Bush Pokes Fun At Himself At Media Dinner

Acknowledges Low Approval Rating, Attorneys Flap, Other Washington Foibles

(CBS/AP)  At an annual dinner for broadcasters, President Bush poked fun at himself and a few others in remarks that drew laughter and applause.

"A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone," Mr. Bush said at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner Wednesday.

"Ah," he said, "those were the good ol' days."

"That really kind of sums up where this president is right now," CBS News chief Washington correspondent Bob Schieffer said on CBS News' The Early Show.

The president thanked the association for providing the dinner, "and I'd like to thank Senator Webb for providing security."

Virginia's new Democratic senator, Jim Webb, had to explain this week why an aide was carrying a loaded handgun as he tried to enter a Capitol complex building.

Noting that Vice President Dick Cheney was not in attendance at the event at a Washington hotel, President Bush said: "He's had a rough few weeks. To be honest, his feelings were kind of hurt. He said he was going on vacation to Afghanistan, where people like him."

Cheney's recent trip to Afghanistan was marked by a bombing near where he was meeting with officials.

On the controversy over the Justice Department's firing of eight federal prosecutors, Mr. Bush said: "I have to admit we really blew the way we let those attorneys go. You know you've botched it when people sympathize with lawyers."

Acknowledging Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi at the head table, the president said some had wondered how he'd get along with her. "Some say she's bossy, she's opinionated, she's not to be crossed," he said. "Hey, I get along with my mother."

Looking ahead to life after leaving the White House, Mr. Bush said he might follow President Bill Clinton's lead and produce a memoir.

"I'm thinking of something really fun and creative for mine," he said. "You know, maybe a pop-up book."

Possible titles: "How W. Got His Groove Back," "Who Moved My Presidency?" and "Tuesday with Cheney."

Mr. Bush noted that another person missing from the audience of broadcast journalists was Sen. Barack Obama, the Illinois Democrat running for president.

"Not enough press," the president cracked.

But there was an undercurrent amid the jokes.

"I'd call it 'a bittersweet night,'" says CBS News White House correspondent Peter Maer. "The emotional presence of the late David Bloom's young daughters to help present an award named for their dad provoked many tears among his colleagues. Also hanging over the dinner and a major topic of conversation: the absence of the ailing Tony Snow," the White House press secretary.

On April 6, 2003, David Bloom, 39, an American journalist for NBC television, embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, died from an apparent blood clot near Baghdad.

Comics from the TV show "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" provided the professional humor. Among other things, they persuaded Bush political adviser Karl Rove to participate in an improvised rap song.

The black-tie dinner, the group's 63rd annual gathering of journalists, politicians and their guests, features political and topical humor.

[abbe7]

Don't tell me Colbert wasn't invited ???

[skyk-2009]

From great statesmen like Franklin Roosevelt and Thomas Jefferson we have fallen to this! How sad is that??

[harp1963]

Isn't there anyone out there with the authority to convict this man in a court of law for all the unneccessary pain and suffering he and his cronies have caused this great nation?

[patriotic9]

BUSH DOESN'T CARE.
He got what he needed.Why should he care about dying soldiers in Iraq by our own tax maoney he is giving to an ISLAMIC RADICAL "MALIKI" for the killing of our finest men and women in uniform.
He can't be the President for the third term,his mission is accomplished in Iraq as he said himself

"SADDAM HUSSAIN IS THE MAN WHO ONCE TRIED TO KILL MY DADDY"

He is not stupid.He fooled Americans big time.

[us_infidel]

Libs need to get a sense of humor.

[patriotic9]

"A year ago my approval rating was in the 30s, my nominee for the Supreme Court had just withdrawn, and my vice president had shot someone," Mr. Bush said at the Radio and Television Correspondents' Association dinner Wednesday.

He is as care free as his Mom who issued this statement for the Hurricane Katrina victims

"THOSE PEOPLE WERE UNDERPRIVILIGED ANY WAY"

It seems like his selfishness and lack of care for Americans has genetic predisposition.

He is having great time as he achieved what he wanted to achieve.Who cares about NON-SENSE AMERICANS?
Does anybody know why he doesn't refer to GOD,JESUS and BIBLE anymore?
Was religion also a tool to fool the people of United States?

[antoniof123]

It has been said that life is funnier than any joke a comic can tell. But people have suffered so much and it just isn't funny at all. History is written and will not be changed in 100 years the information from the stored data will still be here. The historian's will be studying this administration and the party that was in power and wonder how it got so bad. They will try to understand it and yet they will always just be trying because it makes no sense.

[patriotic9]

Libs need to get a sense of humor.
Posted by us_infidel at 08:50 AM : Mar 29, 2007

"SENSE OF HUMOR" on the dead bodies of US troops.You know what is so humorous,OSAMA BIN LADEN is OSAMA BEEN-FORGOTTEN,A secular guy named SADDAM who was fighting our war against the ISLAMIC RADICALS of his country and IRAN has been removed from power by our TAX MONEY and our SOLDIERS' LIVES and a RADICAL ISLAMIST who is practically a GOVERNOR of IRAQ appointed by those IRANIAN AYATOLLAHs who call us THE GREATEST SATAN has been brought into power,he is taking our TAX MONEY on the name of REBUILDING IRAQ and our WEAPONS on the name of ARMING IRAQI SECURITY FROCES to kill our troops and we can't do anything.
Bush doesn't care about anything at all except himself!

[extremophil]

How dare the President act flippant and funny! That's the job of pinheaded liberal comedians.

[imprisonbush]

us_infidel writes: [quote] Libs need to get a sense of humor. [unquote]

No. Libs need to get a new President. One that knows that while his Administration is in fact one big joke, it's NOT a lauging matter. His policies are directly responsible for the death and destruction of many, many lives and fortunes. I am sure he and Rove will have a great chuckle after they decide that he's failed so badly and not up for reelection that he's got nothing to lose by dropping a nuke on Iran -- these are sick, sick people in power. We will all have a wonderful laugh when he and his corrupt croonies are out of power, in some dark and secure dungeon somewhere (sentenced to death) and someone intelligent is once again leading this country, trying to repair the vast damage that these Republicans have created by their deliberate designs of corruption and incompetence.

[motherjones-2009]

Bush doesn't have the intellect or temperment to be president. It was like giving a toddler a gun to play with. He's a puppet who is in way over his head. But stupidity is no excuse. With his evil deeds, he has forfeited his right to simple compassion.

[processor2]

How dare the President act flippant and funny! That's the job of pinheaded liberal comedians.
Posted by extremophil at 09:01 AM : Mar 29, 2007


Fantastic EXTREMOPHIL

[aaabee-2009]

...*** Cheney...feelings were kind of hurt. He said he was going on vacation to Afghanistan, where people like him."

Well, stop the world. VP Cheney has feelings.

Welcome to being down in the dumps like rest of America, Mr. Cheney. If you want to see where OUR pain comes from take a look in the mirror.

It isn't easy being labeled as the dump for all the worlds ills, is it Mr. Cheney? Some of your citizens have undeservedly carried that label for the whole of your administration, Mr. Cheney. A bit unfair, is it, Mr. Cheney? Go talk to Rush Limbaugh, he will sympathize with you, for as long as you are towing what he feels is the correct GOP line anyway.

Sincerily,
A Liberal

[huskerarmy]

And we criticize him for not being proactive. Here he goes poking fun of himself before the rest of us got around to it.

[huskerarmy]

"Libs need to get a sense of humor."
Posted by us_infidel at 08:50 AM : Mar 29, 2007

As a "lib," let me go on record as saying that you, infidel, are in fact responsible for bringing me chuckles quite frequently.

[processor2]

How dare the President act flippant and funny! That's the job of pinheaded liberal comedians.
Posted by extremophil at 09:01 AM : Mar 29, 2007


Fantastic EXTREMOPHIL

[realpatriot1]

Processor2,

This is a time worn photo opp strategy that politicians use when their popularity is in the toilet...Nancy Reagan began it by joking about her designer gowns and extravagant jewelry when the country was in recession. It's ok to laugh so long as we remeber that the underlying subjects aren't the least bit funny.

[xsoldier2]

motherjones making judgments through hatred is very stupid also. Stupidity comes in many forms. If you can back any of the accusations with facts, please do so. I like making my mind up from verifiable information and facts. That is the Conservative way. God bless you.

[huskerarmy]

extremophil/ processor,
I would love to see either or both of you debate "pinhead liberal" comedians like John Stuart... that would be truely entertaining.

[xsoldier2]

huskerarmy Libs chuckle me quiet offend also. It is funny how they can take facts and turn them around. Also how they can witch hunt out of season.

[huskerarmy]

"I like making my mind up from verifiable information and facts. That is the Conservative way."
O.K. now I'm really in stitches. That's hysterical... Stop it! You're killing me!!! You guys really do have a sense of humor!!!

[aaabee-2009]

like making my mind up from verifiable information and facts. That is the Conservative way. God bless you. Posted by xsoldier2 at 09:47 AM : Mar 29, 2007

I keep asking you what your administration has done these past 7 years for this country, you know like fixing health care or illegal immigration or better the economy or...any of those verifiable facts and figures that will show Bush is indeed the president you make him out to be.

You talk, now verify.

[xsoldier2]

huskerarmy and you do an interview with Bill O'riley

[huskerarmy]

"Also how they can witch hunt out of season."
Like spending millions to investigate the stain on a blue dress? That is funny stuff!

[huskerarmy]

"huskerarmy and you do an interview with Bill O'riley"
LOL! That's the best you got? Bill (Truth is irrelevant) O'really? Hysterical! At least choose to follow a liar with half a brain like well, I can't think of any right now but you know what I mean...

[huskerarmy]

"You talk, now verify."
AnnaBee, Bill O'really keeps saying that the economy is better than it's ever been. Forget "real wages," the spiraling cost of college, the health care crisis, Bill's word is "fact" enough for most righties.

[xsoldier2]

AaaBee, The economy is great the best it has ever been, Unemployment is lower than it has ever been, more people own their own home than ever, we have not been attacked in America for over 5 years, longer than the previous president. The list goes on and all can be verified through Google.. There is so much more but you can%u2019t handle it all let alone this. VA health care is easyer to get, health care is more affordable but still high and we pay less taxes.

[dallison7]

"You talk, now verify."
AnnaBee, Bill O'really keeps saying that the economy is better than it's ever been. Forget "real wages," the spiraling cost of college, the health care crisis, Bill's word is "fact" enough for most righties.



Posted by huskerarmy



Bush gave all the money we had to his rich buddies and started spending on credit!! Now we are so far in debt we may never recover.

Yeah, the economy is good... you bet!!

And all those Walmart jobs that have been created... that's what I call REAL JOB GROWTH!!

[omega39-2009]

At least he's not crawling around on his hands and knees looking for WMDs under the couch while people are getting killed.

[aaabee-2009]

Huskerarmy,
Apparently so.
All xsoldiers words are just reguritation of opinion.

Google is not a fact clearing house, it is made up of many different opinion bases. xsoldier citing Google as his verifiable fact source base? Well, he can just as easily cite Google for verification of ET's and UGO's and get it.

Xsoldier, if you honestly feel that this president has benefited this country while he and the Republicans had full control, stand up for him with something other than vaporous opinion and regurgitated GOP spin.

Facts cannot be refuted. Opinion is not fact. You don't take my opinion on anything, why should I take yours?

[huskerarmy]

%u201CUnemployment is lower than it has ever been%u2026%u201D
Although unemployment is down, very few jobs are being created, shockingly low numbers in a recovery, according to the government's Bureau of Labor Statistics (a high number of jobs are being exported). What's more, the work force, which typically grows when the economy advances, is shrinking. In December alone, 309,000 people stopped looking for work.
%u201Cmore people own their own home than ever.%u201D
Your prosperity is not reaching the working class. The rate of home ownership for low-to moderate-income families with children, especially for black families, is down even as the overall rate of home ownership increases: http://money.cnn.com/2006/03/22/real_estate/homeownership_study/index.htm
%u201Cwe have not been attacked in America for over 5 years, longer than the previous president.%u201D
Measures to make the homeland safer in the wake of 9/11. Nevertheless, there is much to be done. But our resources are being squandered in Iraq. Refer to 911 Comission Report%u2026
%u201CThe list goes on and all can be verified through Google%u2026%u201D
Indeed...
%u201CVA health care is easyer to get, health care is more affordable%u2026%u201D
I%u2019m not sure if this was a joke%u2026 VA health care? Regardless, we are in the midst of a health care crisis. Fewer Americans have access to affordable health care than in decades.

[huskerarmy]

Oh and... Thanks Google!

[tuckerndfw]

George Bush considers other people's deaths and tragedies to be humorous.

While running for president the first time, and still governor of Texas, George Bush made "jokes" about a pending execution in Texas.

(search on Karla Faye Tucker, no relation)

George Bush is a homicidal psychopath.

His legacy is no joke. He should be impeached and prosecuted.

[gkc99]

If Bushit is looking for a book title for a pop-up book, how about a biography of Gonzo entitled "My Little Burro"? Or maybe one of Dickless entitled "My Little A$$hole"?

[karlimhof]

President Bush said: "He's (Cheney) had a rough few weeks. To be honest, his feelings were kind of hurt. He said he was going on vacation to Afghanistan, where people like him."


Real funny joker this guy - those who've losted loved one should really appreciate his humor.

I'd say the biggest scumbag since ole Adolf.

[aaabee-2009]

I ask that question quite a bit on blogs.
I have yet to get an answer from a Bush defender.

I figure it is becuase Rush Limbaugh, Hannity, Coulter, O'Reilly, Savage...they spread hate verbage across the nation through their media forums to Americans who want desperately to be part of something Winning. They take flat out advantage and incite these millions of working class folks who struggle every day to make a buck. These mouthpieces point to someone, hold them up as the cause of all these working class problems, and denounce them. The working class pump their fists at the car radio and yell "yeah!! Get rid of the ba*stids" without ever asking why that group, or what did they do wrong, or asking any questions at all.

So folks like xsoldier have no answers when they are challenged. Because they don't have the time or the inclination to work out complex issues on their own, and they give their opinion power to the likes of Limbaugh and Company.

That is how we got Bush a second time, I figure. But of course, that is my opinion....

[huskerarmy]

"Now we are so far in debt we may never recover."
Dallison, Unfortunately, that "me generation" neo-con mentality allows them to pass their debts on to the next generations without so much as a flinch of conscience... They won't be around to worry about it.

[huskerarmy]

"These mouthpieces point to someone, hold them up as the cause of all these working class problems, and denounce them."
Sad but true, the mouthpieces of the plutocracy are telling them that it's their neighbors to blame, not the corporate elite, their tax deductions and incentives, and profit-at-all-cost motives. The plutocrats are in effect selling the working class their own demise... and many, so desperate to believe in the system and blame someone, have bought in.

[olebd]

Funny how this country is going south fiscally yet the hundreds of larger than life, bloated federal politicians can still ham it up because their life is as cushy as ever.

[aaabee-2009]

The silence of xsoldier2 should speak volumes about how indefensible Bush is, even by his most loyal republican defenders.

Verifiable facts need to exist before they can be presented.

Sorry, xsoldier2 for putting you on the spot. But I am not at all concerned that doing so will give you any incentive to reconsider your worldview.

[huskerarmy]

"Lets pack up and surrender in Iraq.Now we can fight the front lines of terror in Houston,Chicago,Detroit,Miami,Dallas,Mem
phis,Tulsa,Seattle,Los Angeles,Tampa,Orlando.....etc..Democrats should be proud!!!"
That's it... As soon as we leave, the Iraqis are going to get into their canoes and come after us!

[bigsk8fan]

"Lets pack up and surrender in Iraq. Now we can fight the front lines of terror in Houston, Chicago, Detroit, Miami, Dallas, Memphis,Tulsa, Seattle, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando.....etc..Democrats should be proud!!!"
Posted by b48151

Yes, the Democrats ought to be proud. This is ridiculous fearmongering at its highest. To listen to these folks you would expect herds of marauding "terrorists". We need the Democrats to reign in a warmongering President who just does NOT have a clue when he has made a huge collosal mistake. I mean whoever heard of attacking a country that did NOT attack you anyway.

[realpatriot1]

xsoldier,

I'm not going to totally rain on your parade because there is some truth in what you say but it ain't as cut and dryed as you make it out to be.

1.)National unemployment is lower now than during the Clinton boom years. I might add, since it's not based upon speculative tech bubble it might be more durable,too. It's not the lowest ever, it was lower during the Vietnam War & WW2. There are still pockets of poverty everywhere and states such as Michigan and South Carolina that need a lot of help. Many households have 2 people working which skews the statistics.

2.) Your statistically correct to say that more people own homes, but there's more to the story. More people than ever are losing their homes too.

3.)Healthcare is more affordable? Do you buy your drugs on the street?

4.) I didn't google this but I believe the first attack on the WTC(the only attack on American soil I know of before 911) was in 1993, so there were no other attacks for 7 years under the previous President. Are you talking about Waco? Oklahoma City? Langley? explain please.

[processor2]

How dare the President act flippant and funny! That's the job of pinheaded liberal comedians.
Posted by extremophil at 09:01 AM : Mar 29, 2007


Fantastic EXTREMOPHIL

[aaabee-2009]

As you can see,the democrats have no CLUE when it comes to the war on terrorism. Posted by b48151 at 10:49 AM : Mar 29, 2007

And you do.
Well tell me how many countries harbor extremists?
Just the two we currently fight in or maybe more?
How thin can you spread our troops?

How well funded and manned is our homeland security?
How secure is America, since 9/11?
Of the US budget, how much of our money goes overseas to war and reconstruction and how much money stays here to increase our border and internal security?
Are we less vulnerable to attack now in 2007 than we were in 9/11?

Do you feel safer?

[aaabee-2009]

processor2, your needle is stuck. Try jumping up and down a little.

ps: call home.

Love,
Aunt Bee

[heyitsme_76]

Well.. That's exactly how this clown gets away with every wrong doing.. Make people laugh and they'll forgive and forget all these years of screw-ups.. And you wonder how that other clown 'Sanjaya Malakar' is still around on American Idol.. People who vote for such folks are clearly responsible..

[perception5]

Well our President's poll numbers are at least "higher" then the Dem controlled 110th "Do-Nothing" Congress.
Latest Gallup poll shows that Americans approval of our new Congress at 28%.
Latest Rasmussen poll has our President at 40%........ not sure why CBS doesn't publish these numbers? .....but I think we all know why....but lets keep pretending......

[random_radar]

Everything Mr. Bush says gets laughter and applause. But this time is was intended.

They often tell comics not to quit their day job, but in this case maybe it be good for Mr. Bush.

[aaabee-2009]

only a matter of time before we are hit again at home. Posted by b48151 at 11:04 AM : Mar 29, 2007

And your well-thought out arguement affectively addresses which question?

So the extremists in England hit us. Democrats fault. Or Egypt. Democrats fault. Or Spain. Democrats fault.

So our soldiers are spread thinner to encompass Iran and Bin Laden hits us again. Democrats fault.

Terrorists come into the US through the same wide open doors that drugs get through. As a prior serviceperson on drug interdiction, we didn't have enough manpower or ships/aircraft to close those doors. Democrats fault.

Now those funds go overseas by the billions. Funds we need at home. Democrats fault.

You and processor2 should hook up. You might get one complete thought between the two of you. You are both broken records and that too, I am sure, is the Democrats fault.