair.
"Your mother has a child and your father has a child" says the Queen. "The child is not
your brother or your sister. Who is the child?"
Tony Blair hesitates momentarily and then confidently replies, "Well, Your Majesty, I guess
it would have to be me."
"Correct" says the Queen. "Thank you and good day."
The Queen hangs up and says "Did you hear that Mr. Bush? See how clever he is."
Impressed, Bush replies "I certainly did. I'll definitely be using that one when I conduct
my next Cabinet shuffle back in the US."
Upon returning to Washington, Bush decides he'd better put some of his senior Cabinet
Members to the test. He summons Dick Cheney to his office and says, "Dick, I wonder if you
could answer a question for me?"
"Why of course Sir" Cheney responds unenthusiastically, annoyed that the President was
again seeking his input on something.
"Well, uh, let's say your mother has a child and your father too has a child. This child is
not your brother and also is not your sister. Who is it?"
Somewhat surprised at this odd question, Cheney hems and haws and finally asks if he can
have some time to think about it.
"Certainly" responds Bush.
Cheney immediately calls a meeting of other senior Republicans and they puzzle over the
question for several hours. Totally baffled, they decide to conduct some research and
contact a loyal Washington consulting firm. A budget of $10 million is provided and
intensive research is carried out over the next two weeks. Unfortunately, the consultants
are unable to come up with an answer.
Desperate to prove that he is smarter than George, Cheney decides to take a chance and
calls Al Gore.
"I realize you are just an Tennessee redneck and are not all that wise in the ways of the
world, but maybe you can help me out with a problem I have.
Gore is naturally skeptical about Republican promises, but in the spirit of political
co-operation he agrees to do what he can to help out.
"O.K., here goes" says Cheney. "Your mother has a child and your father has a child. The
child is not your brother or your sister. Who is the child?"
Without hesitating, Gore responds "It would be me, of course."
Impressed at the his quick response, Cheney quickly brushes off Gore and rushes to the
President's office.
"I know the answer to your question, you idiot!! I know who the child is!!"
Bush, who was privately becoming a bit concerned at the delay in hearing back from Cheney,
is delighted."Who is it Dick?" he asks.
With obvious pride, Cheney replies "It's Al Gore, George - its Al Gore!!"
Stunned, Bush shouts in disgust, "Wrong you idiot - it's Tony Blair!!"
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