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Bush pokes fun at his successors | Bush pokes fun at his successors |
(about 5 hours later) | |
US President George W Bush poked fun at his potential successors during his last White House Correspondents' Association dinner. | US President George W Bush poked fun at his potential successors during his last White House Correspondents' Association dinner. |
The president said he was surprised they were not in the audience before making jokes at their expense. | The president said he was surprised they were not in the audience before making jokes at their expense. |
Referring to Republican candidate John McCain's absence, he said: "He probably wanted to distance himself from me." | Referring to Republican candidate John McCain's absence, he said: "He probably wanted to distance himself from me." |
The annual dinner dates back to 1924 and is attended by media personalities, celebrities and politicians. | The annual dinner dates back to 1924 and is attended by media personalities, celebrities and politicians. |
President Bush also put forward mock excuses on behalf of the Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. | President Bush also put forward mock excuses on behalf of the Democratic presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. |
Taking a jibe at controversies which have dogged their campaigns, he said: "Hillary Clinton couldn't get in because of sniper fire and Senator Obama's at church." | Taking a jibe at controversies which have dogged their campaigns, he said: "Hillary Clinton couldn't get in because of sniper fire and Senator Obama's at church." |
He was referring to Mrs Clinton's "mis-speak" when she erroneously claimed she faced sniper fire on a trip to Bosnia in the 1990s; and Mr Obama's pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who criticised America in fiery sermons. | He was referring to Mrs Clinton's "mis-speak" when she erroneously claimed she faced sniper fire on a trip to Bosnia in the 1990s; and Mr Obama's pastor, Reverend Jeremiah Wright, who criticised America in fiery sermons. |
The president admitted to being a "little wistful" at his final dinner, and video clips of his previous performances were broadcast. | The president admitted to being a "little wistful" at his final dinner, and video clips of his previous performances were broadcast. |
He finished by conducting the US Marine band in a medley of patriotic marches. | He finished by conducting the US Marine band in a medley of patriotic marches. |
Retirement plans | Retirement plans |
Mr Bush was followed by Craig Ferguson, host of US television's the Late Late Show. | Mr Bush was followed by Craig Ferguson, host of US television's the Late Late Show. |
Scottish-born Mr Ferguson asked Mr Bush what he was planning to do after leaving office, suggesting: "You could look for a job with more vacation time." | Scottish-born Mr Ferguson asked Mr Bush what he was planning to do after leaving office, suggesting: "You could look for a job with more vacation time." |
The president has been criticised for the amount of time he has spent away from the White House during his presidency. | The president has been criticised for the amount of time he has spent away from the White House during his presidency. |
Vice-President Dick Cheney, Mr Ferguson said, "is already moving out of his residence. It takes longer than you think to pack up an entire dungeon". | Vice-President Dick Cheney, Mr Ferguson said, "is already moving out of his residence. It takes longer than you think to pack up an entire dungeon". |
The White House Correspondents' Association presented its annual awards during the dinner on Saturday in front of a crowd of VIPs, including author Salman Rushdie, singer Ashlee Simpson and actors Ben Affleck and Pamela Anderson. | The White House Correspondents' Association presented its annual awards during the dinner on Saturday in front of a crowd of VIPs, including author Salman Rushdie, singer Ashlee Simpson and actors Ben Affleck and Pamela Anderson. |
Mr Bush's appearance at the event continues a tradition begun by US President Calvin Coolidge in 1924. | Mr Bush's appearance at the event continues a tradition begun by US President Calvin Coolidge in 1924. |
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