So it WILL be Ronald Reagan impressions and nothing else

In follow-up to the news that believed-dead comedian Rich Little will headline this year's White House Correspondents' Association Dinner, Little has now revealed that he does not intend to even make fun of President Bush or mention Iraq, because of concern within the White House about the beating they've been taking and a repeat of the stomping Stephen Colbert delivered last year:

Little said organizers of the event made it clear they don't want a repeat of last year's controversial appearance by Stephen Colbert, whose searing satire of President Bush and the White House press corps fell flat and apparently touched too many nerves.

"They got a lot of letters," Little said Tuesday. "I won't even mention the word 'Iraq.'"

Little, who hasn't been to the White House since he was a favorite of the Reagan administration, said he'll stick with his usual schtick -- the impersonations of the past six presidents.

"They don't want anyone knocking the president. He's really over the coals right now, and he's worried about his legacy," added Little, a longtime Las Vegas resident.

The WHCA has since denied giving Little explicit instructions not to mention Iraq or mock the President, but it's pretty clear Little was under the impression that's what he should avoid and was chosen because he will instead stick to safe non-critical material. Probably non-funny too.

From Attytood via Peachtree Screed