[Wolfstar]

Thought you'd all enjoy being pinged to the transcript of the President's excellent speech in Halifax today. He was more warmly received that I expected he'd be. He told a couple of great jokes, including one that went over my head since I don't know much about Canada. But the crowd laughed heartily. After the speech, he went down into the audience to shake hands.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

The Jean Poutine remark is in reference to a little trick that a Canadian reporter played on Bush when he was first running for president. The reporter asked Bush if he thought (an imaginary) Canadian Premier Jean Poutine (poutine is French fries with cheese, I think) agreed with his policy on such and such, and W responded by saying he was sure the premier did...
Someone correct me if I got this wrong. Anyway, it made for a big laugh up north.

[Republican Red]

I told Paul that I really have only one regret about this visit to Canada. There's a prominent citizen who endorsed me in the 2000 election, and I wanted a chance to finally thank him for that endorsement. I was hoping to meet Jean Poutine. (Laughter and applause)

Is this the one that went over your head?

I happened to hear the CNN guy explain that when President Bush was running for President in 2000 some Canadian comedian - "John Stewart" type asked then candidate Bush his reactions on getting the endorsement of Canadian Prime Minister Jean Poutine. Bush simply looked at the guy and said "great". Of course the name was made up - or is the name of a Canadian food. Bush was the butt of many jokes because of this incident.

Leave it to CNN to know about this story. Anyway, IMO, making a joke about it was very endearing.

[My2Cents]

He told a couple of great jokes

Like this one:

"Paul [Martin] and I share a great vision for the future, two prosperous, independent nations joined together by the return of NHL hockey." (Laughter and applause.)

[My2Cents]

Two more good lines:

"With so much trade, there are bound to be some disagreements. I proudly ate some Alberta beef last night and -- (laughter) -- I'm still standing." (Laughter and applause.)

"As a member of Canada's Parliament said in the 1960s, 'The United States is our friend, whether we like it or not.'" (Laughter and applause.)