Silence gave way to groans, which became chuckles and, finally, applause. This is Little Rock's way of saying, "Stop it, Mr. President! You're killing us!" And then the discussion returned to thrift savings plans.
In a session with European print reporters last month, Bush seemed compelled to tell a German journalist named Klaus, mid-interview, that "my roommate in college, by the way, was named Dieter."
Klaus replied by asking the president whether he thinks the "transatlantic relationship" would require an "institutional overhaul."
One benefit of being the commander-in-chief is that people are usually inclined to laugh at your jokes -- especially, in Bush's case, when your events tend to be presidential amen sessions restricted to ticketed believers. He has proven a serviceable comedian on Washington's black-tie dinner circuit, and has even been criticized for overdoing it at times (as when he joked about America's failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq during a dinner last year).
But people close to Bush say his recent comic releases reflect a noticeably more relaxed presidential disposition. Since the Iraqi elections in January and his well-received State of the Union speech a few days later, Bush, according to aides, has been much more willing to toss out what-the-heck quips in public, reflecting the attitude of someone who has nothing to lose, or run for.
"He's been locker-room loose," says Bush's longtime adman Mark McKinnon, who says Bush is as at ease as he's ever seen him.
"There's no question he's a slightly different guy," adds Sen. Rick Santorum, the Pennsylvania Republican with close ties to the White House and who recently accompanied Bush to a town meeting in his home state. The president has always had a casual demeanor, Santorum says, and he has been buoyed by recent events. "Success does make you feel a lot more comfortable with who you are."
If not necessarily funny. But the president, in his own words, has been "feeling pretty spunky" as he barnstorms through town meetings to discuss Social Security. The conversations are marked by teasing banter with his audience. At North Dakota State University last month, a man told Bush he's from Velva, N.D., which, he added, "is very close to Karluhe, North Dakota."
To which Bush cracked: "That's good. I was just thinking the same thing myself."
In Alabama last week, Bush became giddy when noting that two of his Social Security panelists -- George Wood and his grandson, George Wood Moody -- shared his "GW" initials.
"George Walker Bush, George Wood, George Wood Moody," the president said, surveying the stage, nodding in revelation. "G.W., W. Thanks for coming." (W must stand for "wiseguy" in the president's case.)
Bush often appears with an "expert" who supports his Social Security plan -- some adviser, professor or smarty-pants whom the president likes to use as a foil to contrast with his own academic record. "I'm a C-student," Bush said proudly in Louisville last week. "He's the PhD. He's the adviser. I'm the president. What does that tell you?"
Bush has always liked to project a common-folk demeanor, but only occasionally mentioned his slacker past during his first term. Now his repertoire includes frequent references to how he paid little attention in class while in college.
When a panelist in Tampa used the word "multitasking," Bush, with a hint of sarcasm, commended her for using a "nice long word, 'multitasking.' Very good. Inject a little intellectual strength in the conversation."
Bush has used self-deprecating humor in tense environments, such as during his trip to Europe last month, a delicate diplomatic jaunt. On his arrival in Brussels, Bush spoke of Benjamin Franklin's visit to Europe two centuries ago. He quoted a writer who said Franklin's reputation "was more universal than Leibniz or Newton, Frederick or Voltaire, and his character more beloved and esteemed than any or all of them. The observer went on to say, 'There was scarcely a peasant or a citizen who did not consider him as a friend to humankind.'
"I have been hoping for a similar reception. But Secretary Rice told me I should be a realist."
The crowd ate this up and the transatlantic ice was cracked slightly, if not thawed.
And Bush demonstrates again that Andrew Card is not the highest ranking card in this White House. (Get it? That's a play on the chief of staff's last name?)
Stop it! Enough already!
