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President Visits White House Press Briefing Room Prior to Renovation
Bush made a surprise visit to the press briefing today, and I gotta say, it was a blast! You see, by this transcript, one wouldn't have guessed that our president is dealing with a disaster in Iraq, a region on fire, bust-your-wallet gas prices, an uncertain hurricane season, or any of the myriad of problems facing the nation these days. Just count how many times (laughter) appears in this rather short briefing:
Q Just a couple of questions.
THE PRESIDENT: I know you've been complaining about the digs for a while. (Laughter.) So this is like the end of an old era. And let me just say, we felt your pain. And so we decided, you know, to help you renovate and come up with a new Brady center.
And so I want to thank the former spin meisters for joining me up here. Tell my people how to do it, will you? I mean, it's a -- (laughter.)
But, anyway, Laura and I wanted to come by and wish you all the best as you get to new headquarters for a while. I look forward to welcome you back here in, I guess, six or seven months. Is that right?
Q Nine months. We hope.
Q We're setting no timetables, Mr. President. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: That's what you get when you bring your crackpot up from Texas. (Laughter.)
Q No comment, sir. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: So, like, suede chairs? (Laughter.) Is that what you're looking -- kind of velvet armchairs? Armchairs. Everybody wants to be able to lean back.
It looks a little crowded in here. And so you want to double the size?
Q Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: Forget it. (Laughter.) You get to work like the rest of us. We may let you have some air conditioning if we decide to. (Laughter.)
Anyway, good luck in the new building. Looking forward to seeing you over there.
Q Can we come see you?
THE PRESIDENT: I don't know. Does the air conditioner work better there than here? (Laughter.)
Q Yes.
THE PRESIDENT: The last time I had a press conference in here, it felt like it was outside. As a matter of fact, some of your makeup was running. (Laughter.)
Q Mr. President, should Mel Gibson be forgiven? (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: Is that you and Gregory standing back there?
Q I was there first. (Laughter.)
THE PRESIDENT: You know --
Q -- complaining of the Jews --
THE PRESIDENT: Is that Sam Donaldson? (Laughter.) Forget it. You're a has-been. We don't have to answer has-been's questions.
Q Ohhhhh!
Q Mr. President, do you want to say a little about the White House press corps, please?
THE PRESIDENT: Say something about the White House press corps?
Q Yes, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: It's a beautiful bunch of people. (Laughter.)
Q How about your best moment in here, sir? Can you remember your --
THE PRESIDENT: My best moment in here is when my press conference ended. (Laughter.)
Q (Inaudible) -- about Mel Gibson --
THE PRESIDENT: I can't hear you, I'm over 60, just like you. (Laughter.)
Q -- Ronald Reagan could get away with that, sir.
THE PRESIDENT: He was over 60, as well. At any rate, as you can tell, I'm thrilled to be here. (Laughter.) But we do wish you all the best. Looking forward to being here when you kick off the new room. You deserve better than this. I appreciate the relationship with the press. I know these folks enjoyed the -- enjoyed dealing with you -- well, another crowd of you, been dealing with you, as well. It's an important relationship.
MR. LOCKHART: Some of the same crowd.
THE PRESIDENT: Well, you're the head of the whole thing. Like, have you got a thing -- a role to play?
Q No, no, no
THE PRESIDENT: Okay, good. But anyway, good luck.
Q What about Crawford?
THE PRESIDENT: For those of you going to Crawford, saddle up. All right, good to see you.
MR. SNOW: Thank you, everybody.
END 2:07 P.M. EDT
I think I counted seventeen (laughter)s. I'm beginning to think that Bush should join Dane Cook's Tourgasm, since I think any comic would give his left hand to score 17 laughs in such a short timespan, especially with a press corps that's paid to ask tough questions. It's good to see that everyone is in good spirits! Don't get me wrong, a sense of humor is one of those things that can help you keep your sanity during troubling times. They say that laughter is the best medicine. But c'mon! Did I catch a shot at Sam Donaldson in there? Mel Gibson? Do your jobs.
