Beyond Iraq: The First Lady, Back in Africa

Which raises the question: What about President Bush?

Bush has been outspoken in his denunciation of the regime in Khartoum. This month, he announced stepped-up economic sanctions to stop violence carried out by government-backed militias that have killed as many as 450,000 people and made an additional 2.5 million refugees over the past four years. But when it comes to divesting whatever holdings he may have there, his hands are tied, the White House says.

The president's investments are in a blind trust, and he is forbidden to offer any instructions for how the money is to be handled.

Really, Tony, You Sounded Great

About 1,500 guests at last week's congressional picnic on the South Lawn were treated to a New Orleans-style feast prepared by famed Louisiana chef Paul Prudhomme and music from Kermit Ruffins and the Barbeque Swingers and another band, Beats Workin', featuring White House press secretary Tony Snow on flute. Pool reporter Julie Mason of the Houston Chronicle reported that Snow's band played a memorable set, including golden hits "Johnny B. Goode," "Reelin' in the Years" and "China Grove," even if the commander in chief playfully disagreed.

"I thank Tony Snow and his bunch of, well, mediocre musicians," Bush joked, before setting the record straight. "No, great musicians. Beats Workin', thanks for coming."

Welcome, Foe

Democrats seem pleased -- in a way that only politicians can -- that President Bush selected former congressman Jim Nussle (R-Iowa) to become the head of the White House Office of Management and Budget, replacing Director Rob Portman. Portman enjoyed good relationships with both sides of the aisle on Capitol Hill, unlike Nussle, the former House Budget Committee chairman, who had a reputation for aggressive partisanship.

Democratic partisans were not in a forgiving mood after Nussle's nomination.

"Just before Mr. Nussle and President Bush took charge of America's books, we had a $236 billion surplus, the largest in U.S. history," Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) said on the House floor Friday. "Under President Bush's watch and Jim Nussle's -- in five short years -- we had a $318 billion annual deficit."