WASHINGTON, June 16: US President George Bush committed a faux pas at his latest press conference when he asked a legally blind reporter whether he was going to ask a question while wearing sunglasses.Mr Bush gave the remarks when Peter Wallsten of the Los Angeles Times asked a question about his political adviser Karl Rove, who was told this week that he won’t be indicted in the case stemming from the leaked identity of CIA operative Valerie Plame.
The president had already turned aside two questions, saying that he trusted Mr Rove but would not make any comments on the accusations that the White House leaked Mrs Plame’s identity as long as there’s a pending trial against the accused.
“You’ll keep asking questions during the course of the trial; we’re not going to comment beyond that,” Mr Bush said. And when Mr Wallsten insisted on asking yet another question about Mr Rove, President Bush said: “Yes, Peter. Are you going to ask that question with shades on?”
“I can take them off,” said the journalist.
“I’m interested in the shade look, seriously,” said Mr Bush.
“All right, I’ll keep it, then,” the journalist replied.
“For the viewers, there’s no sun,” Mr Bush responded, causing some in the audience to laugh.
“I guess it depends on your perspective,” said Mr Wallsten, causing some more laughter.
“Touch,” said Mr Bush.
Mr. Wallsten is legally blind and wears glasses to slow a genetic eye disorder. According to television reports, Mr Bush later learned of Mr. Wallsten’s medical condition and called to apologise to the reporter, who said he ‘wasn’t the least bit offended’.
