Bush’s rockin’ chief of staff shows ‘Wild’ side
White House picnic rocks Rove, Negroponte, Rumsfeld
Friday, June 16, 2006 Posted: 1227 GMT (2027 HKT)
Chief of Staff Joshua Bolten performs Thursday with The Compassionates at a White House picnic.
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President Bush was the host of the annual congressional picnic Thursday at the White House, but it was his chief of staff’s band that came close to stealing the show.
“We got some interesting entertainment for you tonight,” Bush told lawmakers and their families to the picnic, called “Rodeo on the South Lawn.”
“We got some people who can play music and some people who think they can play music,” the president said.
The Compassionates, Joshua Bolten’s band, and the Second Amendments, a bipartisan congressional band, were the opening acts. The featured entertainment came from Riders in the Sky, professional musicians who played in fancy chaps and Western attire.
Rain clouds scuttled the picnic Wednesday night. No such problem for the makeup.
Bush was upbeat, although still weary from his trip this week to Baghdad.
The Compassionates, appearing like the Blues Brothers in their dark shades, white shirts and ties, ended their set with “Born To Be Wild.” Then the congressmen took the stage.
Rep. Collin Peterson, D-Minnesota, said the band had played all over the world, including Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan.
“No politics, just rock 'n roll,” he said.
The other members of the group are Reps. Kenny Hulshof, R-Missouri, Jon Porter, R-Nevada, Dave Weldon, R-Florida, and Thaddeus McCotter of Michigan, a Republican whom Bush called "that rock 'n roll dude."
Spotted in the crowd were Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, CIA chief Michael Hayden and Bush’s top political adviser Karl Rove. The national intelligence director, John Negroponte, showed up in jeans and a cowboy hat.
Did the Dixie Chicks make an appearance?? I hear they’re having trouble getting gigs. 
Any wonder ksdb? lol. What did they expect?? lol. Oh I know, the libs will say we are being unfair and we don’t allow others to have thier opinions. I allow the Dixie Chicks to have thier opinion all they want. I just don’t have to listen to it or buy thier music. It’s that simple. By the way ksdb, you’ve done a great job in the " Better Toke a New One Mr. Soul" posting.
The new cd from the chicks is actually pretty good, it’s looking like their tactic is to branch in a little different direction to appeal to a wider audience than just country types. I think it’s gonna work cause they have loads of talent. I’m thinking of buying it actually and I’m not a liberal.
Hey, I’ve got no problem with that StuH 
to each his own. Take care.
They’re having trouble in Southern and Midwest states but who cares - they don’t need 'em. They’ll make plenty of money in blue states.