HOKKAIDO, Japan (CNN) – It was a birthday celebration in the skies, as President Bush turned 62 aboard Air Force One while en route to Japan where Bush is attending the summit of the Group of Eight industrialized nations.
First Lady Laura Bush and White House staff members gathered in the conference room on Air Force One late Saturday night eastern time, where a steward dimmed the lights as the crowd waited for the birthday celebrant to arrive, White House Press Secretary Dana Perino said.
On the table was a "large" coconut cake with a single burning candle and the words "Happy Birthday President Bush" on it.
The crowd called out "surprise" as President Bush walked into the room and then sang Happy Birthday, Perino said.
Bush "dutifully pretended to be surprised" and blew out the candle, Perino said. It was not known whether he made a birthday wish.
After cutting and serving the cake, the health-conscious president ate a "small" piece of birthday cake, she said.
There was no word on what he gifts he received from family members, but Perino noted the president was sporting a new teal-colored tie.
White House staffers presented Bush with birthday notes and cards - well-wishes delivered in a small wooden box with his initials carved on top.
The box was carved by a Texas woodworker with wood from an old Scarlett Oak tree that grace the north lawn of the White House until it fell last year.
The tree was planted in 1892 by the great granddaughter of President Benjamin Harrison, according to Perino.
From CNN Politics
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Why isn't CNN showing footage of Bush being heckled at the July 4th event he spoke at? Why did I have to see it on the BBC? The only thing I learned from this is that President Bush likes coconut cake – the one and only thing I will ever have in common with this president.
Happy Birthday Mr. President. I look forward to next years birthday when there will be a new man in office – although a woman would have been better.
Happy Birthday Mr. President! Mrs. Bush and you are looking well these days. Hope you'll be able to attend the next President's birthday, John McCain.
Happy Birthday President Bush. May all your wishes come true.
are there any large rocks in texas that he can crawl under?
Happy B-day President Bush
GREAT,
BDAY PARTY FOR THE WORST WAR CRIMINAL IN THE HISTORY OF OUR NATION BECAUSE DEMS ARE TOO SPINELESS TO HAVE HIM IN JAIL AND SENT TO THE HAGUE.
Lisa.......... Who cares?............I do ...............WONDERFUL WIFE MR BUSH......HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!!!!
Well, thank goodness he was at least in his 50's for most of his time in office. I can't imagine how bad it would be if he were senile on top of being a puppet of big oil, owing his career to the Saudi royal family, trying to turn America into a facist state, and fighting wars, ALL to protect oil prices. Thank god he wasn't in his 70's at least...
I wonder what America would be like if he was senile on top of all of that... like say.... John Mc Cain would be?
How about we DON'T find out what that would be like? Obama 2008.
Happy birthday Mr. Bush, now get the (expletive) out.
Congrats mr. President
You are doing a great job at the WhiteHouse.
Happy Mr.President – Bomb Bomb Bomb Iran
Bush should be tried for war crimes! He's the worst president the U.S. has ever had...
SHOWING NO RESPECT FOR BUSH IS LIKE LOSING AMERICA'S SELF-RESPECT...AFTER ALL MORE THAN 50 MILLION VOTERS CAST THEIR VOTE FOR PRESIDENT BUSH IN 2004 .so america for better or whatever...live with it...IT IS NOW PART OF HISTORY..NOT TO BE ERASED EVER...
@@@;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;@@@;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;live with it;;;;;;;;;;;;......!!!!!
I really like President Bush,always did, even voted for him.... but I certainly don't like alot of the policies that have affected so many of us in the last few years, just the same:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT BUSH
Oh how splended! Then they sat 50,000 ft above the country and had pate' and caviar all the while enjoying the high life of a royal family as the backbone of this nation is breaking slowly but surely.
Not only should he be the worst president in the history of this nation but he can't evade being the dumbest either.
He's having a heck of a good time while Rome burns.
Happy Birthday Mr. President Bush
To those of you who say "who cares" and "why is this news"? I will try to answer your questions.
There are many Americans who care about our President and respect the office of the Presidency who wish him well even though he had real failures in his 2 terms. It is news simply because he is the president of the USA.
I'm not "in love" with George Bush but simply feel it is appropriate to wish him well and Happy Birthday because he represents our country in both the good and bad ways we have conducted ourselves. Remember how you felt about the president on 9/11.
Simply put, in the words of the old southern pop song: "Stand by your man/president".
I think his next birthday should be spent behind BARS.
Live it up, Georgie. Your corrupt regime is over.
I will celebrate come 01/20/09
Although I don't like him at all, I still wish him a Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday Mr. President! Hope its a happy one and hope that the jetlag from Japan isn't too bad!
I don't agree with much of what he does, or our government for that fact, (don't forget its not all just him, its congress and the senate too!!!!!!) but still would like to wish a happy birthday to him.
HAPPY B-DAY DRUNK PRESIDENT
9/11 happened on his watch,while he was reading "MY PET GOAT",and we should never forget that.
I'd ask if they hired a clown, but that would be kind of redundant.