Tony Snow's White House Serenade

Among The Light Moments At Congressional Picnic On White House Lawn

(CBS/AP)  President Bush and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were arm in arm, posing for the cameras. Chief White House political adviser Karl Rove worked the crowd. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow played the flute, and strains of a New Orleans jazz band filled the air, as Mr. Bush hosted the annual Congressional picnic – on the White House lawn.

"You all enjoy yourself," said President Bush, who ambled out on the lawn with first lady Laura Bush to greet his guests, including many of his longtime political adversaries.

"Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over," he joked just before Kermit Ruffins and the Barbecue Swingers struck up a rendition of "When the Saints Go Marching in."

Further evoking New Orleans, Mardi Gras beads were on hand and drivers in top hats ferried some of the estimated 1,500 guests around the White House driveway in horse-drawn carriages.

The food was also Big Easy style.

"I want to thank our chef, Paul Prudhomme - one of the great chefs in America. Thanks for coming, Paul," said President Bush, praising one of New Orleans' best known kitchen maestros.

The lawn was dotted with picnic tables topped in yellow and white checked tablecloths.

The picnic at the GOP-controlled White House comes at a time that Democrats control Congress. Republicans were still in charge at the time of last year's picnic.

Mr. Bush thanked leaders of both chambers for attending, and pointed out that Pelosi was in the crowd. "It means a lot that you've come," said the president, greeting the California Democrat who has been a powerful critic of his administration.

Last year, White House chief of staff Josh Bolten came close to stealing the show along with his band, The Compassionates. They appeared like the Blues Brothers in dark shades, white shirts and ties, ending their set with "Born To Be Wild."

This year, White House spokesman Tony Snow played with his band, called Beats Workin'. Snow's band kept the Louisiana theme going with its version of "Johnny B. Goode." Snow then played a flute solo while walking around the stage in jeans, an orange shirt and sneakers. The Doobie Brothers' hit, "China Grove," was the finale.

"I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of mediocre musicians ... uh, great musicians," said Mr. Bush, enjoying the chance to zing his press secretary.

Spotted in the crowd were Education Secretary Margaret Spelling, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff, and White House budget director Rob Portman, who announced Tuesday that he is resigning.

And what about the food?

You had to be there to really get the idea, but if you're just curious about the eats at such a lofty event, you're in luck – here's the menu, made public Tuesday by Laura Bush's media office:


MENU FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL PICNIC

Tables with Cheese, Vegetables, Breads and Fruit
Barbequed Shrimp Station with Toast Points

Spinach Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing and Garnishes
Potato Salad
Butter Beans
Fried Green Tomatoes with St. Charles Sauce

Blackened Fish
Bronzed Beef, Gingersnap Gravy
Fried Chicken
Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Bread Baskets

Vanilla Ice Cream with Garnishes and Chocolate Sauce
Sweet Potato Pecan Pie Squares with Chantilly Cream
Pecan Pralines
Sugar Cookies

Coffee with Chicory
Beignets

New Orleans "Magnolia Lemonade"

[olebd]

Like they need to pampered more. How much did this cost us and who authorized it? A chef for a picnic? I'm sure they had plenty of illegals available to "help clean up"

[rushlimpdrug]

Doesn't *** Chenney play them all?

In any case the N.O. theme is great. Shoulda' had some upside down cake or mud pies.

[creeper00]

I wonder what New Orleanians feel when they read this? For the president to choose a Big Easy theme after having failed utterly to protect or help that beautiful city seems cynical beyond belief.

We should be used to cynicism by now. This administration excels at it...from the perversion of the Justice Department to the trashing of our Constitution to flouting Baker/Hamilton on Iraq. Their contempt for us and for our country is boundless.

[gkc99]

I expect the folks of New Orleans can suggest something for Bushit and Chickenshithawk and the rest of the brown-nosers to eat.

Tony Snow--you're not cute. No matter what pathetic act you put on. You're an enabler of evil--the mouth of Sauron.

[preacherbob1]

"I wonder what New Orleanians feel when they read this? For the president to choose a Big Easy theme after having failed utterly to protect or help that beautiful city seems cynical beyond belief.

We should be used to cynicism by now. This administration excels at it...from the perversion of the Justice Department to the trashing of our Constitution to flouting Baker/Hamilton on Iraq. Their contempt for us and for our country is boundless".
Posted by creeper00

This is the most intellegent, insightful comment I have ever seen on this CBS blog which can delve into lows unheard of in the past.

Thank you creeper00!

Dixie Bob

[micma-2009]

Q: What do New Orleans and Iraq have in common.

A: Bush promised to rebuild both and didn't.

[brianbwb-2009]

I bet the Guest list reflects the bipartisan fleecing of America, and the world.

Doesn't Ms. Pelosi realize that ten or tewnty years from now, her photo with Bush will be seen like those who posed for photos with Hitler, 60 years earlier?

Hope everyone enjoyed their meal...

[neoconrcrazy]

strains of a New Orleans jazz band filled the air, as Mr. Bush hosted the annual Congressional picnic %u2013


ain't that fitting....a party hosted by a man who did so much New Orleans......

and I'm sure he doesn't get it - or anyone else in DC -

[rharrin1]

Tony probably does the skin flute well also.

"Chief White house adviser Karl Rove Worked the Crowd" Well that's what he does. Tony Snow as the Pied Piper? Well that's what he does too.... Thanks again creeper00 you very eloquently gave voice to our thoughts....meanwhile "Bush fiddles (and Tony Blows)while American's Truth and Justice Burns"

[cosmicfluke]

oh, the irony...

play on, Tony.
(you lying sack of sh*t)

[rushlimpdrug]

What a joke to play on the N.O. people.
The only way they could have topped it was to do a "fly over" during the festivities.

"Make sure you pick up all the trash after it's over," he joked

[dodaz-2009]

Duesch bag.. Tony, did i spell "Duesch" correctly?...ah--thank you very muuuch.

[hungry1968]

"President Bush and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi were arm in arm, posing for the cameras. Chief White House political adviser Karl Rove worked the crowd. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow played the flute, and strains of a New Orleans jazz band filled the air, as Mr. Bush hosted the annual Congressional picnic %u2013 on the White House lawn."

"The Interior Ministry reported Wednesday that the death toll had risen to 87, with another 214 injured in the blast. The U.S. military said Tuesday that it had tallied 35 killed and 65 wounded in the attack, based on figures from a local hospital. Six of those killed lived in a house behind the mosque, a police official said. Twenty cars were incinerated and 25 shops damaged."

Fiddling while Rome burns? At least Nero didn't start the fire!!!!

[bareemperor]

Hmmm - reminds me a little of that saying - Nero fiddled while Rome burned...

Of course, in Washingtoon, Tony played with his 'lyre', and blamed the Muslems instead of the Christians...

[wfbdem]

What!?!?!
No fiddle?

[starleo146]

Tony you are loving it aren't you? Well let me tell you you are sick, go home and rest for a long, long time,I cannot stand that spin you give that Bush lying spin get out of our lives buddy.

[infidel_us]

What a bunch of bedwetting lib crybabys!! You people are pathetic.

[terrapin78]

This is news?

[adventurepa]

MENU FOR THE CONGRESSIONAL PICNIC
I wonder how many hungry children that picnic could have feed in America?
The group that needs to eat the least, stuffing their bellies.
New Orleans "Magnolia Lemonade" what a slap in the face for all who lost everything because of the government mismanagement.

[slim1h2o]

The menu doesn't sound like picnic food to me,
where's the Hotdogs and Hamburgers? Oh yeah that's poor people food. Hope they invited a couple homeless people. Sure

[forthepeopl1]

the people party is here already,are you ready

JULY 21 2007 IS WHEN AMERICANS WILL BE FREE AGAIN

EVERYONE THAT WANTS TO HELP WITH THIS SHOULD BE TALKING TO ALL MEDIA OUTLETS AND TELLING THEM THAT AMERICANS ARE READY TO TAKE WASHINGTON ON AND ITS NOT A FEW AMERICANS ITMILLIONS OF AMERICANS THAT WILL TAKE BACK THERE COUNTRY..

I AM WILLING TO GIVE MY BLOOD FOR ALL AMERICANS TO GET OUR COUNTRY BACK TO WHAT OUR FORFATHERS WANTED.

AM A VET AND AM READY TO TAKE CHARGE OF THIS AMERICAN BOYCOT/COOP IF WE THE PEOPLE DONT DO THIS NOW WE WILL BE GIVENING UP ON OUR CONSTITUTION AND WHAT ALL OUR VET HAVE DIED FOR..

DAVID A BELANGER,VET US ARMY,[e-mail]

ok so wants to join in on this great american REVOLUTION


they cant kill millions of americans at once so if we charge them all at once we will win and take them out and hang them all..

just like in the old days of the west...hang them from the trees in front of the whitehouse and see how many start telling the truth about what they have done to all us americans..


if the american NOW dont stand up and start a NATIONAL REVOUTION ON THIS WASHINGTON BULL S/H/I/T/ THEN we as TRUE AMERICANS can say nothing!!!

its time to take all this *** and take our government back now..

they are the ones that started this and we will finnish it now..we the people will take our country back and everyone in washington can sit there and thinks we the people are ok with what they are doing..

[cdemby]

I am so embarrassed that this man (Bush)
is having such a wonderful time cavorting
while war is raging in so many places and
people and our soldiers are dying needlessly
Is Bush saying--Let them eat cake?

[forthepeopl1]

AMERICANS SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVE TO LET THIS *** TO BE STILL GOING ON.

THIS SHOULD SHOW EVERYONE THAT THIS GOVERNEMNT DOESN'T CARE WHATS HAPPENING OVER SEAS

EVERYDAY OUR TROOPS DIE FOR THE PRESIDENTS PLEASURE.

AND AMERICANS DONT WANT TO SAY OR DO ANYTHING..GREAT JOB AMERICANS

[davidsechler]

Please forgive me for my negative nature, but the first few comments I read were just too ugly... First, we need to recognize the great Kermit Ruffins for his trip requested by the White House! Hey you unhappy cats- life still goes on, and you idiots talk like you know the whole truth. The truth is: You will never see all the information the President of The United States sees to bring him to the decisions he makes. Do you, any of you, think you could do the job if you were elected? Is there any way you could ever even be elected? How long do you think we should sit back and watch terror unfold from The Middle East in our neighborhoods, and in our Brother's neighborhoods before we step up to the plate? You cats can think you know more than President Bush all you want, but in my opinion he's only doing what needed to be done many, many years ago. The man is cool. And what a great thing for him to honor the "coolest cat," Mr. Kermit Ruffins. It's all business as usual, regardless. That's the way it's always been, and that's the way it'll always be. You negative cats need to visit New Orleans, and get a taste of true life, and love. Speak your minds, but please stop acting like closed-minded idiots. Do you realize that the President of The United States has better information than anyone else in THE WORLD? That's why he asked for Mr. Kermit Ruffins!!!