Excerpts from Correspondents' Dinner Pool Report
From Mike Allen's Politico Playbook.
POOL REPORT from the 93rd annual dinner of the White House Correspondents' Association - President Bush's farewell dinner:
The President, after the association's traditional toast to the President of the United States: "Please excuse me if I'm a little sleepy. At 3 a.m. this morning, the red phone rang. [Laughter] It was the damn wedding planner. ...
"Senator McCain's not here. He probably wanted to distance himself from me a little bit. You know, he's not alone. Jenna's moving out, too. ...
"Hillary Clinton couldn't get in because of sniper fire - and Senator Obama's at church.'
The Scottish-born Craig Ferguson of CBS's "The Late Late Show" cracked the Washington-dinner comedy code, tickling the President, Mrs. Bush, the Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, while also getting rave reviews from one of the toughest crowds around. One of Ferguson's secret: Take a shot at The New York Times, a surefire recipe for applause from both the head table and the audience.
These days, the President is not just Father of the Bride - but also Maestro in Chief! He got a roaring standing ovation for drolly conducting the United States Marine Band in John Philip Sousa's "Stars and Stripes Forever," which he has heard many thousands of times as he shook hands on rope lines over the past eight years. The peppy patriotic anthem was designated 'America's National March' by President Ronald Reagan in 1987.
Bush wielded the baton with authority, jabbing and waving as his eyebrows danced encouragement to the musicians. He even threw in puckish yet realistic hand signals to bring in or hold off different sections of the band. The surprised audience of 2,648 clapped along.
"This is a good chance to put aside our differences for a few hours," Bush said as he concluded his remarks. "And one thing we all share, whether we're native citizens or new citizens like Craig, is a tremendous appreciation for our people in uniform. An appreciation symbolized by the United States Marine Band, which is celebrating its 210th anniversary this year. [Applause.]
"I love the band. And so I'm going to say my farewell to you by doing something I've always wanted to do - and I do it in the spirit of our shared love for this country."
Then the President picked up a baton, the curtain parted, and the band marched forward.
Earlier, to the delight of photographers, he playfully leaped up on a chair while shaking hands with a towering scholarship winner.
WHCA President Ann Compton of ABC News, who presided over the dinner, got effusive compliments from the President and First Lady, who grinned and made knowing eyes at each other during Ferguson's monologue.
Craig Ferguson: "You know, Bill Clinton charges half a million bucks to give a speech. He'll talk dirty for free, but ... The vice president is already moving out of his residence. It takes longer than you think to pack up an entire dungeon. ... Tonight is the last time President Bush will be attending this dinner, something he and I have in common."
Ferguson to Bush: "I remember eight years ago, you said you were going to return dignity to the White House. And, by the way, I thought you were FANTASTIC on 'Deal or No Deal.' [Bush flashed a "you-get-me grin"] ... You ARE retiring as a young man. ... What does a president do when he retires? You could look for a job with more vacation time. [Turning to Bush, then back to audience, over laughter.] He liked that!"
AP's Jennifer Loven and Newsweek's Richard Wolffe unveiled an expanded scholarship program that raised donations from $26,000.
Wolffe to Ferguson, who was eyeing his script as they waited to go on stage: "Wanna swap?"
Ferguson, lighting up: "Is it funny?"
Pre- and after-party headlines:
-At the VIP reception before going on stage, the President had a jolly hug for Katie Couric.
-Quail and shank of wild boar were on the menu for the lunch Karl Rove cooked at his home for Fox News journalists, executives and guests. At the dinner, he sat with Newsweek. Rove cooked the wild board himself. Among his secret ingredients: rosemary.
-At the Bloomberg Afterparty, will.i.am posed for a photo with Obama wordsmith Jon Favreau. The snapper: economics adviser Austan Goolsbee. Courtney CARLSON had rescued the Black Eyed Peas star from the pour rain as he waited in line outside.
-Obama's Bill BURTON and Clinton's Jay CARSON, longtime friends, surprised journalists with a bear hug.
-McCain's STRAIGHT TALK EXPRESS limo-ed young Republican operatives - and the candidate's 96-year-old mother, Roberta McCain - from the hotel to the Costa Rican Embassy for the party. On the way into the bash, Mrs. McCain nimbly navigated the huge maze of stairs (lit in fluorescent pink). Then she stayed a good long time.
- Ben AFFLECK and Jennifer GARNER greeted Mrs. McCain VERY cordially.
-Henry KISSINGER held Mrs. McCain on both arms as they chatted.
-The party was divided into two spaces. You entered a massive, clubby room with a set of bleacher-like wooden steps for people-watching (although when Tammy Haddad and Kevin Sheekey sat up there, everyone watched THEM). Next to that was a quieter parlor that one person described as looking like a room from "Clue" because of its mirrors, chandeliers and old-school furniture.
-Pamela ANDERSON snuggled up while taking a photo with Peter WATKINS.
-Ed SKYLER settled for Miss America.
