President Bush Grilled By Second Graders
By CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller:
There was no "dinner for two" prize for the second grader at the Kearny School in Philadelphia today when he stumped the President.
"How many bathrooms?" repeated the President – as if to make sure he understood the question.
"Uh – there's a lot," he said. "I'd have to spend time counting them, but there's a lot of them."
Don't bother, sir. Your press office checked for me and reports there at 36 bathrooms in the White House mansion. More still in the East and West Wings.
It sounds like the kind of thing the Obama Family might have asked about in recent days.
The next question sounded a bit easier – but also proved momentarily troublesome. A little girl asked if Mr. Bush has enjoyed being the President.
"I did like it," he said, but then got stuck when he tried to tell the kid that he's only got a few more days in the job.
"How many more days, Karen....twelve?" Mr. Bush asked an aide. Twelve it is.
Putting the number aside, Pres. Bush turned reflective, telling the kids about life as Chief Executive.
"You know – some days have been happy. Some days not so happy. But I have found that every day has been a joyous experience."
It's possible the children might feel the same about second grade.
There was one more question to go. Where will the President live when he leaves the White House? That took a bit of explaining too.
"I haven't seen the new house in Texas yet," said Mr Bush. The First Lady quickly interjected that she bought their new home in Dallas.
"Laura went and got it," the President said, "I haven't had a chance to see it."
He clearly felt a bit more explanation was due to the children about moving into a house he hasn't yet laid eyes on.
"That's called faith," he said.
No one asked about his mortgage.
