Much Ado About Tuesday

"Since the panel's report was issued, White House spokesman Scott McClellan has reiterated that overhauling the tax code is a priority for the president. Otherwise, he has on several occasions deferred questions to the Treasury Department, which is reshaping the tax panel's proposals into a policy initiative for Bush to champion as early as next year.

"The lukewarm reception is in stark contrast to the fanfare with which the president announced the panel's creation in January. Then, Bush introduced panel Chairman Connie Mack and Vice Chairman John Breaux in a ceremony at the White House."

Blowing Kisses

Richard Wolffe and Holly Bailey write in their Newsweek.com column today: "On Monday afternoon, President Bush paused during an outdoor tour of the Panama Canal to listen as his guide, Panamanian President Martin Torrijos, gave what appeared to be an animated explanation of how the canal works. As Torrijos pointed and gestured, Bush nodded attentively and scanned the waterway, his eyes finally coming to rest on the small group of reporters and photographers in the White House press pool positioned on a balcony hundreds of yards away.

"When one reporter jokingly waved at the president, Bush broke into a wide grin and waved back. As others waved, Bush laughed and waved even more enthusiastically, blowing mock kisses to the media pack."

Correction: In an earlier version of this column, I incorrectly reported that the kiss-blowing was not mentioned in the pool reports of Bush's visit. It was.

Still Stings Like a Bee

Jose Antonio Vargas writes in The Washington Post: "Aretha Franklin was teary-eyed, Carol Burnett was teasing, Alan Greenspan was reliably taciturn, and 'The Greatest of All Time' stole the show when President Bush bestowed the Medal of Freedom on them and 10 others in a White House ceremony yesterday.

"Bush, who appeared almost playful, fastened the heavy medal around Muhammad Ali's neck and whispered something in the heavyweight champion's ear. Then, as if to say 'bring it on,' the president put up his dukes in a mock challenge. Ali, 63, who has Parkinson's disease and moves slowly, looked the president in the eye -- and, finger to head, did the 'crazy' twirl for a couple of seconds.

"The room of about 200, including Cabinet secretaries, tittered with laughter. Ali, who was then escorted back to his chair, made the twirl again while sitting down. And the president looked visibly taken aback, laughing nervously."

Here's a Reuters photo of the moment. This Associated Press video also captures the gesture. Here's an Agence France Presse story and photo as well.

Live Online

I had a lively Live Online discussion yesterday, as always. And incidentally, if you haven't already, check out the powerhouse lineup of Washington Post political reporters doing Live Onlines every day at 11 a.m. on the Post Politics Hour .

Froomkin Watch

I'll be off tomorrow. Have a good Veterans Day. The column will resume on Monday.