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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The older he gets, the more more stupid he gets.
Happy Birthday President Bush. Hope you enjoy your retirement from politics. You must be looking forward to it!
While the whole country suffers because of his economic policies, he decided this summer he would insult Americans a few last times before leaving office by spending a fortune on a wedding for his daughter and now a birthday celebration aboard Air Force One. Instead of being hard at work on issues he will be discussing upon his destination, he takes time off for birthday cake. Can't wait til this child and his gang leave the White House.
I just threw up!
You mean he was actually born? Rather than just spawned in a lab.
maybe he could soar higher next year... ...like on Mars
Seriously....THIS IS NOT IMPORTANT!
CNN, you have the power to choose what we read about. You are diverting us from the real issues. We DEMAND to be presented honest news that matters and informs us about the world around us. We do not need to hear about this drivel.
Only thing I can say to this article is that GW handled the stress of the presidency real well. Looks good for his age .
Happy Birthday lamest of ducks!
Happy Birthday with best wishes for good health for the next 198 days, and beyond. You deserve to enjoy your post-Presidential years as you are tried and convicted for war crimes, and are a recipient of the justice you claim to dispense.
DM, Arlington TX for Barack Obama 08 July 6th, 2008 12:31 pm ET
Waste of money….
But that fluff piece abut the Obama family getting photo ops at a 4th parade wasn't? it was his daughters birthday and they had to sit for scheduled posed with props photos for a fundraiser/b-day party. Glad to see where his family priorities lie.
I'm really glad to see that President Bush is 'health conscious". As our nation's leader it behooves him to set a good example for our countrymen whenever possible.
Of course it should be remembered that one of the reasons Mr. Bush can afford to be health conscious is that he can afford health insurance – something he has done his best for almost 7 years now to DENY his fellow Americans.
happy D-Day...oops...i mean B-Day. I fin President Bust very agressive. If he behaves as a private citizen the same way he acted while being pres., he would probably a detainee at guatanamo bay...oops...or have life in prison...maybe even the death penalty. So many lost lives because of him. Our commader in ....I know what I am talking about I myself was in Iraq. Oh..Happy D-Day Pres.
It was Quebec's Birthday!! First Euros to discover North America...write about that!! Bush will be remembered for reinventing the question mark ????????????????
I wish I were there, cause I would have given him a box too and when he opens it a bunch of silly gag snakes would jump out and I'd say "that's for killing thousands in Iraq you jerk!"
Happy Birthday Mr. President. Thank you for 8 wonderful years!
Happiest of birthdays.
I'm sure y'all disgusted folk eagerly returned Bush's economic infusion checks.
Get him a jail cell for his b'day!
Happy birthday Mr. president Bush. God will bless on your birthday and always. I voted for you in 2000 but I will vote for Obama in November. Obama is the man. Yes We Can!
............ "Flying-High" is what he does best ...!!!
................... with "high" being the operative word.
Let's all be thanksful we live in the United State of America, and despite some not so perfect decision the President had made, he is a very decent person and pretty good President by all standards. I am from another country originally and became a US citizen. I truely enjoy and appreciate all the freedom Americans take for granted too often.
A KODAK MOMENT .......NICE COUPLE .......HAPPY BIRTHDAY SIR!!!!!
Mr President – may your next Birthday Party be a barbeque with you and Mr Cheney and Jesse Helms sizzling on the grill in hell.
Fuel is expensive now, but can we keep him in the air till January, please? And his stuff?
If you think GW is bad, wait until you get "turn-around Obama" who keeps changing direction with the political winds. At least Bush knows who he is and what he wans to do even if you don't agree with him. Obama? Who knows! It'll be a crap shoot for 4 years, but thankfully probably not 8. He'll mess up the country too much in 4.