It's About Nothing

Reporters busied themselves with personal tasks: rubbing eyes, cleaning eyeglasses, reading the newspaper, fiddling with BlackBerrys or studying the blank pages of their notebooks. One of the deputy press secretaries, Gordon Johndroe, rested his chin in his hand. There was nothing left to be said -- which was the cue for Kinsolving, who demanded to know Bush's view on the disparity in pro-football eligibility for players from the military academies.

Stanzel punted. "I'm not sure that that is something that he's occupied his time with," the spokesman said.

Of course not. He has been busy preparing for the Cinco de Mayo dinner. And the session with "Good Morning America," where Roberts pressed Bush on his daughter's wedding at the ranch.

"So, what have you done to make it special there?" the anchor asked. "I know that it's always special at the ranch, but for this wedding?"

"We put a giant cross made out of Texas limestone that will serve as the altar," the president replied.

"That's beautiful," Roberts said. She went on to note that a beagle named Uno, the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club's Best in Show, would visit the Rose Garden later in the day.

"Uno is coming," Laura Bush confirmed.

Roberts was impressed. "Big day here at the White House," she said.

Or what passes for one nowadays.