White House Easter Egg Roll 2010: Looney Tunes and "Green Eggs and Ham"
It's not everyday you hear the U.S. Marine Band play the theme song from Looney Tunes.
But with thousands of children on the South Lawn of the White House for the annual Easter Egg Roll, the music of Bugs Bunny and Daffy Duck was clearly thought to resonate better than the marches of John Philip Souza.
It's also a rare occasion when you hear the president give a dramatic reading from Dr. Seuss' "Green Eggs and Ham." (at left)
"That Sam, I am, That Sam, I am. I do not like that Sam, I am," spoke President Obama, punctuating the words with the movement of his outstretched arm.
Children, egged on by their parents, politely applauded the president of his oratorical prowess.
Photos: The 2010 White House Easter Egg Roll
Mr. Obama told them the point of the story is that if their mom serves them broccoli or peas, they should give it a try and not just push it away. He wisely didn't mention that one of his predecessors, the first President Bush, barred broccoli from the White House kitchen.
A few minutes earlier, Mr. Obama shouted "ready, set..." and then blew a whistle to launch one of the hundreds of egg-rolling competitions for which this White House gathering of kids 12 and younger is named. He noticed one kid inching over the starting line and moved him back before starting the contest.
The day's ceremonies began on the White House balcony overlooking the South Lawn as Mr. Obama and family appeared to welcome the kids and parents, most of who had to compete in an online lottery for tickets to the event.
"Is everybody having a good time," shouted the president through the public address system. "Happy Easter, everybody," he said.
Led by the Easter Bunny, the first family descended the steps of the balcony and joined in the festivities on the South Lawn.
Aside from officiating an egg roll and reading to the crowd, the president also lent his support to those kids shooting hoops on his basketball court.
He stood in line with some kids for his turn to take a shot. He missed the first one, stood in line again and sank one on his second try. (watch at left)
As he headed off the court, he couldn't resist taking another shot at the hoop.
He shoots and misses. Shoots and misses. And finally, shoots and scores.
Not unlike his efforts to get his health care legislation into law.
More Basketball: Obama Plays with CBS' Clark Kellogg at the White House
