President jokes about getting 'his groove back'

George W Bush joked about possible 'pop-up books' for his political memoirs at the annual black-tie press dinner yesterday, according to reports.

The president joined in with the traditional self-mocking and began his speech by saying that last year his approval rating was "in the 30s", his nominee for the US supreme court "had withdrawn" and his vice-president "had shot someone"; he joked "ah, those were the good ol' days", according to the BBC.

The president's deputy chief of staff, Karl Rove, even managed to perform a rap which had most people on their feet.

In relation to the president's memoirs, Mr Bush said that former president Bill Clinton had written a 10,000 word piece.

According to the BBC, Mr Bush said: "I'm thinking of something really fun and creative for mine. You know, maybe a pop-up book."

The traditional annual event began in 1924 under president Calvin Coolidge and is attended by media personalities, celebrities and politicians.