Posted on 04/22/2007 3:44:34 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: President and Mrs. Bush spent the weekend in Washington where they attended the annual White House Correspondents' Association dinner last night. The Washington Post described the President's appearance this way:
The evening took a turn toward the somber when the President took the stage. After a videotaped message from David Letterman ("Top 10 George W. Bush Moments"), he said, "In light of this week's tragedy at Virginia Tech I've decided not to be funny."And with that he handed the lectern over to Rich Little. "I'm not here to make any political points," the veteran comic said. "I'm a nightclub entertainer who tells a lot of dumb stupid jokes. I'm just here tonight trying to make enough money to get my relatives out of Canada."
White House Press Secretary Tony Snow got a warm reception when he joined GWB at the head table. He promised to return to the White House briefing podium soon for more jousting with the press corps. "We'll have that entertainment again, trust me," he said.
The association presented a $5,000 check to the Virginia Tech student paper to help its coverage in the aftermath of the massacre there last Monday. [Only $5,000 from all those fat-cat limousine Leftists.]
Speaking of fat-cat limousine Leftists, Sheryl Crow and producer Laurie David decided to try turning the evening into a political war by taking on Karl Rove:
At This Dinner, A Dollop of Vitriol
By Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts
Washington Post Staff Writers
Sunday, April 22, 2007; Page C01Global warming was the talking point last night at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner when singer Sheryl Crow and "Inconvenient Truth" producer Laurie David walked over to Table 92 at the Hilton Washington to chat with Karl Rove -- and the resulting exchange was suitably heated.
"I am floored by what I just experienced with Karl Rove," David reports. "I went over to him and said, 'I urge you to take a new look at global warming.' He went zero to 100 with me...I've never had anyone be so rude."
Rove's version: "She came over to insult me and she succeeded."
Things got so hot that Crow stepped in to defuse the situation and then got into it with Rove herself. "You work for me," she told the presidential adviser, according to singed bystanders. "No," was his response. "I work for the American people."
News of the dust-up filtered quickly through the room. Some witnesses said David was very aggressive with Rove; a shaken Crow later said that Rove was "combative and unresponsive."
In the meantime, the President Bush and Rich Little gave an example of true class:
Bush leaves comedy to Rich Little at White House reporters' dinnerWASHINGTON (AP) — President Bush, deferring to the tragedy at Virginia Tech, passed up any attempt to be funny at the House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday, leaving those efforts to impersonator Rich Little.
[snip]
Unlike previous comedians at the dinner, he had no competition from Bush, who at times has shown a deft comedic touch himself in his annual monologue.
Bush said it was important for people in Washington "to learn to laugh" and that the ability for a nation to poke fun at its leaders is good for democracy.
"I was looking forward to doing a little poking myself but in light of this tragedy at Virginia Tech I decided not to be funny," he said.
He noted that many journalists in the room have had a tough week, reporting from Virginia Tech and said "this dinner comes at a good time."
With that, he introduced Little for the laughs.
Out in the real world -- the world ditsy entertainers and most White House "correspondents" seem clueless about -- President Bush will meet with the President of Poland to discuss placing an anti-missile shield in Poland.
Bush to see Polish president in June over missile shield: report
Sat Apr 21, 12:23 PM ETWARSAW (AFP) - US President George W. Bush will make a brief trip to Warsaw in June for talks with Polish counterpart Lech Kaczynski on proposals for a US anti-missile shield in Poland, a press report said Saturday.
The daily Rzeczpospolita, quoting sources close to the Polish presidency, said Bush's visit would follow the Group of Eight (G8) summit taking place in neighbouring Germany from June 6-8.
The paper said the talks could take place in Kaczynski's private residence at Jurata, along the Baltic Sea coast from the summit venue of Heiligendamm.
Earlier this month the White House said Bush would play host to Kaczynski, a conservative and close ally, on July 16.
The United States has asked the Czech Republic and Poland to host a radar system and interceptor rockets respectively, purportedly to counter missiles from North Korea or Iran, but the plan has been sharply criticized by Russia.
President Bush called another staunch ally, Australian Prime Minister John Howard, to thank him for his commitment to fighting the war on terrorism:
Bush thanks Howard for leadership in 'war on terror'
Sat Apr 21, 12:24 PM ETWASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush Saturday thanked Australian Prime Minister John Howard, a top US ally, for cooperation in the "war on terror," a White House spokesman said.
"President Bush spoke with Prime Minister Howard of Australia this morning in a wide ranging call on global and regional issues," national security council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said.
Bush "thanked Prime Minister Howard for his leadership role is the global war on terror. They discussed the situations in Iraq, Afghanistan, North Korea, and Iran (and) they affirmed their optimism that the international community can resolve these difficult issues by maintaining unity of purpose."
The US president "thanked the Prime Minister for the decision of Australia to send additional troops to help secure the peace in Afghanistan and for Australia's steadfast and important commitment in Iraq."
Australia announced earlier this month that it would nearly double its military force in Afghanistan to 1,000 troops, warning that the war against a resurgent Taliban would not be won without extra effort.
Separately, "Bush fully endorsed Prime Minister Howard's initiative to place the issue of clean development and climate change on the agenda for the APEC leaders summit in Sydney in September."
Howard said last month he was making climate change a key agenda item at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
THE WEEK AHEAD:
— Monday, Apr. 23: President Bush meets with President Alan García of Peru in the Oval Office. He also participates in a meeting on Medicare Part D in the Roosevelt Room of the White House. GWB also will participate in a photo opportunity and visit with the Super Bowl Champion Indianapolis Colts in the East Room.— Tuesday, Apr. 24: The President flies to New York where he will visits Harlem Village Academy Charter School to give a speech on No Child Left Behind Act re-authorization. He will also attended a Republican National Committee dinner at a private residence in New York.
— Wednesday, Apr. 25: With Mrs. Bush, GWB will make remarks on Malaria Awareness Day in the Rose Garden.
— Thursday, Apr. 26: The first couple will greet the 2007 National and State Teachers of the Year. Weather permitting, this annual event usually takes place in the Rose Garden. Also on Thursday, the President and First Lady will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Mrs. Abe to the White House, and will host a social dinner for them.
— Friday, Apr. 27: President and Mrs. Bush will welcome Prime Minister Abe and his wife to Camp David, where there will be a joint press availability.
— Saturday, Apr. 28: First Lady Laura Bush delivers the commencement address at Pepperdine University in Malibu, CA.
EXTENDED SCHEDULE
— May 11: First Lady Laura Bush delivers remarks at the graduation of the University of Texas at Arlington in Arlington, TX.— May 13: President Bush will participate in ceremonies commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement.
— May 23: President Bush delivers the commencement address to the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT.
— June 6-8: President Bush will attend the G8 Summit in Germany. During that trip, he is expected to make a brief stopover in Poland.
W feels this stuff. Our former Prez could go out, bite his lip and make a tear, but then he’d forget all about it and go back to his favorite activities. This one will do anything to protect us, and really grieves when something goes so tragically wrong.
There were as many tragedies - if not more - during the previous admin., but they didn’t leave a mark on the Prez.
I thought he was funny.
I'm thrilled to see these photos. He looks thin, but on the road to recovery.
Tony, if you happen to catch this thread, we love you and are praying for you and your family. Welcome back -- well, almost back. :)
These are incredibly trying days. This war must be won, and our time with him at the helm is quickly winding down. I can’t think about it too much.
Yep...that sparkle and good humar are great signs.
He is very cute, in a nearly 61-year-old way. ;-)
Sigh...if it were only possible.
Rich Little was a huge improvement over Colbert of last year. It was amazing how his facial expressions really made him resemble the President he was spoofing.
I am certain I have seen a similar photo to this I think ohio has posted it in the past.
Agreed wholeheartedly.
Maybe I have imagined then but I felt sure I had seen a similar one before
I agree with you about Katrina...I think he has suffered because of the great loss of life and property.
However, for even “conservative” talk show hosts to continue to BLAME him for Katrina...it is just that much more stressful for him, I am sure.
Indeed
You're welcome. For those who understand that GWB wears his heart on his sleeve, his body language said he really didn't want to be there this year.
Hi snugs. You're so very welcome. I've been able to catch up a little bit with some of your updates about your dad. I'm so happy that he's doing better, and is able to get up and walk around some. Any word on when he might be able to go home?
ROFL!! That’s a good lawyer joke. :)
I know. They almost look like sisters.
Glad you like them, snugs. :)
Lol he’s definitely cuter than any other 60-year-old I’ve ever seen. :P
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