    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2008, Book I)]
    [April 26, 2008]
    [Pages 584-585]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner
    April 26, 2008

        Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Please excuse me if I'm a little
    sleepy--3 a.m. this morning, the red phone rang. [Laughter] It was the
    damn wedding planner. [Laughter]
        Two weeks from tonight is Jenna's wedding, so
    I'm a little wistful this evening. Plus, this is my last White House
    Correspondents' dinner as President. You know, I'm not sure what I'm
    going to do next. After he left office, Vice President Gore won an Oscar and the Nobel Peace Prize. [Laughter] Hey, I
    don't know, I might win a prize--Publishing Clearinghouse or something.
    [Laughter]
        But thanks for inviting me. Our entertainment tonight is Craig
    Ferguson. You know, this is a small world.
    Craig was once in a punk band called Bastards from Hell, which is what
    Dick and I are going to call our band.
    [Laughter] Craig is Scottish by birth; so is Barney. [Laughter] Two
    months ago, Craig became an American citizen. I'm honored to call you
    fellow American.
        Ladies and gentlemen, surprisingly, I've enjoyed these dinners.
    [Laughter] So tonight I thought we'd reminisce a bit. The first couple
    of years I came to this dinner, I was really into slide shows.

    [At this point, a video was shown.]

        Next year, a new President will be standing up here. I have to say,
    I'm kind of surprised we don't have more Presidential candidates here
    tonight, like, any. [Laughter] Senator McCain is
    not here. He probably wanted to distance himself from me a little bit.
    [Laughter] You know, he's not alone; Jenna's
    moving out too. [Laughter]
        The two Democratic candidates aren't here either. Senator
    Clinton couldn't get into the
    building because of sniper fire, and Senator Obama's at church. [Laughter]
        But I'm sure whoever the next President is will show up at these
    dinners, especially

    [[Page 585]]

    like the dinners in 2005 and 2006, when we had a couple of surprises up
    our sleeves.

    [A video was shown.]

        We've had a lot of fun nights over the years. Do you remember the
    year I mentioned Ozzy Osbourne, and he stood
    up on a chair and blew me a kiss? [Laughter] So few leaders get that
    kind of experience. [Laughter] You know, I love the mixed crowds here.
    It's an interesting crowd. You know, just think: Pamela
    Anderson and Mitt Romney in the same room. [Laughter] Isn't that one of the signs
    of the apocalypse? [Laughter]
        Which brings me to Dick. [Laughter] For 8
    years as Vice President, Dick has ridden shotgun. That's probably not
    the best analogy. [Laughter] But he is a dear friend, and he's been the
    greatest straight man in the history of the world. [Laughter] Dick, I
    don't know what I would have done for material without you. [Laughter]

    [A video was shown.]

        What I like best about these evenings is the laughter and the chance
    to thank you for the work you do for the country. I also view this as a
    good chance to put aside our differences for a few hours.
        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. 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.

    [The remarks concluded as President Bush conducted the United States
    Marine Band.]

    Note: The President spoke at approximately 8 p.m. at the Washington
    Hilton Hotel. In his remarks, he referred to entertainers Craig
    Ferguson, Ozzy Osbourne, and Pamela Anderson; and former Gov. W. Mitt
    Romney of Massachusetts. The transcript was released by the Office of
    the Press Secretary on April 28.