Keeping the 3,100 realtors amused until the arrival of President Bush, the projection screens offered facts of trivia that were curious. Among them were such bon mots as "Rats can't throw up," "Snakes are immune to their own poison," and "Camel milk does not curdle." Then the crowd was treated to John Phillips Sousa recordings.

Suddenly President Bush appeared, ready to charm the crowd that was wondering, what the Federal Government's next move might be against the real estate industry. If attendees thought that the president would address such recent issues as the DOJ investigation into Internet data policies, or banks in real estate, they were disappointed.

Instead, President Bush used the opportunity to promote his social security programs. He opened with a joke. So he comes back from his trips overseas, where even President Putin had heard that Laura Bush was now the Comedienne-in-Chief, and that when staffers knew that he was going to speak to the NAR association, he was told, "Don't start looking for a house yet. You have 3½ more years!"

He then began with his agenda: The government's responsibility is to keep the country "prosperous, safe and free." He will also continue in his unrelenting quest to spread democracy throughout the world. "Free societies are peaceful societies," he said. "Europe is now peaceful because of the spread of democracy."

He continued, "Our real-a-tors play a crucial role in the American experience -- owning a home. One role of government is to promote ownership. Last year we set a record: 69 percent of Americans own a home. There are 74 million, homeowners. The country is halfway to it's goal -- to increase minority home ownership; to double it by 2010."

These were his only remarks about homeownership and real estate issues.

He also addressed very briefly, medical liability reform, gas prices, and developing new energy sources.

The majority of his speech covered social security; in which he urged the Realtor audience to contact their congresspeople to address this issue.

He promoted a new concept called "Progressive Indexing," in which the lowest paid workers' benefits would be tied to a wage index, while the highest paid workers' benefits would be tied to an inflation index. This would allow lower paid workers' benefits to grow faster. The plan is for younger workers to grow their benefits because fewer workers will be supporting a greater number of retirees.

Younger workers would also be able to contribute to a "Thrift Savings Plan," in which part of their social security benefits would go into an investment account. "If the Thrift Savings Plan is good enough for Congress, it's good enough for every American who works, and pays, into the Social Security System."

He abruptly ended his speech with a wave and a grin, said, "Thank you for having me," and away he went.

The Realtors gave the president a standing ovation. And if they had expected more, it was not obvious from the enthusiastic whoops and clapping.

Published: May 16, 2005

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Blanche Evans is the award-winning senior editor of Realty Times, the Internet's leading independent real estate news service. She is featured daily on the Realty Times Video Network in the "Realty Viewpoint" segment. Blanche has been named one of the "25 Most Influential People In Real Estate" by REALTOR Magazine, and has been twice recognized as a "notable." In 2005, she was named "Top Reporter Covering the NAR" by Delahaye-Bacon's. Blanche is a renowned author of five real estate books. Her newest, Bubbles, Booms and Busts: Make Money In Any Real Estate Market, McGraw-Hill, was rave-reviewed by The New York Times. She was also selected from hundreds of real estate experts to contribute to Donald Trump's book, Trump: The Best Real Estate Advice I Ever Received: 100 Top Experts Share Their Strategies, Rutledge Hill Press, and is featured on page 68. Order Now Review - Honors In 2006, Blanche was selected among scores of candidates to author two consumer real estate guidebooks for the National Association of Realtors: The NAR Guide to Home Buying, and The NAR Guide to Home Selling, Wiley & Sons. She is currently planning two new books for the NAR and its members.       Known for her keen insight into real estate industry issues and for her ability to make complex subjects easy to understand, Blanche is a sought-after keynote and continuing education speaker. Real estate organizations from MLSs, to brokerages, to franchisors, to associations hire her to provide up-to-the-minute analysis of real estate industry news and advice on how to improve revenues. Her passionate delivery, peppered with stinging wit, is a huge hit with audiences and fans. Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors, Blanche Evans, Richard Courtney, president 2007, GRAR "The GNAR membership meeting last week featured Blanche Evans as the keynote speaker. Her comments and insights resonated extremely well with those in attendance and we have had many requests for copies of her PowerPoint Presentation. She was a terrific part of the membership meeting and convention program!" - Don Klein, CEO Greater Nashville Association of Realtors Coverage from WSMV, Nashville - 8-14-2007 That Interview Guy - Get Inside The Head Of Today's Generation 2007 AE Institute Session - To purchase 2006 AE Institute Session - Parts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 HouseValues Mastermind call - Parts 1 2 Blanche's fireside chat with Jeremy Conaway, HAR - Click here. To contact Blanche, email her at . For more articles by Blanche, click here.