WASHINGTON, DC—Superstar actor Tom Hanks will fill President Bush's spot at the White House through Friday while the chief executive takes the week off.
Above: Hanks welcomes the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad al-Thani, to the Oval Office.
"We're thrilled to have Tom sitting at the president's desk this week," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday. "It's truly an honor that this beloved star and two-time Oscar winner took time from his busy schedule to guest-lead the nation. It's been a lot of fun so far, and we have even more great meetings lined up for the next couple days, so make sure to check the news."
It's the first guest-president gig for Hanks, who took the reins Monday, but McClellan said the actor's political inexperience is not a liability. Citing Hanks' "amiable yet commanding presence" and "seamless interfacing with diverse policymakers and diplomats," McClellan characterized the Hollywood insider as a "born leader."
"Some guest presidents breeze into a cabinet meeting or state dinner thinking they can get by on star power—and generally, they can," McClellan said. "But Tom's unique, low-key, everyman persona sets him apart from the others. It endears him to everyone he meets, from the high-level diplomat to the Minority Whip."
Above: Hanks welcomes the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad al-Thani, to the Oval Office.
"We're thrilled to have Tom sitting at the president's desk this week," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Tuesday. "It's truly an honor that this beloved star and two-time Oscar winner took time from his busy schedule to guest-lead the nation. It's been a lot of fun so far, and we have even more great meetings lined up for the next couple days, so make sure to check the news."
It's the first guest-president gig for Hanks, who took the reins Monday, but McClellan said the actor's political inexperience is not a liability. Citing Hanks' "amiable yet commanding presence" and "seamless interfacing with diverse policymakers and diplomats," McClellan characterized the Hollywood insider as a "born leader."
"Some guest presidents breeze into a cabinet meeting or state dinner thinking they can get by on star power—and generally, they can," McClellan said. "But Tom's unique, low-key, everyman persona sets him apart from the others. It endears him to everyone he meets, from the high-level diplomat to the Minority Whip."
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