George Bush says "read my lips"

CNN has the good news:

“President Bush’s condition has improved, so he has been moved today from the intensive care unit to a regular patient room at The Methodist Hospital to continue his recovery,” his office said in a statement distributed by spokesman Jim McGrath.

I’ve said this before, but it’s worth repeating: while this project is about departed presidents, I do not – do not – want any of the living former presidents to, um, change their status until after I’ve visited all the graves and written my book and become famous. For one thing, a presidential death would ruin the introduction I’m writing, which will describe the funeral and memorial process. For another, I would have to drop everything – work, family, whatever – and try to figure out how to get to the funerals. Yes, funerals – because there would almost certainly be services of some sort in Washington, followed by burial services in the president’s home state. Not that it’s all about me, but from my perspective that’s not an ideal scenario. Finally, if one of the presidents dies that precludes me from interviewing them for this project, which would be a shame.

President Bush, you’ve been sick before, and this latest issue kept you in the hospital for more than month. And the germs will push you to get sick, and you’ll say no, and they’ll push, and you’ll say no, and they’ll push again, and you must say to them, “Read my lips: no new illnesses.”

That’s all I ask – that, and to keep wearing all the cool socks.