Bush tempers jocular correspondents event

[JoFerret]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4044197,00.html

Sunday May 2, 2004 4:46 AM


By KATA KERTESZ

Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush tempered lighthearted remarks to a gathering of journalists Saturday with a declaration that the nation is in a ``period of testing and sacrifice'' spearheaded by a ``new generation of Americans as brave and decent as any before it.''
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Referring to upcoming events honoring the World War II generation,
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He said the death last month of former professional football player Pat Tillman ....

``They fill the ranks of the armed forces,'' he continued. ``Everyday somewhere they do brave and good things without notice....

Bush, who made a handful of lighter remarks at the begining of his brief remarks, delivered a similarly solemn address to last year's gathering, focusing on journlists killed in war.


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He was followed by ``Tonight'' show host Jay Leno, who stuck to humor.

Noting that Bush made $400,000 last year, Leno said ``he doesn't do it for the money, he does it for the eight months of vacation each year'' - a reference to the president's frequent stays on his Texas ranch.

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