Double take on G20 photo

WASHINGTON – Lights. Cameras. Smile. Find missing leader. Do it all again.

President George W. Bush can only hope that the plan developed Saturday in response to the global economic crisis is better executed than the group photo of the leaders at the summit.

The picture had to be retaken after Argentina’s president, Cristina Fernandez, showed up late.

It was an impressive assembly. Bush stood with leaders from the top industrialized nations and emerging economic powerhouses in front of a massive backdrop that said: “Summit on Financial Markets and the World Economy.”

The leaders filed onto a stage at the National Building Museum, positioning themselves on a paper image of their country’s flag that was taped to the blue carpet.

Jackets were straightened. The moment was captured. Bush waved and set off to begin the summit. But as they were leaving the stage, Fernandez showed up.

“You want to come up?” Bush asked, looking a bit perturbed. “OK,” he said, motioning to the other leaders to retake their places.

 A second photo session started, albeit shorter than the first.

“All right,” said Bush, who is known for punctuality. “That’s good. Let’s go.” -AP