Bush Passes Up Comedy at Media Dinner

Comedian Rich Little, known for his impersonations, including this one of former President Richard Nixon, goes through his routine as he receives the 1,765th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in this July 27, 1983 file photo. Twenty-three years ago, Little stepped to the podium at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner after President Reagan told him: "Now Rich, if you do well, we'll have you back." It took more than two decades, but Little has finally returned. (AP Photo/Lennox McLendon, File) (Lennox Mclendon - AP)

WASHINGTON -- President Bush, deferring to the tragedy at Virginia Tech, passed up any attempt to be funny at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner Saturday, leaving those efforts to impersonator Rich Little.

Returning to the podium at the annual dinner after 23 years, Little made good on his promise to be gentle.

Little's material was safe if occasionally a little raunchy. He dusted off his impersonations of six presidents, from Nixon to the current occupant of the White House, and avoided any reference to current political issues.

After one joke bombed, he said, "And you thought (Stephen) Colbert was bad."

Best known for his impersonations of Richard Nixon and Johnny Carson, Rich was the featured act for the glitzy dinner with Bush, Cabinet secretaries, foreign dignitaries, Hollywood celebrities and members of the press.

Unlike previous comedians at the dinner, he had no competition from Bush, who at times has shown a deft comedic touch himself in his annual monologue.

Bush said it was important for people in Washington "to learn to laugh" and that the ability for a nation to poke fun at its leaders is good for democracy.

"I was looking forward to doing a little poking myself but in light of this tragedy at Virginia Tech I decided not to be funny," he said.

He noted that many journalists in the room have had a tough week, reporting from Virginia Tech and said "this dinner comes at a good time."

With that, he introduced Little for the laughs.

Little had said in advance that both Republicans and Democrats should expect nothing more than gentle jokes at their expense during the dinner, an annual tradition started by President Calvin Coolidge.

Last year, Colbert, host of Comedy Central's "The Colbert Report," lampooned the administration and the Washington press corps as Bush looked on unamused amid a crowd's laughter that was nervous at times.