WASHINGTON, DC – President George W. Bush recited the entire alphabet earlier today in a private conference held at the White House. White House staff members that wish to remain anonymous said that the President accurately preformed the recitation with minimal prompting from his Cabinet and staff, all of whom were present for the event.
White House Press Secretary Ari Fleischer said in a press conference that the President had recited the alphabet merely as a “review” and as “inspiration to Kindergarteners across this great nation.” Fleischer also stated that the act showed the president’s commitment to education, particularly his No Child Left Behind initiative.
Democrats derided the recitation, claiming that it was clearly a political maneuver to please the president’s campaign contributors, namely the letters “O,” “I” and “L.” These letters are said to have provided the Bush campaign with heavy financing for the 2000 election and are rumored to be making large financial contributions to the presidents bid for re-election in the upcoming 2004 race. The White House denies any connection.
“This is obviously an attempt to appease these letters at the expense of the voters,” said Senate Minority Leader Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.). “The letters ‘W,’ ‘A’ and ‘R’ are also clearly indicated,” added Daschle, “and I suspect that the numerals ‘2,’ ‘0' and ‘4' are also involved in some way.”
Fleischer dismissed the Democrats criticisms, reiterating his prior statements that the act was a “review,” an inspiration to Kindergarteners and further evidence of the president’s commitment to education.
Members of the staff also said that following the recitation, the President sang, “Now I know my ABCs. Won’t you come and sing with me.” They also stated that the President was treated to a milkshake at a local ice cream parlor and a “lollie.”
Fleisher said that the president looks forward to next month, when he plans to recite the numerals one through ten.
reported by John Eischeid