Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, March 30, 1992 TAG: 9203300030
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 5 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE:
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater introduced Bush Saturday night as "Tarmac . . . former baggage handler for Air Sununu." And the leader of the free world strode to the podium in a red cape.
Then, imitating Carson's soothsaying "Carnac the Magnificent," Bush would guess the answers to questions before they are asked.
Concentrating on one envelope, he ascertained the answer to be, "Saddam Hussein, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Paul Tsongas." The question was: Name "a Scud, a stud and a Fudd," as in Elmer, a reference to the former Democratic contender's speaking style.
Alexander, a relative newcomer to the capital, surprised the audience when, instead of delivering a normal roast speech, he sat behind a piano and delivered his insults to music. Not even Bush was spared, as Alexander gently mocked Bush's attempts to explain breaking his no-tax pledge.
"They made me do it, I didn't wanna do it," he sang. "They made me tax you, it's true."
And he delivered a serenade to the Democrats' front-runner, Arkansas Gov. Bill Clinton: "How many more are out there, these troubles that hurt you so."
The club has been around for 107 years, and Bush is the 18th consecutive president to attend the gala.
It's a Washington tradition. And Texas Gov. Ann Richards made clear that many Americans might find it rather strange, this formal dinner with reporters and their guests in white tie and tails.
"So this is what you do on Saturday nights," she said with an acrid tone. "I don't know why anyone would think you're out of touch."
James Taylor won't be watching his upcoming television special. The reason is simple: He doesn't like himself on TV.
In the April 4 issue of TV Guide, the singer said he won't be tuning in to "James Taylor: Going Home" on the Disney Channel on April 12.
"I don't do TV well, and whatever it is, I don't want to see it," he said.
Taylor, whose hits include "You've Got A Friend" and "Fire and Rain," said he appears on TV because "the national life takes place on TV, and if you're not there, you're not in the national consciousness."
by CNB