Bush's new role: father of the bride
The Associated Press
Most-read stories
- Huge Arlington fixer-upper with a shady past could be yours for pittance
- 2 men die in separate Fort Worth motorcycle wrecks
- Four Hurst teens indicted on capital murder charges
- T.O. offers counsel to latest wayward Dallas Cowboys player
- Man died driving home to surprise mom for Mother's Day
Most e-mailed stories
- Huge Arlington fixer-upper with a shady past could be yours for pittance
- Allstate to cut rates in Texas after settlement
- Schools vie for new teachers at Arlington job fair
- Five facts about psychological eating
- Hot jobs for teens in a cool market
CRAWFORD -- President Bush stuck out his right elbow Thursday, jokingly demonstrating how he'll escort his daughter down the aisle at her wedding this weekend.
He made the gesture at Andrews Air Force Base before boarding Air Force One for the flight to Texas, where Jenna Bush will be married Saturday before about 200 guests at the family's secluded 1,600-acre ranch. Asked whether he was excited, the president smiled and gave a thumbs-up.
"He's looking forward to it," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters aboard the plane as it flew from rainy Washington to sunny Texas. "He's excited like any proud father is to see one of his daughters get married."
First lady Laura Bush is already at the ranch near Crawford getting ready for the outdoor wedding. Jenna, 26, is tying the knot with longtime boyfriend Henry Hager, who turns 30 today.
Jenna Bush and Hager of Richmond, Va., opted for a low-key event, thinking a White House wedding would be too formal and stuffy. More than 200 friends and relatives are converging at the ranch for the wedding.
The White House says it will be a closed affair.
"This is really a private event for the family," Johndroe said. "I think the activities of the weekend are going to be really a private celebration for Jenna and Henry's family and friends."
Marvin Bush, one of the president's brothers, and his family flew down with Bush on Air Force One. The group, along with White House advisers, hopped on the Marine One presidential helicopter with Bush, who hurried them up with a wave and a smile.
Bush has joked that he has had little to do with the wedding planning -- that he's mostly just expected to open his wallet. Vice President Dick Cheney echoed that on Thursday when he visited one of the government's financial centers in Philadelphia, where the economic stimulus checks are being processed.
"He's on his way to Texas for his daughter's wedding this weekend," Cheney said about Bush. "So you can bet he'll be writing a few checks, too."
