Bush plays host to American Idol contestants

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Top contenders from the hit
television show “American Idol” descended on the White House on
Friday, giving President George W. Bush a break from talks with
British Prime Minister Tony Blair on the Middle East crisis.

Bush joined the 10 finalists from the show’s latest season
for a picture-taking session, then got a harmonica from them as
a gift.

Contest winner Taylor Hicks already had a connection at the
White House as a former student of Susan Whitson, who had been
a high school teacher and is now press secretary to First Lady
Laura Bush.

Asked if Bush was a fan of the hit reality show, White
House spokeswoman Emily Lawrimore said the president had never
seen it, “but like most Americans he is well aware of it.”

In addition to the harmonica, the visit earned Bush a
zinger from Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid’s office, which
issued a statement pointing out that the show’s ratings
exceeded the president’s own.

The statement also suggested Bush adopt as his theme song,
“Nobody Knows the Troubles I’ve Seen” by Louis Armstrong.