A day in the life of Pres. Bush (4/22/07): news/pics from WH Correspondents Dinner (welcome back TS)

WhiteHouse.gov & various ^ | 4/22/07

[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 C01

Global 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' dinner

WASHINGTON (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 ET

WARSAW (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 ET

WASHINGTON (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.

[Bahbah]

He’s tanned, he’s rested, and, by golly, he’s ready.

[speekinout]

no doubt the same people will compare GWB with some future President or candidate the same way they are doing with Reagan today.

Snugs, I have no doubt that's going to happen. I don't want to start a food fight here by saying why, except for the fact that when we've had good men in office whose first priority is the good of this nation, rather than their own well-being, history has judged them far better than their contemporaries ever did.

[defconw]

Thanks. Stress abounds!

[TheBethsterNH]

What was Laurie David and Sheryl Crow doing there anyway? I thought this event was for journalists, which those two are definately not.

[Carolinamom]

I think calling ourselves 'Patriotic Americans' in lieu of 'conservatives' would sufficiently differentiate us from Democrats.

I'm so very thankful to you, Wolfstar, for posting the Dose tonight....a blessed place.

[ilovew]

This is not a candidate thread. Why don’t you take your childish namecalling elsewhere?

[ilovew]

Someone must’ve invited them. Probably knew they would cause trouble.

[RichInOC]

Friendly suggestion for the future, EYE (if you have one)...don't post a picture that somebody else can use to mock you, like so:

"Why do I always get the idiots?"

[snugs]

Time I was off to bed - night all - see you tomorrow

[GretchenM]

Hi Wolfie - haven’t gotten to the photos yet 6ut wanted to say I LOVE this:

“Bush will meet with the President of Poland to discuss placing an anti-missile shield in Poland.”

Thanks for another edition.

[DrDeb]

Thanks so much for posting the photo at #124 . . . I think this photo says it all that needs to be said about our President’s heart and soul!!!

[dmd25]

Thanks so much for posting the photo at #124 . . . I think this photo says it all that needs to be said about our President’s heart and soul!!!

You are welcome and so correct in your comment about our beloved POTUS.

[kitkat]

Many, many happy years as Mrs. Cibco. Hope you’ll have pix of the wedding for us.

[DrDeb]

TONY DUNGY, (Christian) head coach of the World Champion Indianapolis Colts will host “Ask the White House” tomorrow afternoon at 4 PM EST!
http://www.whitehouse.gov/ask/question.html

You can truly judge a man by the quality of his friends and the President certainly has a lot of AWESOME friends —TONY DUNGY and TONY SNOW immediately come to mind!

[DrDeb]

CONGRATULATIONS on your upcoming wedding . . . I wish you and your husband every happiness and success as you begin your new life together!!

[STARWISE]

Thanks, Wolfie == interesting to see W in spectacles at the end of his nose, although I have seen him use them in the Oval Office at least once.

Tony looked awesome, and his spirits were so inspiring .. just wonderful. God bless him in his healing.

Other than those two positives, I thought the evening as an event just stunk. W was the only source of class. Richard Little .. a little too past his prime .. was totally inane and very inappropriate in that one joke. NOT funny at all.

The mood and angst of the week played into it, I’m sure, but Little-with-the-overdyed hair and regurgitated schtick bombed.

I’m praying for a saner week, and relief for W from these vicious intrusions into the power of HIS presidency and constitutional duties. Hope you and the kitties are fine.

[luvie]

He might be thin, but it is SO good to see Tony and to see that he looks pretty good for someone who has gone through so much. Thanks for these. I can breathe again!

God bless and keep him and his family.

God bless the president and HIS family, too.

[Earthdweller]

Excellent photos of Tony and W. God Bless them both.

Thanks for the ping dinasour.