Al Smith dinner serves up a Bush and a Carey

Published: 2004-10-22

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Republican President George W. Bush and his Democratic challenger for the presidency, Sen. John F. Kerry of Massachusetts, were not invited to speak at this year's Al Smith dinner. But they were not forgotten when the dinner was held Oct. 21 at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York with a different Bush as a speaker -- former President George H.W. Bush -- and former New York Gov. Hugh L. Carey as the other speaker. Bush said his wife, Barbara, was "steamed up" over criticism of their son by Kerry. If she gets her hands on Kerry, he will "need another Purple Heart," Bush said to enthusiastic applause, referring to the nominee's Vietnam honor. Carey teased the crowd by saying he would use the occasion to give his endorsement to a Texas president -- the late President Lyndon B. Johnson.

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