The feeling of excitement and anticipation among the crowd was powerful. It was as if they had seen a ghost, or better yet, the president of the United States. For a moment, they were in the presence of the commander in chief … sort of.

During the 21st Bakersfield Business Conference, the first “surprise guest” of the day was none other then the President Bush. But after a few moments, it was obvious. This was an impersonator pulling the audience’s leg.

Combined with his rare breed of humor, comedian Steve Bridges helped to lighten up the audience with an impersonation of the president, including statements about Medicare reform, religion, and the war in Iraq.

“We were the first country to put a man on the moon. We’ll be the first country to put a man on Mars. God willing, that man will be Osama bin Laden,” Bridges said.

While discussing various Medicare reform bills forthcoming at the federal level, Bridges said, “This will help all the seniors… and senoritas.”

Bridges, comedian and political impersonator, has been entertaining the masses across the nation with his interesting brand of comedy, while making audiences believe that he is someone else.

His appearance at the Bakersfield Business Conference was no exception.

“I’m a simple man but a smart man. I don’t like to show it because when I do, people starting talking to me really fast,” said Bridges, while poking fun at Bush and his often criticized intellect.

At the beginning of Bridges’ act, the audience appeared convinced he was the president.

When asked if she thought the impersonator to be the real deal, Joan Hadden, five-year attendee of the conference from the Bay Area, said “Oh, for a brief moment I believed it to be George W. Bush. Then I began to think to myself, ‘No, no that certainly can’t be.’ ”

In a crowd of mostly conservatives, some might have thought Bridges’ performance was disrespectful of the president.

But Hayden said, “It was gentle humor and done in good fun.”

Conference attendee Darlyn Baker said, “No, I didn’t find this presentation to be in any way disrespectful to our president. After all, they do say that the best form of flattery is to try to have someone imitate you.”

Throughout the conference venue, the feeling felt toward Bridges was that his presentation was merely another form of comedy and should not be taken as disrespectful toward the president.

“Conservatives have a sense of humor too!” said conference attendee Linda Weststuneyn.