Turns out that none-other than Japan's Prime Minister is a big Elvis Presley fan. So, when traveling over here for a summit meeting at the White House, President Bush arranged a little road trip.
From the NY Times:
Foreign Policy Tries a Little Shake, Rattle and Roll
In the annals of international diplomacy, it was not exactly Yalta. But today's visit to Graceland - the ticky-tacky Elvis Presley mansion here - by President Bush and Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan brought a little bit of shake, rattle and roll to American foreign relations.
Mr. Koizumi, whose penchant for belting out Elvis on a karaoke machine is well known, couldn't resist trying out his moves on Mr. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush as the three of them made their way through the manse, escorted by none other than Priscilla Presley, Elvis's former wife, and Lisa Marie, his daughter.
"Looove mee tenderrrrr," the prime minister crooned, as Mr. Bush, not one for letting loose in public, cracked up. When Lisa Marie Presley showed the prime minister her father's trademark sunglasses, he promptly donned them and thrust his hips and arms forward, an earnest imitation of a classic Elvis stage move.
"I knew he loved Elvis," Mr. Bush told reporters afterward. "I didn't realize how much he loved Elvis."
The attention to detail was wonderful:
The White House left no detail unattended for the visit. The breakfast fare on Air Force One was peanut butter and banana sandwiches, a recipe straight from Elvis's kitchen. Elvis movies - "Love Me Tender" and "Viva Las Vegas" - were available for viewing. And Elvis music was playing loudly over the speakers, until Mr. Bush asked that the tunes be turned down.
Mr. Bush's motorcade arrived at Graceland shortly before 10:30 a.m. Central time. As reporters awaited the leaders' arrival, a few questions were pending: Would Mr. Koizumi sing karaoke, as he did at a birthday part for the president last year, serenading Mr. Bush with "I Need You, I Want You, I Love You"? Would either of them wear Blue Suede Shoes?
And does Mr. Bush prefer a Fat Elvis or a Skinny Elvis? To that, the White House press secretary, Tony Snow, offered a most diplomatic reply: "Uhhh, yes."
I could really see John Kerry doing this for a visiting dignitary.
