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White House: Ken Who?

July 5, 2006

Former Enron CEO Ken Lay died of a massive coronary at his Colorado vacation home. His doctors said the coronary was unexpected. But most long-time media watchers will put it down to just one thing: stress from being convicted of multiple felony counts in connection with the collapse of Enron.

Ken Lay and Enron were one of President Bush's largest political contributors and Bush called Lay "Kenny Boy." The two were known to be good friends. But the White House has remained silent about Lay's passing. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow inexpertly fielded reporters' questions about Lay.

Q: What has been the President's reaction to the death of Ken Lay?

SNOW: I really have not talked to him about it. I will give you my own personal reaction, which is that when somebody dies, you leave behind those that grieve, and I think that they deserve our compassion. But — I don’t know, what do you think would be the appropriate thing to say?

Q: I do not know. I don't know him. The President was his friend, not me.

SNOW: No, the President has described Ken Lay as an acquaintance, and many of the President's acquaintances have passed on during his time in office. Again, I think that it is sort of an interesting question but not answerable by me.

Somehow, I don't think that President Bush will be making an appearance at the funeral. In fact, I expect him to have a prior engagement halfway across the globe on that day.

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