President Bush visited Las Vegas earlier this week, which marked the first time the President has visited the Silver State in an official capacity.
In his presidential address, Bush repeatedly pronounced Nevada, Ne-vah-da, until a reporter covering the speech yelled, "The middle syllable should rhyme with the 'a' in gambling." Once an aide explained to the President what a syllable was and helped him count to two, the President interrupted his set speech with a story.
"Ah yes," the President said, "I remember gambling fondly."
"You know," he continued, "this really isn't my first visit to this state. Back in my National Guard days, I often came up here for the gambling and the prostitution."
"Yes," the President went on with a far-off look in his eye, a small smile playing on his lips, "the gambling and the prostitution were nice - oh so very nice - but I found that while I often came for the gambling and prostitution, I stayed for the drug use. Nevada, my fellow Americans, holds a place near and dear to my heart. That is why I am here today..."
President Bush then continued on with his prepared speech, pronouncing Nevada correctly for the remainder of his visit.