President Bush has countered critics who claim his global war on terrorism has lessened Washington’s role in Asia and allowed China’s influence to grow in the region, news reports said Friday. Preparing to embark on a three-country Asian trip, Bush said in interviews with senior Asian editors in Washington on Thursday that "our foreign policy has been robust in the Far East." [full article]

When asked about economic integration between the ASEAN nations, Bush replied that "I thought it was pronounced ‘Asian’, or is that the way you people say it here?"

Well, perhaps he never actually said that last bit. Just out of curiosity, though, raise your hand if you thought it was true.