Clinton Gets Gentle Jabs at Birthday Party
WASHINGTON — For all the times they’ve jogged along too early in the morning and helped him cheat at golf, President Clinton’s military aides and Secret Service agents took gentle revenge Friday at an early celebration of the boss’ birthday.
About 1,000 Clintonites, from Cabinet secretaries to mail-room clerks, crowded the South Lawn to sing “Happy Birthday,” eat cake and poke fun at the president.
What does a dutiful aide respond when Clinton yells from the fairway to ask which golf ball is his? “The ball closest to the hole, sir!” his cadre of military aides shouted in unison.
His Secret Service detail debuted a “jog pod” for maximum protection while running: a mobile pup tent surrounded by armed counter-assault agents garbed in black.
Clinton, who turns 51 Tuesday, said he appreciated the roasting and didn’t know how to return the gesture. Pausing, he turned to the military aides and cracked: “But you guys won’t be generals.”
Clinton was treated to an early birthday because the first family will be privately vacationing on Martha’s Vineyard, Mass., starting next week.
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