Crawford, Texas — President Bush has never returned a congratulatory call on his re-election from Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, a Socialist who withdrew Spain's troops from the U.S.-led occupation of Iraq after winning an upset victory over a crucial White House ally in March.
But Bush has suggested that he wants to make up with Europe in his second term, and he tried to reach out to the people of Spain on Wednesday by receiving King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia for a two-hour lunch at his ranch, where he and first lady Laura Bush are spending Thanksgiving week.
King Juan Carlos has no political power, yet he enjoys popularity and influence among Spanish citizens, and he often acts as a goodwill ambassador.
Asked what signal he intended to send by welcoming the king, Bush replied, "Spain is a great country and good friend."
Journalists were invited to record the arrival so it could be seen throughout Europe, and workspace was set up for Spanish reporters at Crawford Middle School, where the White House press corps is based when the president is in town.
In keeping with custom for visits by world leaders to Bush's Prairie Chapel Ranch, the king and queen arrived in a Marine helicopter bearing the presidential seal, and Bush drove himself to the landing pad in his white Ford F-250 pickup truck.
Aides promised reporters that Bush would not go today to Kabul or Damascus or Pyongyang or anyplace else. His parents and his twins will be at the ranch for turkey dinner, and he allegedly will stay put.
The menu for their majesties Wednesday included free-range turkey, Prairie Chapel bass, mashed sweet potatoes with maple syrup and chipotles and pumpkin pie.
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