Posted on 04/29/2006 3:20:36 PM PDT by Wolfstar
PRESIDENTIAL NEWS OF THE DAY: The President and First Lady have spent a quiet day in the White House today prior to attending the annual correspondents dinner this evening.
President Bush joins the reporters who cover him tonight at their annual Washington banquet, the White House Correspondents' Association dinner.Bush has attended every correspondents' dinner since he took office, and he says he's looking forward to this one. The White House isn't saying what the Bushes are planning for this year in the way of Washington humor. Last year, the first lady interrupted the president's after-dinner speech with one of her own, lampooning her husband's cowboy pretentions.
The president's after-dinner speech is traditionally the evening highlight. Comedy Central's pretend pundit Stephen Colbert serves as this year's host.
In a comparatively quiet news day, the follow items are getting the most play on Yahoo News:
Bush backs English-only anthem
BY KEN HERMAN
Cox News ServiceWASHINGTON President Bush, adept in Spanish and the host of next week's annual Cinco de Mayo event at the White House, took a firm no-Spanish stance on Friday when it comes to "The Star-Spangled Banner.''
"I think the national anthem ought to be sung in English," Bush told reporters, "and I think people who want to be a citizen of this country ought to learn English and they ought to learn to sing the national anthem in English."
Bush Speaks Out Against Boycott Over Immigration ReformPresident Bush has spoken out against a planned economic boycott next week protesting proposed immigration reforms for millions of illegal immigrants.
Many businesses across the nation are expected to close as a demonstration of support.
Bush says he supports "comprehensive immigration" reforms but he is not a supporter of boycotts. The President said "most Americans agree that we've got to enforce our border."
Meanwhile, fears of deportation raids are spreading across the nation, keeping many illegal immigrants away from work.
Thousands of illegal immigrants stayed home this week amid rumors of immigration roundups that federal officials say were unfounded, leaving some industries scrambling for workers.
Construction and agriculture were among the industries most affected.
Katie A. Edwards, executive director of Florida's Dade County Farm Bureau, said nearly a third of farm workers did not come to the fields this week.
In lighter news, the President's father addressed the annual Acadian Ambulance luncheon Friday in Louisiana.
Former President Bush Visits Lafayette
by Marcelle FontenotFormer President George H.W. Bush captivated the audience at the annual Acadian Ambulance luncheon Friday afternoon. The former president praised the people of this area for their response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. President Bush also said through the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund, $125 million was raised for hurricane recovery.
"It was a deeply rewarding task for me..." Bush says. "We were motivated in large [part] by the dedication during in the aftermath. A lot of people were surprised to see [us] working together...in fact Barbara still calls us the odd couple." President 41, as he is commonly called, says he is extemely proud of his work...but admits he is most proud of seeing his son as President of the United States.
"People ask me what's harder, you being criticized or your son. By far it's is my son. You know how it is when your son is called out at home plate when he's actually safe, it just makes you mad."
Former President Bush says he's served his country and has stepped away from the political arena, and says the titles he holds now matter most.
"That's father, grandfather and husband."
THE WEEK AHEAD: Just as an aside, I'll be interested to see how incoming White House Press Secretary Tony Snow handles announcements of the President's week ahead schedule.
May 3: The President welcomes German chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House
May 4: President Bush meets with the President Vazquez of Uruguay
May 4: Vice President Dick Cheney travels to Lithuania, Kazakhstan, and Croatia
May 6: President Bush delivers the commencement address at Oklahoma State University
ALSO UPCOMING:
May 11: President Bush delivers the commencement address at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, MS
May 21: Former President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush are the commencement speakers at the George Washington University in Washington, DC
Must have been his mother.
Its over! thank goodness
WHY is Helen sitting at the front table???
Absolutely pathetic
very little applause for his video...and performance....sad, sad, sad......
Amen to W and his chain saw!
I don't think I can ever remember watching an act bomb so badly.
You didn't seen Helen chasing after Colbert in his "audition" video for press secretary?
Too funny! ;^D
Terrible. The worst I have seen.
I can't wait to see what Colbert has to say about his performance on his show come Monday.
You haven't heard her sing.
there is our tony
Man, the President and First Lady hustled outta there real quick at the end. I don't blame them.
I think he was the only guy who could have made Don Imus look like a sucess!
I'd love to know what Ann Compton is saying to Tony Snow. It looks interesting.
Cruel and unusual punishment for sure....McCain should have run up and stopped it!!
I bet this guy has made President Bush look like a "victim" tonight....
OHHH Tony Snow standing talking to Ann Compton...I bet they are glad that is finally over.
Yes, I saw her. Is that why she ranks a seat at the head table?
I hope it's, 'I'm really sorry.'
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