Politics & Government

Bush: Washington asparagus "some of the best"

Les Blumenthal - McClatchy Newspapers

July 09, 2008 07:10 AM

WASHINGTON — Apparently President Bush does like Washington state asparagus. In fact, he considers it "some of the best in the world."

Bush's high praise for German asparagus following a state dinner with German Chancellor Angela Merkel in June didn't sit well with two Washington state lawmakers, Democratic Sen. Patty Murray and Republican Rep. Doc Hastings.

Washington is among the top asparagus producing states in the nation.

Murray and Hastings sent 10 pounds of fresh Washington state asparagus to the White House following Bush’s remarks in Germany.

In a thank you note to Murray, Bush said Tuesday it was to his liking.

"Thank you for the asparagus from the hard-working farmers of Washington state," Bush wrote. "I know it is some of the best in the world, and I appreciate your thinking of me."

Murray, whose father picked asparagus in the Tri-Cities when he was growing up, said all Bush had to do was try it to know Washington state asparagus was better than the German variety.

"I knew all the president had to do was taste Washington state asparagus to know what truly great asparagus is," Murray said in a statement.

Bush is now in Japan for an economic meeting with other world leaders. No word yet on whether he has eaten any edamame, a type of soybean. But he should be careful. Washington state’s farmers also grow edamame.

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