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
That was absolutely the worst act I have ever had the misfortune of witnessing!!!
EVERYONE in that room, or watching TV knows it.
Colbert's career should be OVER.
Worst correspondence dinner...EVER.
Who is that lady sitting there? I saw her rub his back. Is that his wife?
Judging by the President's reaction, he hated it. He all but ran for the exit, LOL, and I don't blame him one bit. Laura looked like she was about to cry.
The President's "skit" saved the night!
Either that or she gets to sit there because she is the only member of the White House Press Association to have attended all 92 of the WHPA dinners.
I agree. The worst performance I've ever seen. It was horrible. He knew it too by the thud at the end. Hardly anyone clapped. Did you notice that Laura was kinda cool towards him when he got off. Can't blame her.
>>>Cruel and unusual punishment for sure....McCain should have run up and stopped it!!<<<
ROFL! Best joke tonight!
Finally! A somewhat funny joke. LOL.
I was thinking the same thing!
Colbert should be down on his knees right now now thanking his maker that he works in an industry that doesn't judge you by your successes or failures but only by their magnitudes. His buddies in the entertainment industry probaly thought he did a good job.
"Either that or she gets to sit there because she is the only member of the White House Press Association to have attended all 92 of the WHPA dinners."
LOL - true.
After having to suffer through that performance, I DON'T BLAME THEM
I really didn't think he was gonna be that bad. He was absolutely AWFUL. I didn't hear him say one funny thing.
Rush always says that true comedy has to have a touch of truth to it. That is why GW was so damn funny we all know that is how he feels about the media.
Leni
I'm glad I didn't actually watch it, only listened. That was bad enough.
The humor of guys like Colbert and Stewart can be funny to smart aleck teenagers and guys in their early 20's. But they have very little connection to anyone older.
LOL! She probably is!
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