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06/13/2006: "Think I'll Just Pop In And Say Hi ..."

You're a member of the White House press corp and you've been invited to join the President and his folks up at Camp David as they discuss the war efforts in Iraq. At the end of your first day in the woods, the President announces that he'll be holding a teleconference between his cabinet and the new Iraqi Prim Minister Nuir al-Haliki. "Should be like watching paint dry," you think.

So imagine your surprise - and chagrin - when you see this picture come across the wires this morning. Apparently, while you were sleeping, W snuck out the back door and disappeared into the night. Seems he decided this was one of those times when it's just not good enough to telecon - he needed a little face time.

"I've come to not only look you in the eye, I've also come to tell you that when America gives its word, it keeps its word," Bush told al-Maliki as cameras flashed.

"And it's in our interest that Iraq succeed. It's not only in the interest of the Iraqi people, it's in the interest of the American people, and for people who love freedom."

I find it encouraging to see that the leader of the western world knows how to ditch the paparazzi ... I'll bet Paris Hilton wishes she could figure it out ...