February 12, 2008
Posted: February 12th, 2008 04:45 PM ET
Bush welcomed members of The Temptations to the White House Tuesday.
Bush welcomed members of The Temptations to the White House Tuesday.

WASHINGTON (CNN) – It was a touch of American Idol in the East Room of the White House on Tuesday when President Bush hosted the singing group the Temptations as part of the celebration of African American history month.

Singing some of their best known songs including “Just My Imagination” and “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”, the Temptations brought the crowd to their feet with the song “My Girl.”

The audience, which included civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis, former Secretary of Transportation William Coleman, who was part of the legal team behind the landmark case Brown v. Board of Education, and Ernest Green, one of the nine students of the “Little Rock Nine,” sang along to the famous lines of “My Girl,” and even caused some normally subdued White House staffers to tap and move along to the music. Even President Bush was moved to move along to the music.

The Temptations, who had 37 top 40 hits, came to the White House where original group member Otis Williams was one of those honored by President Bush.

– CNN White House Producer Xuan Thai

Filed under: President Bush


Patriot   February 12th, 2008 8:49 pm ET

Aw, you're all just jealous cuz you weren't invited. Get over it.

JOhn   February 12th, 2008 7:56 pm ET

About time they have somebody smart in the white house.

Laurinda   February 12th, 2008 7:33 pm ET

Well why would the Temps want to be with Bush? Otis Williams is the only original member. The Temps had so many different members, but I bet the original members ( they are now in Heaven) would not have gone.

PLM   February 12th, 2008 7:10 pm ET

I wonder if they would offer "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" to Hillary for her new campaign theme song..... ;-)

John   February 12th, 2008 7:07 pm ET

Wait, Kanye, I thought Bush hated black people. Sorry, bad joke.

robert   February 12th, 2008 6:57 pm ET

They should have sang their great song, "Ball of Confusion".

"Ball of confusion...That's what the world is today"!

Sean, Macon, GA   February 12th, 2008 6:56 pm ET

Yes, Mr. Bush, you can try to clean up your act with the smooth tones of the Temptations, but the bottom line is you did nothing for African-Americans and Americans period. You can help all Americans by stopping your stupid war.

I'm not buying it. He's still working on his legacy. Unfortunately he will still be the worst president in modern history.

I can't wait for this administration to be over, over, over.

blkjazz   February 12th, 2008 6:38 pm ET

I wonder if they sang "I Wish It Would Rain" for the Prez?

Brian Ford   February 12th, 2008 6:37 pm ET

Just the start of what is to come I guess

marky   February 12th, 2008 6:35 pm ET

there is a war going on.

bills   February 12th, 2008 6:31 pm ET

Limbaugh should be run off the air he is a sick sick man.If you do not think so just spend about i min thats all it will take

Mark   February 12th, 2008 6:29 pm ET

Jeez, only ONE original Temptation left. How sad. I had heard that the other original members of this once-phenomenal group are all deceased. : (

CR Roseville, CA   February 12th, 2008 6:17 pm ET

Why give this man Limbaugh any credit. He is a hypocrite and a hater. Any presidential candidate that kow-tows to him cannot be good for our country.

Nick in Detroit   February 12th, 2008 6:16 pm ET

Bush felt bad that before he knew who Otis Williams was he asked him to park the car.

LEG   February 12th, 2008 6:14 pm ET

ONE OF THE GREATEST ACT EVER MEET'S THE BIGGEST JOKE EVER

mikeymike   February 12th, 2008 6:08 pm ET

Too bad Mr. Bush got no SOUL...

oliverthizz   February 12th, 2008 6:07 pm ET

How fitting. The fake president with the fake Temptations. All of the original Temptations are dead, with the exception of Otis, who was the member who never sang anyway.

kevin from alaska   February 12th, 2008 6:02 pm ET

Bush can fund tax cuts for the super rich but not rescue efforts in New Orleans.

Anyone that would perform for him - black or white - is out of their minds.

A Black Voter   February 12th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

I guess they want my vote for the Republican Party...not going to happen.

James   February 12th, 2008 6:00 pm ET

Bush celebrating African American history month. Isn't that an oxymoron.

David, Silver Spring, MD   February 12th, 2008 5:55 pm ET

Is he still President?

Wayne, Greenville TX   February 12th, 2008 5:53 pm ET

This ranks right up there with the night Bush waved at Stevie Wonder......

D-Attle   February 12th, 2008 5:51 pm ET

Gimme a break. That's Bush's attempt to recognize black history month? What about when he refused to attend those NAACP events for years on end because he knew blacks were disgruntled by his leadership and lack of attention to predominantly black areas of the country. THAT'S the Bush we all know. What a joke.

fenimore   February 12th, 2008 5:39 pm ET

there he goes again – spending our tax dollar on his egoist self.

"...even Bush was moved to move to the music..."

i find it hard to believe that he could move to anything. moron.

notice what WE got for martin luther king day – more people killed in iraq, shootings in schools, higher gas prices...more homes in foreclosure – and he's celebrating, trying to be one of the 'brothers'.

bush has about as much soul as a cow pie.

kathleen, illinois   February 12th, 2008 5:37 pm ET

Maybe the Temptations can stroll Pres. Bush right out of the White House!

Brian G   February 12th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

Actually, Lewis Black would be much better!

Nate   February 12th, 2008 5:36 pm ET

...just my imagination, running away with me.....

Willie McGill   February 12th, 2008 5:35 pm ET

The Republican Party has always recognized the contributions of African Americans. Therefore, I am delighted President Bush honored the legacy of the Temptations and its original group member, Mr. Otis Williams, during the celebration of Black History Month, 2008.

J. Dean, Juno Beach, FLORIDA   February 12th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

I WONDER WHAT DOES GEORGE BUSH KNOW ABOUT AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY ?

Chris   February 12th, 2008 5:30 pm ET

What, no MC Rove?

Bukky, Baltimore   February 12th, 2008 5:29 pm ET

Awww hell NO.... Did they really have to sing "aint too proud to beg for bush"? How celebrating Black Acheivement in Education, Business, Politics. We do more than sing and play sports...

Bob,.Roxboro, NC   February 12th, 2008 5:26 pm ET

Apparently Bush can't resist the Temptations. Especially the temptation to wage war!

Brian G   February 12th, 2008 5:25 pm ET

As an amateur humorist, I can think of a dozen punchlines for this story all of which are SO politically incorrect as to make Carlos Mencia and Dave Chappell look like Ms. Manners and Dear Abby.

Guess I'll just have to wait for Stewart and Colbert to utter them for me.

Marxism Papa Roach   February 12th, 2008 5:22 pm ET

I saw Bush today... was a bit 'shocked and awed' with him knowing which 5 were the Temptations. Great job Bush. You scored one and acomplished THIS mission.

Sal in Penn.   February 12th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

I don't know how to respond to this one.

Randy - Denver   February 12th, 2008 5:12 pm ET

I can see the resident now.. looking like Chevy Chase tapping his feet out of time...

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