Laura Ingraham on Al Sharpton's visit to the White House: "I hope they nailed down all the valuables"

On the February 13 edition of her nationally syndicated radio show, discussing the February 12 Black History Month event at the White House, host Laura Ingraham noted that "[President Bush] welcomed [Rev.] Al Sharpton to the White House," and added: "I hope they nailed down all the valuables." Ingraham then aired an audio clip of a portion of Bush's comments at the event and remarked, referring to Sharpton: "I can't believe they let him through the front door there at Black History Month."

From the February 13 edition of Talk Radio Network's The Laura Ingraham Program:

INGRAHAM: Oh, did anyone see President Bush at the White House? This was interesting: He was celebrating African-American History Month, and he made that comment, saying, you know, "People shouldn't play around or -- with nooses," and that was clearly a reference to, you know, all the problem that, you know, appearance of nooses has caused in this country. And he talked about that. And then, he welcomed Al Sharpton to the White House. I hope they nailed down all the valuables.

[begin audio clip]

BUSH: Yes, sir. Reverend Al Sharpton and his wife Dominique. Reverend, it's good to see you.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Daughter!

BUSH: Daughter! Daughter!

[audience laughter]

BUSH: I don't get 'em right all the time. But thank you for coming. And Dominique, you're sure a lot prettier than your father.

[end audio clip]

INGRAHAM: He kind of digs -- he digs himself deeper and deeper. Well, you never know with these newfangled marriages. You know, people are 30- or 40-year age difference -- you don't know who's who anymore.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Lame-duck president, but never too late for a Bush-ism.

INGRAHAM: No. Never too late for, you know, a moment of humor. I can't believe they let him in the front door there at Black History Month. Oh my -- couldn't they find other people to invite to the White House, I mean, this is just legitimizing Al Sharpton. What is that?

[begin audio clip]

BUSH: Reverend Al Sharpton and his wife Dominique. Reverend, it's good to see you.

AUDIENCE MEMBER: Daughter!

BUSH: Daughter! Daughter!

[audience laughter]

[end audio clip]

INGRAHAM: Oh, God, no. It's just -- this is why, you know, we're gonna miss President Bush. It's just very sad. There's an interesting piece in The New York Times -- serious matter -- about the surge.

—M.B.B.