# Bush Called For Jury Duty **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 1, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583 "2005-12-01T18:25:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 6:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/1 "2005-12-01T18:25:24Z")
From the Waco Tribune-Herald: > [@](#): > > Leading the free world during wartime and reporting for jury duty are both important public service responsibilities. > > While most would agree that serving as president of the United States is more pressing than serving as foreman of a jury, McLennan County officials are waiting for Crawford resident George W. Bush, potential juror number 286, to respond to a summons to report Monday for jury duty… ---
**Author:** ![eleanorigby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ee7513/32.png) [@eleanorigby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eleanorigby)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/2 "2005-12-01T18:29:00Z")
I can’t get it to load, but surely he wouldn’t be picked? If I were the attorney (either side) I would NOT want him–not because of the lack of brains or ability (although these are formidable),but because of the 3 ring circus of publicity that would surround him… I smell a PR spot to lift approval ratings. Has there ever been another sitting President picked for duty? ---
**Author:** ![TV\_time](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f17d59/32.png) [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/3 "2005-12-01T19:43:03Z")
> [@](#): > > While most would agree that serving as president of the United States is more pressing than serving as foreman of a jury… This is so bogus. Who in their right mind would choose him as a forman of a jury. The _Waco_ (I’ve always believed it should be pronounced Wacko) \*Tribune-Herald \*doesn’t feel “president” (as in President of the United States) should be capitalized. I knew Bush’s numbers were dropping but to not even rate a capital letter in his home state… ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/4 "2005-12-01T19:59:13Z")
Personally, I’d excuse him from jury duty. His administration doesn’t seem to be “into” the whole trial-by-jury idea. > [@TV time](#): > > The _Waco_ (I’ve always believed it should be pronounced Wacko) \*Tribune-Herald \*doesn’t feel “president” (as in President of the United States) should be capitalized. I knew Bush’s numbers were dropping but to not even rate a capital letter in his home state… I think that according to AP style, the word is capitalized when you’re using the title in reference to a specific person, but not otherwise. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/5 "2005-12-01T20:00:39Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Personally, I’d excuse him from jury duty. At least, the court would need to be reassured that he understood that he should not cherry-pick the evidence to support his predetermined conclusion. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/6 "2005-12-01T20:02:28Z")
Maybe he won’t show, will be arrested for failing to show, and everybody can link to his mugshot! ---
**Author:** ![DiosaBellissima](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a8b319/32.png) [@DiosaBellissima](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DiosaBellissima)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/7 "2005-12-01T20:04:17Z")
My dad, who owns his own business, just sends in a business card and brochure for his business whenever he gets called. This always gets him excused. I wonder if Bush can just send Condaleeza or something? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/8 "2005-12-01T20:07:40Z")
From what I read on CNN Bush has informed the judge that he won’t be available to go for jury duty at the time requested of him. The judge has said he doesn’t have a problem with this and Bush’s press secretary has said the President plans to arrange a later date at which he can serve his jury duty. Bush has actually been called up for jury duty before (what are the odds, I’ve never been called), when he was Governor of Texas, but he got completely excused from it saying it would interfere with executive duties. I find it strange he’s not just doing that now, but rather saying he wants to arrange a later date to participate. Maybe it’s because he was lightly chided for skipping out on jury duty in Texas, or maybe because Kerry was recently in the news for serving on a jury. ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Ashtar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ea924/32.png) [@Lord\_Ashtar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Ashtar)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/9 "2005-12-01T20:08:35Z")
> [@TV time](#): > > This is so bogus. Who in their right mind would choose him as a forman of a jury. It is his home state after all. They do still like him there, right? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/10 "2005-12-01T20:14:28Z")
Well, at least there’d be real grounds to impeach him. One guy lies about a blowjob, another blows off jury duty. Heh, good thing we’re keeping a close eye on what these presidents are doing. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_The\_Cat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ba8739/32.png) [@Bill\_The\_Cat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_The_Cat)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/11 "2005-12-01T20:15:45Z")
Can’t Bush just serve in the National Guard instead of going to jury duty? ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 9:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/12 "2005-12-01T21:08:22Z")
Who’d want him on the jury panel? His presence would be too disruptive, not only from a security perspective, but his fellow jurors might find it too difficult to concentrate on the trial. “Hey, I’ve got the President of the United States sitting six feet away from me. I’ll never get another chance. I’m going to finally tell him what I think of the Iraq situation.” ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/13 "2005-12-01T21:16:26Z")
> [@Lord Ashtar](#): > > It is his home state after all. They do still like him there, right? He won 61.1% of the popular vote in the 2004 elections ([cite](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0922901.html)), which was less than 8 other states. With his drop in ratings, I would imagine he’s nowhere near that popular any longer. ---
**Author:** ![Madd\_Maxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Madd\_Maxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Madd_Maxx)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/14 "2005-12-01T22:11:53Z")
Didn’t Kerry just get called and serve as foreman on a trial in his home state? [Yup!](http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/23/kerry.juryduty.ap/) At least Kerry was man enough to do his time, militarily and civilly. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/15 "2005-12-01T22:34:37Z")
> [@Martin Hyde](#): > > Bush has actually been called up for jury duty before (what are the odds, I’ve never been called), when he was Governor of Texas, but he got completely excused from it saying it would interfere with executive duties. I find it strange he’s not just doing that now, but rather saying he wants to arrange a later date to participate. Maybe it’s because he was lightly chided for skipping out on jury duty in Texas, or maybe because Kerry was recently in the news for serving on a jury. [The President is ‘reaching out’](http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2005/12/20051201-5.html): > [@](#): > > Q Scott? Follow up – another subject. Has the President been summoned for jury duty in Crawford? And if so, will he serve? > > MR. McCLELLAN: No. Good question, and I can update you on that. At this point, we’ve never received a jury summons from the court. We checked, but when we learned about it, I think through media reports, we did reach out to the court to find out about this jury summons. And apparently, this summons was for Monday, December 5th. We have since called the court to inform them that the President has other commitments on Monday – (laughter) – and that he would like to reschedule his jury duty. And so we’ll be working with the court to reschedule his jury duty. The judge, in fact, was the one who we reached out to and contacted, and he indicated that that would be fine and that he would work with us to reschedule. (Laughter.) > > Q When are you rescheduling it for? > > Q He can get his federal appointments – > > Q Where will the – > > MR. McCLELLAN: But, let me – one serious note, one serious note, jury duty is an important civic responsibility, and it’s important that people do serve. > > Q Would he like to serve in the Cindy Sheehan case down there? (Laughter.) ---
**Author:** ![DeadlyAccurate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ac91a4/32.png) [@DeadlyAccurate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DeadlyAccurate)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/16 "2005-12-01T22:44:30Z")
> [@Madd Maxx](#): > > Didn’t Kerry just get called and serve as foreman on a trial in his home state? > [Yup!](http://www.cnn.com/2005/POLITICS/11/23/kerry.juryduty.ap/) At least Kerry was man enough to do his time, militarily and civilly. I absolutely detest Bush, but I don’t think he should serve while he’s in office. While I’m sure the government can get by a day or two without him, should we really be without our leader\* if he ends up on a trial that lasts days or weeks? It’s not like he can just stop what he’s doing and take a phone call or a meeting, or if he did, he would be disrupting the entire proceedings. His presence wouldn’t be fair to the defendant (assuming a criminal trial). (Plus, all the prosecution would have to do is claim the defendant is an enemy combatant, and Bush would want to whisk him away to a secret location for “questioning.” ;)) \*Regardless of who you (generic, not **Madd Maxx** in particular) thinks is really running the country, he’s still seen as the leader. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/17 "2005-12-01T22:54:09Z")
> [@Martin Hyde](#): > > Bush has actually been called up for jury duty before (what are the odds, I’ve never been called), when he was Governor of Texas, but he got completely excused from it saying it would interfere with executive duties. I find it strange he’s not just doing that now, but rather saying he wants to arrange a later date to participate. IIRC, Bush’s explanation was that he might be asked to pardon the very person he had voted to convict. That conflict would not arise now (the President cannot pardon people for state crimes, only federal ones). ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [December 1, 2005, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/18 "2005-12-01T23:03:13Z")
> [@DeadlyAccurate](#): > > Who’d want him on the jury panel? His presence would be too disruptive, not only from a security perspective, but his fellow jurors might find it too difficult to concentrate on the trial. “Hey, I’ve got the President of the United States sitting six feet away from me. I’ll never get another chance. I’m going to finally tell him what I think of the Iraq situation.” The flip side to that is that there will be those jurors who wouldn’t dare contradict the prez, and just vote whichever way he voted. For these reasons and others stated above, I also think it would be a bad idea for this or any other sitting president to serve on a jury. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/19 "2005-12-02T00:15:14Z")
Hmmm…so if jury deliberations are private, does that means Bush can’t have the secret service in with him? I assume they would be at the door to the place (wel, as well as all over everywhere else,) but would they violate jury privacy in some way to keep him safe? ---
**Author:** ![The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b5ac83/32.png) [@The\_Mad\_Hermit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Mad_Hermit)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2005, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583/20 "2005-12-02T00:25:42Z")
What if another jury member, picked by the legal process, is considered “undesirable” by the Secret Service? If I were defendant in the trial I would ask my attorney about the possibility of jury tampering by the SS. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bush-called-for-jury-duty/333583.md?page=2)