Welcome Back, Mr. President

Teddy Roosevelt was the first U.S. President to go abroad on business—to check the construction of his Panama Canal in 1906—but a 21st century leader is expected overseas on a regular basis. Last Thursday, George W. Bush, an unenthusiastic traveler, began his third trip to Asia, where memories of past presidential visits are vivid—and where the footsteps he follows are sometimes those of his old man. His stops:

Japan
Precedents have been set, and they're not good. In 1974, Gerald Ford—dressed in a pair of borrowed formal trousers that barely reached his socks—met then-Emperor Hirohito....

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!